[PUP] Costs of boats

[Robert Phillips]

I agree with Bob Austin; there are endless boats out there that will  
make a trip to the Caribbean or anywhere around North America if you  
just turn the key and go.  Some may be more comfortable than others,  
but if you don't go you won't know.

I cruised my Alura 30, now Mainship Pilot 30, to Tortola, down through  
the Bahamas and then straight from Grand Turk to San Juan.  It was an  
older boat that I picked up for less than 30k in 1993, and had less  
than 40k in it when I sold it.  Had a wonderful trip and would do it  
again if anyone asked me to go.   My wife and I, with our two  
daughters (pre-teen), cruised that boat all over the northern  
Caribbean for six years and often had family come join us.  Sure, it  
was camping some times, but we went places in that boat we can now  
only reminisce about given the much deeper draft of our 60 footer.

Back in my younger days, mid to late 30's, I used to go camping in the  
Bahamas and the Keys in my 20' center console.  Plenty of trips across  
the Gulfstream and out to Tortugas in that boat; its what I had and I  
wanted to go.

My parents cruised their 62' trawler by them selves out of Vancouver  
right up until Dad died at 76, so age shouldn't be a deterrent; you  
just don't push it beyond your capabilities and comfort level.

Updating electronics is just buying two or three hand held GPS's, new  
charts, a good set of dividers and a parallel rule, a couple of hand  
held VHF's, cell phone, all you need for 1K or less.  Don't get caught  
in the trap of trying to make it "perfect", or you'll never go  
anywhere.  Oh ya, a case of filters is always nice.

There are incredible deals out there right now and more will be around  
when prepaid storage charges run out in the spring.  Even if you can't  
do the work your self, there are lots of marginally employed "boat"  
people willing to moonlight for a reasonable rate.  You could probably  
even trade boat time for labor.

But the key is you have to do it!  Stop dreaming / talking about it  
and just jump in and do it!

Bob Phillips,
Another Asylum, Tortola, BVI