Howdy from RI

[NightWing]

Just wanted to say hi since I'll be here a lot.
It looks like I'll be picking up a used Hunter 30 and sailing
out of the Boston area to south east RI in the next few weeks
and setting up house keeping for the winter. I've had 2 other
sailboats and spend many many days out in Fishers Island Sound
every summer with enough boating friends to start our own navy
but this liveaboard in the winter is going to be a real learning
opportunity. Ya only live once!
Send me some encouragement.
I'm going to be the only liveaboard there.
Oh... and I'm shopping for a heater and a stove if you know of any.

Victor / Mystic
(Soon to be Westerly)

[WanderingStar]

Good luck, be careful. Keep some contacts ashore in case of really cold weather. Don't sweep the snow off of your decks, it's insulation. (Think Igloo). Beware of your bilge pump hose freezing from the outside in. (Happened to me) Don't worry too much about ice around the hull, as long as you're not exposed to moving ice. Whatever heat you use, you'll need some kind of ventilation to deal with condensation. Eat a lot, keeping warm requires calories.

[NightWing]

I appreciate your input.

I have plenty of places to stay around here if /when / while
it gets real frosty around here.

re: snow, I'm surprised people don't just cover thier deck with hay and a black tarp under the plastic greenhouse. By March the boat would be heating it self.

re: Ice I'll be running bubblers.

My concern is turning more towards transiting the Cape Cod
Canal and Buzzards Bay this time of year, more than the
actual purchase of the boat. The days are getting short and
cold and that's a pretty good hike. My final scrutiny
of the boat this week end will be even more extensive.
Figuring out what I'll need to bring for extra safety equipment,
ground tackle, nav lights, impeller, fuel filter, on and on.
With time getting short it's all a bit un-settling.
I'm looking for a little breathing room to give it all a
dispassionate consideration. Sea trial is Sunday and a final
decision should be made soon after. GULP!

[WanderingStar]

Sounds like you're being thorough. Take your time and pick your days coming home. I brought a boat down the Sound in November. Weather, work, and mechanical problems all conspired to make me do it in two legs. Don't rush, find crew if you can.