After fielding several offers, we have sold the boat.

It's interesting listening to the questions.  Most people wanted to know about the "salvageable" equipment on the boat.  To be fair, I had listed most of it in the advertisement, thinking that the value of the boat was in the parts that could be salvaged and put to use. 

But mechanical things are greater than the sum of their parts.  I have had relationships with every car I have ever owned.  I know how far I can push them on a given day, depending on their mood.  Boats have "moods" in spades. 

Our first boat we named "No Regrets".  She was a center cockpit Irwin who had spent her time cruising Florida and the Bahamas before finding herself in a shipyard in Charleston, SC where she took a hurricane  on the hard.  When her previous owner found her, she was In a "state of disrepair", being filled with water and neglected.  I helped him rebuild her and was thrilled to see her loved and enjoyed once again.  After he decided he was no longer able to sail, I was rewarded with a sweetheart deal and we enjoyed her with our family.  One day, during one of the thunderstorms we have in this area, she was hit by lightning, ending our time together. Even after that, she still gave us one more cruise, uncomplaining,  I still miss her. 

So, I have had some experience with rebuilding a boat.  If I were younger and had a boat dock in my back yard, I would probably have a different mindset.  But my current mindset involves going cruising.  Now.

Still, it seems a shame that this beautiful boat should be dismembered for salvage.

I knew we had sold it to the right person when we went to meet him to do the paperwork.  His first question was "What did you do to her?"  I knew then that South Star would sail again.  I wish him (and her) all the best.

As for our part, we have our eye on another boat.  Survey and sea trials have uncovered some (not insurmountable) problems, so we'll see where it goes from here.  We should be back on track very soon.  

Thanks for all the well wishes.

Just a couple of loose ends, so you know we are making at least some progress.  We took a trip to Oriental to look at a couple of boats and try to get things moving on the sale of South Star.  While we were there we took the opportunity to settle an account.

Remember the story about the spatula lost to the briny deep while in the process of snow removal?  Well, here is the replacement...

...and safely back in the drawer at the clubhouse.  Now I can sleep at night.

And for those of you who were worried about the ship's mascot...

Clambake is recovering from extensive and invasive detox treatments.  He is currently resting and awaiting his next assignment.  He thanks everyone for all the well wishes.

We're still here. Thanks for all the good wishes and encouragement. 

We've been busy with family medical issues. Both my sister and Carol's have had major surgery.  Both were not surprises, as they were scheduled long in advance. Both are going (relatively) well. We knew in the beginning that we would basically be here at this time. The plan was to haul the boat and have work done on it during this time, so we are not really off schedule, except that we don't have a boat. 

Actually, we do have a boat. The insurance has settled, and taken their option of not taking possession of the boat.  What this mean to us is we have to sell the boat for salvage. 

Anyone want a boat project?  CHEAP?

We'll see where this goes from here. The broker who has our (likely) next boat listed seems to think he has a potential prospect. 

On another front, we have a grandson scheduled to arrive on Friday, unless he decides to come before then. In the great scope and sweep of human existence, everything else pales in comparison. 

We will be back, with another boat, living the dream.