GL: Loop boat suggestions, ideal loop boat

[Greg Schoenberg]

Thoroughly enjoyed the read, Bill, including the links.

There are two ways to learn, either by direct experience or by the
experience of others.

We've been experiencing the downside of owning a large boat, having
purchased a 30' Carver two months ago for the purpose of chartering it in
the summer and using it in the off season to explore Puget Sound.  What
we've *experienced* so far is the huge cost of maintenance, moorage, and
difficulties in manuevering it.  It has a covered flybridge with boxkite
characteristics in wind and tide.  However, it is a very comfortable
boat....one we could eventually live on for a season.  Consequently, we will
likely keep it, chartering it in the summers and dry storing it in the
winter.  In seven years, when we retire, it will be ours completely, perhaps
to live on during the summer.

However, we are learning from your experience too, Bill.  Recently, we
purchased a 2nd boat similar to your C-Dory, a 22 foot Campion with alaskan
bulkhead.  Has a galley, porta-potty, and V-berth, 4.3 I/O Volvo duo prop.
To haul it, we just purchased an inexpensive Camper Van to haul it to the
Sound or Columbia River destinations.  If the weather is rotten, then we can
stay comfortably in the RV or not take the boat at all....just choose a
landlocked place on the map and go.

http://tinyurl.com/28jp4z

In 7 years, our youngest will graduate and receive luggage for her
graduation gift.  :>  At that point, we plan on semi-retiring, running my
insurance business from the road while nomadically seeing the country, on
land and sea.  We especially look forward to doing the Loop.  Experiencing a
taste of this now, on our own, or vicariously through others, will hopefully
prepare us.

Sure has been fun so far!

-Greg Schoenberg
Kalama, Washington