Taking the Plunge

Someone appears to be an exquisite chef! Damn .....er... I mean ... darn that looks good.

Good luck on your great adventure, I can appreciate your excitement but beware the dream wrecker. The wife & I bought our trawler in Fla several years ago and like many before us fell squarely into the trap of the "getting it ready" phase. It's an affliction based on fear and uncertainty that results in excessive and unwarranted preparedness. ie:There is always one more project or upgrade to do before you can throw off the lines and go.

However, judging from your posts here I don't think this will be an issue for you folks. Best of luck!

Dear George and Betty Jo

I'm sure you understand that during this beginning of your adventure there is much to learn. All kinds of input will come your way from all sorts of "knowledgeable" folks. I am pleased to pass on what I feel and how I operate. Take all input with grains of salt... mine very much included! All in all, whatever you hear... YRMV!

May I interject [my] pre purchase and then purchase general rules of thumb:

1. Boat must be at least serviceable for minimum one full year from time of purchase before any repairs may become needed. That means, if upon survey a boat needs repairs - they must be completed before the purchase is actuated. With, appropriate financial alterations as necessary for the purchase to be completed.
2. Boat design, size, equipment etc... must meet with my pre "ordained" well written and thoroughly thought through requirements.
3. There must be an acceptable location to immediately begin docking or storing boat for extended period... up to years if required; preferably a covered berth with ample services and more than barley floating draft at low tide.
4. All money calculations for the next five years of boat ownership are within my budget.

That's just the beginning! Don't be scared But... Do Pray!!

Happy Boat-Cheer Daze! - Art

Greetings,
Mr./Ms. K. Looks like tarted up oysters to me. Oysters Rockefeller on the far left perhaps and Moses only knows what the rest are. Sorry Mr. fr. there's only ONE way to eat good oysters IMO. Live, cold and raw.

RT Firefly said:

Greetings,
Mr./Ms. K. Looks like tarted up oysters to me. Oysters Rockefeller on the far left perhaps and Moses only knows what the rest are. Sorry Mr. fr. there's only ONE way to eat good oysters IMO. Live, cold and raw.

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Please, RT - By live do you mean yourself?

Once shell is sliced wide open I do not believe any shell food (oyster included) has life remaining. Recently-Dead, Cold and Raw - Yummy, with a special seafood sauce! Hard shell clams too... breathed in clear salt water for 24 hrs first.

Greetings,
Mr. A. By live, I mean not steamed, grilled, poached, or fricasseed. Now I suppose it's necessary for those on the west coast to put on a "special seafood sauce" but I've NEVER found any benefit, tastewise, to adding anything to a good oyster.
My personal preference is a Virginica oyster from the Northeast. The brininess and crisp finish is much preferred to the flatter tasting and metallic finish of most west coast species I've had occasion to autopsy. The exception is the Kumamoto with it's buttery texture and mild finish. I suppose anything else would warrant a slathering of that "special seafood sauce". The Olympia, for instance, definitely needs something to kill that sometimes harsh metallic aftertaste.
I will confess to adding a few drops of Tabasco or lemon to the occasional oyster but I usually eat the first 5 or 6 dozen neat.

"The exception is the Kumamoto with it's buttery texture and mild finish"

Yesssssss. So damn good. So RT, you are a lover of the raw oyster. Why does this not surprise me?

RT Firefly said:

Greetings,
Mr. A. By live, I mean not steamed, grilled, poached, or fricasseed. Now I suppose it's necessary for those on the west coast to put on a "special seafood sauce" but I've NEVER found any benefit, tastewise, to adding anything to a good oyster.
My personal preference is a Virginica oyster from the Northeast. The brininess and crisp finish is much preferred to the flatter tasting and metallic finish of most west coast species I've had occasion to autopsy. The exception is the Kumamoto with it's buttery texture and mild finish. I suppose anything else would warrant a slathering of that "special seafood sauce". The Olympia, for instance, definitely needs something to kill that sometimes harsh metallic aftertaste.
I will confess to adding a few drops of Tabasco or lemon to the occasional oyster but I usually eat the first 5 or 6 dozen neat.

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No wonder you relate so fully to coinsurer Groucho! Only, from what I understand, his "oyster" preference was not on half shell... but rather by full hip, alive, moist with absolutely no extra sauce.

George & Betty-Jo-congrats on the beginning of what should turn out to be a great adventure! Almost all of us have a boat that needs a prayer every now and again. It will be good to have you out on the water!

Welcome aboard George and Betty Jo- I sure envy you guys and wish you well on the search for your perfect ship!
RT- I believe the word we are searching for here is "raw". I am personally a BIG fan of raw oysters, my preference being dipped in a mixture of cocktail sauce, a good pinch of horse radish- and a few shots of Tabasco sauce.
Sorry- thread creep!


1983 Present 42 Sundeck
Twin Lehman 135's

RT Firefly said:

Greetings,
Mr./Ms. K. Looks like tarted up oysters to me. Oysters Rockefeller on the far left perhaps and Moses only knows what the rest are. Sorry Mr. fr. there's only ONE way to eat good oysters IMO. Live, cold and raw.

Click to expand...

That was actually the very first time we ever ate a cooked oyster. We had our doubts but they were quite good. Our fav is still raw as well.

Made it to Deerfield Beach yesterday. Started to unload from the moving truck and promptly feel out of it onto the driveway. Thought I had broken my back.

Went to ER and just have a small compression fracture, bruised butt and ego to match. I have got to learn to slow down and get on island time!!

Gonna be sore for a while but thank the Good Lord nothing more serious. Gonna rest up a couple days and start boat hunting!

Greetings,
Mr. fr. "Our fav is still raw as well.". Atta boy. A true connoisseur. I will admit to eating the Rockefeller variety and tend to agree with you, good. Sorry to hear about your tumble. Maybe you should have been wearing your light fall suit...




Oh great, now I'm arguing with myself...

RT Firefly said:

Greetings,
Mr. fr. "Our fav is still raw as well.". Atta boy. A true connoisseur. I will admit to eating the Rockefeller variety and tend to agree with you, good. Sorry to hear about your tumble. Maybe you should have been wearing your light fall suit...


Oh great, now I'm arguing with myself...

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Now?? Surely tain't da 1st time!

Patrick having fun with the Grandkids. He missed them me thinks. I missed them too. This will be our home base while we look for a boat.

frgeorgeh said:

Patrick having fun with the Grandkids. He missed them me thinks. I missed them too. This will be our home base while we look for a boat.

View attachment 37235

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How many languages can Patrick speak - by his eyes on post 3 and 74 I'd say at least a few! Great looken G-Kids. We have five. Boys, a 14 yr and a 3 monther. Gals 12, 7, 2.75 yrs! God Luv Em All!

Back to emergency room today. Pain got worse instead of better.

They did an MRI and promptly admitted me. Seems I really did break my back.

Waiting now for the doctor to see what they want to do. Upset cause I can't go boat shopping. Waaaaaaa!!!!

Just got this pic from the wife. Cheered me right up.

Patrick helping Mia with her homework.

frgeorgeh said:

Back to emergency room today. Pain got worse instead of better.

They did an MRI and promptly admitted me. Seems I really did break my back.

Waiting now for the doctor to see what they want to do. Upset cause I can't go boat shopping. Waaaaaaa!!!!

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Very sorry to hear that. Take care... boats will still be there when you get better!

Can tell the way Patrick's nose is slightly wrinkled that the problem he is solving is just too simple for his big brain!

Man...what a bummer about your back. You're still walking around, so that's a good sign. looks like a stand up engine room might be a necessity!

We retired 3years ago and moved our Jefferson 45 to our slip in the keys. This will be our second full year aboard if no hurricanes come thru again this year. We aren't cruising as much, as we got most of in before we retired. We enjoy the water/island life as we can find a view that makes it beautiful and worth the long road in getting here. Good luck in your search and come to the keys for island time when you need it.

frgeorgeh said:

Back to emergency room today. Pain got worse instead of better.

They did an MRI and promptly admitted me. Seems I really did break my back.

Waiting now for the doctor to see what they want to do. Upset cause I can't go boat shopping. Waaaaaaa!!!!

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Sorry you hurt yourself, please take care. I will keep you in prayer.
Hope you get well soon.

Frgeorgeh, plenty of boat shopping/boat porn to be found online! You might be out of action for some time.

Had my surgery yesterday where they filled to vertebrae with bone cement. Go figure. Otherwise known as "Elder ' s glue" See what I did there? Me make em joke!

Anyhow. Get evaluated today and hopefully get the heck out of here. There's boats to be looked at!

Thanks so much for your well wishes and prayers. Means a lot to the Admiral and me.

George

George and Betty Jo,
Keep your Faith Strong and your Love Pure and Your Forgivness un-ending...
Enjoy this beautiful time you have been blessed with and never forget how you got there.
Keep us posted and Stay safe...all three of you
Jim

Greetings,
Mr. frg. "... filled to vertebrae with bone cement..." OK, now was that epoxy or FRP? The current trend is to use epoxies but I've seen bilges filled with just regular Portand cement...



Get well soon.

RT Firefly said:

Greetings,
Mr. frg. "... filled to vertebrae with bone cement..." OK, now was that epoxy or FRP? The current trend is to use epoxies but I've seen bilges filled with just regular Portand cement...

Get well soon.

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Add concrete sand, polymers, and fiberglass fibers - gets real dense and strong!

Betty Joe - Take care of your guy!! And ask Patrick for counsel when necessary...

Best Luck George. Many on TF are pullen for ya!

GB, Art

Got out
of hospital yesterday afternoon. Still sore as hell. They say 6 wks recovery time. Regardless, the boat search starts Monday. Momma can crawl around the bilges for me. ;-)

Thanks to everyone for the prayers and kind wishes. So glad I am so close to salt water. They say it cures everything!

Updates on the search to follow my friends.

RT Firefly said:

Greetings,
Mr. frg. "... filled to vertebrae with bone cement..." OK, now was that epoxy or FRP? The current trend is to use epoxies but I've seen bilges filled with just regular Portand cement...

Get well soon.

Click to expand...

Turns out the bone cement turns into plexiglass. Go figure!

frgeorgeh said:

Had my surgery yesterday where they filled to vertebrae with bone cement. Go figure. Otherwise known as "Elder ' s glue" See what I did there? Me make em joke!

Click to expand...

Trying to get what was actually done, was the word "fusion" used, ie 2 vertebra joined together permanently? You must have done some damage, but with your good attitude you should be better soon, best wishes,and as we say here "she`ll be right mate".