I spent a little more than a week in 38-40 C degrees fever, without being able to keep anything inside. So, I really can’t say that I was all charged up coming home… =)
Category: Personal
Charging The Batteries
Something needed to be done. We decided to go to Thailand to charge up the batteries! Even with the loss of savings for THE trip.
Moving In Together
Two persons and one wolf successfully moved from places A & B to the place C. Next challenge: Ikea. Vol 3.
The Summer Holiday Adventure 2017, part 2
The trip was a success in every way. The world got a lot smaller. At the beginning crossing the Gulf of Finland seemed like journey, but on the way back it was a short swing compared with the normal day trips on the way.
Moral Support From The Real Sailors
Last weekend we went to Pentala, Espoo for a Finnish Open Sea Sailor’s seminar to learn from the more experienced sailors.
Well Planned Is Totally Undone
Long lists were made on what skills and information we must acquire before taking off. Also endless list were made on improvements that should be done on the boat and all the gear we still need to purchase.
Buyer’s remorse hits in the face
After the first rush of emotions had settled, it was time to get take a serious look at what I had bought. The first thing on my mind was the sheer size of the boat. Everything felt huge after the old 7,7 meters long Maxi 77. One could walk straight up and the mast was almost as thick as a man’s waist. And I must admit it felt good have your boat at the dock of the big boats … =)
What, instead, began to bother quite quickly, was how alone I discovered that I was with the boat. Everything was new, starting from where the batteries could be found, how to start the engine, how to put all ropes etc.
The problem was that the former owner of the boat had Alzheimer’s disease and could not help at all, and his wife did not know anything about the boat. Things had to be learned the hard way. For example, to find the batteries, I had to open the floors and follow the wires. Finally, the batteries were found beneath the base of the storage space underneath the table …
I felt as though I was the anti midas.
The second big thing that caused the buyer’s remorse was the condition of everything. A few out of use also meant a lack of maintenance. For example, some of the railings were bent, the ropes were poor, the grommet for the electrics came off after touching it, as well as the drawers, the water pump was on half a minute and stopped working, the toilet did not empty etc. etc. I felt as though I was the anti midas.
At the same time, I was fixing the old boat for sale condition, so things moved on slowly. When there was no one interested in buying the old boat, the good drive was changing into despair.
Jussi
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Liberta, love at first sight?
In the spring of 2016 my online search alert brought up, after years of scanning, a boat that was meeting my criteria AND was suitable for my wallet. I immediately rang up and was on my way to take a look at it. And that’s where this story began.
The boat was an aluminum Van de Stadt 34 which met the criteria set for the boat: more than 10 meters long, engine 20 hp or more, standing height within the entire boat, separately closed bow and aft cabin. Also, thinking of long distance sailing, I was fond of aluminum boats, of course having drooled after Jimmy Cornell’s Ovni and Garcia.
The owner of the boat had the Alzheimer’s disease, and therefore the boat had been out of use for several years. There were a lot of things that were in need of care and attention. But most importantly, hull, sails and the engine were in good condition. The inside and the outside surfaces were in weak condition, to put it mildly. Seeing beauty in the middle of chaos asked the right character. Also, the comments from my friends were not encouraging, on the contrary.
Balancing with reason and emotions… The fact was that the reason part said never, while there was a strong yes coming from the emotion part. In the end deal was made. Spring and boat fever makes a man crazy! 🙂
Thinking of the condition of the boat, the thought in my mind was “Opportunity often presents itself in work clothes.”
Jussi
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The Adventure Begins!
Welcome to our sailing blog! This is a story about two dreamers trying to fulfill their dreams. Welcome aboard!
