Alley and I are ruined, we fucked up..

[denbot]

We closed the deal on the Westsail 32 today. I took the day off to get the paperwork done, and motor her from the boatyard to the next marina south for some priority refitting.

We are swinging between being very happy, then dumbfounded on the audacity of us taking on such a huge project.

The boat is a very stout, capable, world cruising sailboat. The hull is sound, she was built with a custom extra 1000lbs of ballast in her keel, and the engine we had installed is still in the break in stage.

I piloted her for the first time today, with helped from the former owner to a slip in a marina 10 miles south. I did not sink my boat, or the boat on the next slip, but that was touch and go. Our new/old boat displaces 20,500lbs and does not slow for ANYTHING, and true to her model type, "steers like a loaf of bread". Of course the slip we were assigned was on the far inside, and super tight fitting. One of the committee members that watched me come in said he could not believe we got out of that unscratched. He is convinced that the Marina God's favor us.

Holyshit, so much for me eating lunch in restaurants for the next 5 years.

Presenting the soon to be renamed "XXXXXXXX"



More pictures this weekend.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear denbot!

You guys aren't ruined! You have a wonderful new boat, and you will have a ball!

You might have to be careful financially.....so what?

Enjoy the ride!

:hi:

[Richard Steele]

2. Why so "Down"? The Marina Gods favor you.

Sounds like something that should get you feeling OPTOMISTIC
towards whatever is yet to come.

[bluesbassman]

3. Congratulations denbot!

Glad it worked out. Fair winds and calm seas to you both.

[BlueIris]

4. Nice. nt

[JCMach1]

5. Congrats on the new baby!

:bounce:

[gmoney]

6. I'm impressed you can steer it at all on dry land.

Enjoy!

BTW, I have an extra 1000 lbs ballast in my keel.

[lunatica]

7. With a little practice you'll become a god of your marina

Boat owners watch out for each other very carefully. In a good way if you're not an asshole, but even if you are they have their boats to care for.

[Rabrrrrrr]

8. Dude, if you have Neptune on your side, you're set!

A beautiful boat she is! May you have many years together.

After reading Miles Smeeton's books, I REALLY want to spend a year sailing around the world some time.