I think I've been snookered

[HoffaLives]

'Cause I bought the myth of simple life aboard. I'm seriously thinking of selling my beloved CS 36T, which I've owned a paltry three months.
So here's the sob story. I'm a writer, and the more junk/trouble/money problems in my life, the less art/love/time for what's really important. So after fulfilling my biological imperative, we pushed the kids out, sold the whopper of a headache house, and paid off four-fifths of debts. Compared to the rest of 99% of our compatriots we are well off, living downtown with a lovely waterfront view with minimal expenses.

I thought I had found my dream.

And then that damn rope slipped off the bow. Nothing stupid like running onto rocks or blowing up the engine or anything like that, just a poorly flaked length of rope slithering off unnoticed in a chop.

After all the dust clears, even with insurance, it looks like we could have as much as 4 grand worth of stuff we will have to pay for, as we found previous crummy repairs that need to be set right. The insured portion could be in the range of 10 grand.

Just a f***** rope.

We have to come up with the ten grand, and then submit receipts to the insurance company. Could take a few weeks to a month to see a cheque.

So at this point we have to provide 15 thousand dollars to take care of a prop wrap. If I had run her aground (like the other CS 36T in the yard) what would I have to come up with then? $40,000.00? $50,000.00?

And I haven't even begun on the part of where the hell do you live while your home is pulled apart for 6 weeks?.

I'm not sure about those who follow this forum, but I'm not a retired boomer with a quarter million in his bank account to draw on when hell breaks loose. We are not impoverished by any means, and I've had a few previous boats and know they cost money, but this is insane. I left the heritage house behind because I was sick of the bills, and the sheer cost of living in the suburbs. But I've never been handed a bill for 15 grand before, not even anywhere close.

So where's the simple life in that?

I love sailing and I'll always own some kind of sailboat, but now I'm thinking do I even want to take this boat out again (when it's finally fixed) if an easy afternoon sail can set you back 15 grand or possibly much more? I don't know how people do it. No offense intended, but are most of us well-off folks pretending to be hippies or what?

I'm seriously thinking of selling this and buying and converting an old wooden troller or tug, and just leaving it tied up 99% of the time. Calming my sailing demons with a dinghy or small sloop.

Thoreau had it right when he said that most men lead lives of quiet desperation, and go to their graves with their song still in them. I'll be damned if that's gonna be me. I know what I want, and I'm afraid I haven't found it.

Maybe I'm not looking at it right (a definite possibility), but if so, I would sure like someone to show me how I've got it wrong.

[AjariBonten]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. But don't throw in the towel yet.....

I won't rub salt about boats being expensive, you know that and make it clear that you knew that before you made the leap.

I don't have any great wisdom to add; just wanted to send you a "chin-up"

Fred

[Valiente]

How is this different from rear ending an SUV into a BMW sports car? I feel for your situation, but in my world, cars are more expensive than boats in many situations.

At least a CS36T is a decent boat worth repairing...small comfort, maybe, but there it is.

[TrueBlue]

I know it's of no conciliation to your blues, but I think your writing style is a hoot.

[camaraderie]

Hoff...you gotta work out what feels best for yourself, but the "cheap" liveaboard life costs about double what you think it will because stuff happens.
BTW...you have a whack insurance co. or adjuster. The normal procedure is to get an estimate in writing and the insurance company approves and pays the yard directly in scheduled payments...generally 1/3 to start...etc.
There is no reason for you to be out of pocket anything but your deductible and whatever work is not covered by your policy.

Now get back to writin' and quitcher whinin'!! You need to make some bread!!(g)

[poopdeckpappy]

I'm lost, you had a dockline go OB and caused 15G's in damage ??, WTF happened ?? foul the prop and fired the motor ??

[SanderO]

Hoffa,

I feel your pain and all I can say is if you are in the Long Island Sound area you are more than welcome to sail with me.

My philosophy is to have little and end with a zero balance... come in with nothing and go out with nothing. Fortunately, I have no children to worry about... but not pleasure from them either.

I grew up in the burbs and knew I would not want to live there and deal with owning and maintaining... be a slave to property. Instead I have my little boat which if it survives me can be taken over by another sailor.

It's hard not to consume and acquire. Our society produces some fine stuff to own. But even my books I read and give away if they have no use. Let someone else use them.

I also have perfectly good stuff which has no value and I hate to put it in a dumpster. Things like a Loran. A friend who was a pilot died a few years back and before he did he gave me all sorts of pilot gear... which I have no use for. I just found a young man who wants to become a pilot so I gave him the lot. He was thrilled.

We are a wasteful lot and only in the last few years has this message even been heard. I hope you find the peace you deserve in your sunset.

Thankfully my boat is paid for and in good shape, and insured, but all it takes is one screw up and ... there but for the grace of god go I.

Fair winds

jef
sv shiva

[bestfriend]

Sorry to hear that Hoffa. I go through life learning lots of things by mistake. Luckily, I saw a buddy of mine tie all the lines to the pulpits when we went out one time. I said,"oh, I get it". But I am sure I will learn something else the hard and expensive way. It happens to everyone, and for the people it doesn't happen to, well they are just too uptight to be any fun. If you remember awhile back, I learned a docking lesson to the tune of several grand.
You could be right, maybe a tug or a ferry with a dinghy is the way to go, but right now don't do anything. Just fix what you've got, you've invested too much on a good plan to just change it all after a few months. You will lose way too much money. If you fix things, then decide on a clear head that its not right, then you can still do it. Rent a room while its getting fixed, treat yourself, have fun and enjoy it, or go on vacation.

[sailingdog]

Ouch... what insurance do you have that you've got a $4,000 deductible on a boat that is probably worth $80,000 on the outside. Most yatch policies I know of have a 1% or 1.5% deductible, not 5%. Also, is yours a liveaboard specific policy. Some of the liveaboards I know have a policy that pays for temporary housing if they're forced off the boat due to making covered repairs.

[mwrohde]

You've gotten lots of good and sound counsel regarding boats and insurance from the others. I'll take another course.

Don't do anything quickly or rashly. Everything seems worst sooner and better later. Doing nothing costs nothing. After a bit of time emotions will settle and cognitive thought will take over.

Don't throw away the dream because of a bad episode. You have taken a bold move in trying to live the dream. Stay the course and give the dream a chance to blossom.