Sold The Blue Bayou

[magnawake]

I dont know where to start....The thought that the day you sell a boat could be a happy day does not apply. We are very sad to say the least. The whole selling procedure with the broker and potential buyers turned out to be a horrible thing. It was very hard to sell a moving target. As most of you know we mostly live on the boat as we travel the East Coast and work at Nuclear power plants. When not working we travel the keys and other places. That moving target is not good to sell a boat. Finally we left the boat at the brokers marina which finally got an offer. The lower offer and then finding more wrong with the boat accepting an even lower price didnt set well with me or the new buyer. So really nobody was thrilled in the end except the broker. I basically sold our boat because i wanted to travel farther to panama, BVI, etc. A sailboat makes sense, not a 30 yr old high maintenance MY. Our 43 MY was the perfect boat for us to do what we did for almost 6 yrs. I have no regrets what so ever. First let me say I had no previous experience with a large boat. I started reading the HOF before I purchased our boat. I even called Pascal on the phone and talked about the 43. I made my choice based on getting needed help from this HOF site. I got all the help I could ask for with problems and such even more. I have met good friends and it seemed every marina we went to I met people I knew. Its a very small cruising world. I would say I owe the HOF and the people here everything when talking about our success cruising. The things we saw and experienced were priceless. The memories again priceless. I hope people out there would use their old Hatts too and not just dock queens. They are great boats and put Tiawanese trawlers to shame. The biggest plus in an Hatt is the HOF. I am totally grateful for all the help received and again words cannot begin to express. I still cannot imagine being boatless. We live in a strange situation, working 12 hrs per day 6 days per week. Its was very hard (if not impossible) to keep up our boat in tip top condition as I wanted. Working 3 months, then cruising 3 months didnt leave time to fix things. Now, I would like to keep cruising, but go to the dark side (sail boat). A 36 ft boat with NO TEAK !!!. I plan on keeping it for a few yrs and cruise around even farther. For ICW and coastal stuff the 43 MY was perfect in every way. I didnt want to subject our 43 to oceans greater than 5 ft, heck 2-3 was a challenge on the beam. I guess I have drug this post out far enough. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you people on this HOF site.

 

[Boatsb]

a 36 foot sailboat has as much room inside as a similar sized center console. Its going to be tough to live in such a small space.

 

[Dan Mapes]

A 36 footer? People do it in the Bahamas all the time. However, going farther than the Bahamas in a 36 might not work out well. I'd be thinking 40+ feet if I was considering destinations like the BVI or Panama Canal.

However it works out Pate. Glad we met, and continued success.

 

[magnawake]

People go around he world in a 36. We spend most of our time Kayaking and sitting on the sundeck. Very little time spent inside the boat, well except for sleeping and watching DVD's. No Panama canal though. I like the old heavy pearsons and irwins. They remind me of the old Hatts, strong and solid. Not so fast but built tough. We are not going to be spending as much time on this boat. If I were I would prolly get a 40's boat. The 43 MY was really too big for us.

 

[carolinacoast]

For true ocean sailing crossings a vessel at of least 41' would be my choice. Some cargo vessels set their radar alarms at the size of containers (2TEU's) - 40'.
I sailed to Tortola from Charleston years ago in a 32' and saw the barnacles on the waterline of the passing cargo ship about 200' off. No one in the radio room ever answered.
When you go 7 and they go 16+, there is not much you can do. Haven't forgotten.

 

[Boatsb]

I've been refitting a 38 Morgan with electronics and that's just too small to have more than 2 people aboard if you want to move. Nothing is easy to get to and sto rage is tight. I could not see more than 3 or 4 days aboard being pleasant.

 

[Artzco]

I've been refitting a 38 Morgan with electronics and that's just too small to have more than 2 people aboard if you want to move. Nothing is easy to get to and sto rage is tight. I could not see more than 3 or 4 days aboard being pleasant.

That brings back memories. My first deep water sailing was on a 38 Morgan back in the '70s and spent a month with the new owner shaking it out. Not a lot of room but it handled great in storms. Rum and ladies with tiny bikinis---those were the days.

Back when you could carry most anything on a plane, we flew out of Atlanta on Eastern with a large bag of anchor chain under the seat.

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

Wow, Fully remember meeting you here in Fernandina Beach a few years ago... You have/had a great looking boat... Good luck on your next adventure

 

[rwappleton]

Pate,
Best of luck with your new quest and don't be a stranger here. However be prepared for the abuse!!!!

Best Regards,

Russ Appleton

 

[Scarlett]

We sailed halfway around the world(Mexico, South Pacific.,New Zeland, Aus. Asia) sold boat in Tailand. 43 foot ex race boat I rebuilt, 14 years and loved it. Lots of world out there to see, have fun and anything around 40 feet is doable. John

 

[magnawake]

We sailed halfway around the world(Mexico, South Pacific.,New Zeland, Aus. Asia) sold boat in Tailand. 43 foot ex race boat I rebuilt, 14 years and loved it. Lots of world out there to see, have fun and anything around 40 feet is doable. John

I think BVI, ABC's, panama will suit me fine. I get tired of things quick. 3-5 years is all I can take. I got tired of the ICW real fast too. Loved town hopping down the ICW in NC outter banks. Maybe an RV in 5 yrs will be a plan too.

 

[Finalee]

Pate if the budget allows get a look at the 38 Lagoon cat. Plenty room and easy to handle. With an engine in each hull it handles great in the harbors too.
Good luck on your quest.