Eric said:
With you teaching me the basics of sailing and all, I figure I owe you more than a few beers. If you decide to head south and need an RV driver I might be able to help.
Eric - I hear ya, will be delighted to see you back in action on HG... good luck with finishing up. And, I'll keep that in mind (still have to sort all those things out a establish a timeline). BTW - glad you got something out of the experience - you'll never owe me anything, simply when you get your own boat and start doing - do the same and pay forward - that is what sailing is all about IMHO.
Sab said:
Sounds like we are on the same path...we are just waiting for the house to sell and I think we are good to go...but who knows how long that will take.
Sab- thanks, you know that was what I came out with as well on the cost analysis. Chula Vista - I am glad has remained like it has for the years. One of the nicer things about the whole San Diego area is that it has drastically improved since I was last living there in the 80's. I was down there last year when I had to do a tech conference and drove the Airstream down (during the big wildfire at that) - I was simply amazed at the renovations SD had done with the waterfront and the city in general. Didn't experience the smog that was present back in the 80's even with the wildfires going. I think SD is one of the less known "activity filled" waterfronts and beautifully landscaped (well they do not get the credit they deserve I think - beats Seattle by a mile or so I think). All things considered - definitely can get that free tanning done down there.
How is the new boat purchase coming along - btw? Consider renting in the meantime and hire a property manager. It is going to to be tough selling right now but rent market is still strong. My view on that is - if you have been sitting on property for the last 6 months on the market - it is easier to to sell to an investor (which are the only real folks purchasing currently) if there is an active tenant and therefore a source of income).
The housing market in Seattle will hit even lower in the next 6-8 months with all the lay-offs occurring in the area(s). If you can swing the renting - at least you can hold onto the assett until the economy in the area (I give it 1.5 yrs before it first starts a liberally moderate but not as much of one as wanted - uptick).
david said:
Jody.. I hate to say it, but your boat is worth a lot more up here than down there....
David - not quite sure that would be true. Having only one of two of this model in the US - as long as I keep her maintained the price should still be the same, and when and if I sell her (not any time soon) - it being a unique boat will target those (like me) that do not want to own a typical brand of boat that every other pier has one sitting. Especially with all the upgrades and the likes...
CharlieCobra said:
I hear ya on the freeze Jody. My gig I've been on for almost 5 yrs ends on March 30th. I'm looking out there too.
Dude - I heard the news and so sorry - at least they gave you some advance warning of sorts. I know that that however is not even part of the picture considering all the recent stuff you have been through as of late. Seems like everyone I talk with lately the same fate. Hopefully your arrangement with the barn for "Oh Joy" will not be effected to much. I'll give you a buzz perhaps this weekend if I get out of my funk a bit. At any rate - we need to hook up and get you out on "HG" here in the next few months before (or if) I make the move to an area with non-fake palm trees (if that happens - palm trees may have been removed due to some new lumber shortage and discovery that palm fibre makes better composites than balsa).
SDJohn said:
Two years ago the Harbor Island and Shelter Island marinas were full. It's different now - for example, there are now ten empty 32 foot slips on my dock in Harbor Island.
Thanks for the intel - I had read about the new facilities and checked into it, but they are way more pricier than the other areas and probably rightly so. However, with the new CA tax hikes, things might change but then again maybe not. Mission Bay does have live-aboard as if you go with the hotel chain marinas (and can handle the sticker shock), in their favor they offer "to the boat butler/ room service...". I think there is a 3 month wait list, a credit check extraordinaire, and a minimum 2K a month rental agreement...but it can be found...
Adam said:
You know you could always come back north for the summers. Just sayin.
Yes, that is always a possibility. One thing that does entice me about it the journey (and scares the bee-jesus out of me) is one finally making that decision and doing it (moving is always hard when you finally feel you are established), and the whole transitting the the Pacific Ocean. I am actually more intimidated by the latter as I do not have even remotely that experience although with both of my boats - the one thing I always concentrated with gear and upgrades to focus on.
Simon made it look a bit easy and I am sure considering my anal tendacies to check list through what should be required - that I am equipment-wise ready (now that my radar is mounted etc)... but the being outside the sight of land, I have yet not experienced on my own (naval experience doesn't count there sadly nor does fog)... It can be done and I have great confidence in my boat - especially with the lessons I gleaned from racing in really rough weather (and note to people reading and being self taught - if you are not racing in non-fair weather scenarios, you learn nothing more than fair sailing). That is the biggest hurdle I face when it comes down to the "Can I do it"....
If I missed anyone - my apologies...
At any rate - one of the advantages the SD area does offer if you are going to live aboard, is a fairly moderate climate and the cruising grounds can be a bit more varied. Between having a passport and all the South American countries - equally you have the transiting North (back to Seattle etc). Besides if going to go - with selling all out (literally)- not many places to do on the West Coast that are as moderate in weather and within easy reach out to travel to other places south of the border. Don't get me wrong - there are wonderful places in the PNW, but I would rather be complaining about sweating my butt off than the frost biting chill that comes most of the year (less the summer) up here.
Of course I have to talk out loud to kinda help make the decision. But, I always believe that it is the people that make the places and not the other way around. Being typically a "solo" sailor, The San Jauns etc as pretty as they are are not destinations for someone that seek sharing that experience with someone. It is easy to cruise the surrounding areas (around Seattle) because they are all weekend deals - not so much for going up further north. When I did Desolation Sound the past summer - what rocked was the excitement I had from people with me - it wasn't so much my taking in things as much as I was managing the wheel and only glimpsed at maybe 1/20 of what I could seen. But the experience was worthwhile because of the company that was kept... Not saying SD would be different - just saying... [debate if you must]..
I am not sure what is going to happen, as the moment occurs I turn 40 this weekend, feel like I lost all control. My boat is being held hostage by the boatyard upon their suddenly deciding to milk the cow dry instead of keeping to a strict budget and verbal agreement. The fact that I have to make the decision to sell now what I have and make the decision of what, why, where, and how to go / get to that next point in life next... It is the real world after-all... things happen, how you decide to navigate through are unique to every one of us....