A Good Day Aboard

Every time I start to stiffen up, I go crawl around the engine room. SMILE

Agree boating helps keep us in shape and is a form of exercise and healthy. i just heard about a Nordhavn owner finally selling his boat at he age of 80. not a bad run....

I'm hopeful learning to sail will provide the source of exercise I need to remain in shape while also learning something new and challenging. Who knows what may follow in a few years.

N4061 said:

Agree boating helps keep us in shape and is a form of exercise and healthy. i just heard about a Nordhavn owner finally selling his boat at he age of 80. not a bad run....

I'm hopeful learning to sail will provide the source of exercise I need to remain in shape while also learning something new and challenging. Who knows what may follow in a few years.

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Only 80 and he gives it up? I'm 85 and still doing all my own boat work, boating 12 months of the year and competing in Predicted Log contests.

ancora said:

Only 80 and he gives it up? I'm 85 and still doing all my own boat work, boating 12 months of the year and competing in Predicted Log contests.

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Well, I guess we should all be like you then.

I must fail at life since I’m only 63 and am about to pay to have someone detail my boat since my back can’t take the work. Maybe I should just quit this whole boating thing…?

dhays said:

Well, I guess we should all be like you then.

I must fail at life since I’m only 63 and am about to pay to have someone detail my boat since my back can’t take the work. Maybe I should just quit this whole boating thing…?

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Detailing has little relevance to how old you can still enjoy boating. I don't enjoy detailing. I do it as and when I have to. I haven't succumbed to paying to have my boat detailed, but I admit having been tempted. Maybe I should just give up this whole detailing thingy?

I am 78 and have discovered, naps are wasted on the young.
Hour or 2 nap, I am good till 10pm bedtime after my cognac but then, I wake up about 5am.
I figure I am good for 2 more years is I dont stroke out.

OldDan1943 said:

I am 78 and have discovered, naps are wasted on the young.
Hour or 2 nap, I am good till 10pm bedtime after my cognac but then, I wake up about 5am.
I figure I am good for 2 more years is I dont stroke out.

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You're one cool dude OldDan. Go like hell till you can't, that's our motto.

OldDan1943 said:

I am 78 and have discovered, naps are wasted on the young.
Hour or 2 nap, I am good till 10pm bedtime after my cognac but then, I wake up about 5am.
I figure I am good for 2 more years is I dont stroke out.

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Dan - You're too darn ornery for that!

7 Years Ago

I just realized this thread originally started back in 2014 with our first Trawler (N4050) and how quickly time has flown by. Just amazing and scary how time doesn't sit still regardless what you do or don't do. Looking back I can honestly say I have no regrets with any of our boats and money spent. Only wish the N35 drive shaft overheat problem could have been solved and we kept the boat longer but then again "it is a boat and these types of issues need to be dealt with". On the positive side owning N3522 allowed us to confirm we were ready for another new build resulting in the Helmsman 38E so all good.

Now in 2021 (almost 2022) we find ourselves against the tide and waiting for our latest little adventure to arrive hopefully by Christmas. If anyone would have told me back in 2014 a day sailor was in our horizon I would have laughed but now look what we are doing. Bottom line for me is the type of boat doesn't really matter as much as researching, building and enjoying them out on the water.

Will be interesting to if I'm still around in another 7 years to make a similar post this long living thread. Thanks to everyone who posted on this thread over the years.

John T. - N4050, N4061, N3522, H38E former owner

So nice to remember the good times, especially as we are in a bit of a storm-repair hiatus. Thanks for the wonderful story and the motivation!

War and Boating

Strange that we find ourselves watching yet another military conflict on TV with all its death and destruction. I don't want to start talking about political views on this great forum despite my personal anger towards the aggressor and will only say my prays are with those suffering.

What's this got to with boating? Well over the years when we have gone through difficult times, we have been fortunate to own a boat allowing us time on the water to escape (if only for a few hours) real-word problems. You just turn off the satellite TV and enjoy nature as you cruise ever so slowly feeling the motion of the boat in the gentle swells (on a nice day).

Today we find ourselves without trawler to escape all the reality of what's going on around the world and at home but at least we have the little Sandpiper sitting the garage ready to go. The weather forecast is looking good early next week and we both agreed a couple hours cruise inside the harbor will do us both good. Still need to get those sails installed but we have the whole spring and summer to figure all that out.

John T.

John, I have totally enjoyed following your journey's to the point that I finally joined this forum. Mainly because I have never read a string that could go 50 plus pages and everyone remained civil and respectful. I have a question though. You stated that your original 38E plan was to truck it to the East coast. Is that really doable for 14 foot wide boat and if so did you ever get a cost estimate. If that makes sense then I can start including some eastern vessels in my search to truck to the west coast.

Very nicely written indeed, Julie and myself agree, do it now whilst you can. We brought our first Launch last year, she is old school, loved it the minute we saw it.
Never want to leave everytime we go to her on the berth or to sea on an adventure, it is just so wonderful for the soul.
Warmest regards to all from sunny New Zealand and our magnificent Hauraki Gulf here in Auckland.

Kiltuish said:

John, I have totally enjoyed following your journey's to the point that I finally joined this forum. Mainly because I have never read a string that could go 50 plus pages and everyone remained civil and respectful. I have a question though. You stated that your original 38E plan was to truck it to the East coast. Is that really doable for 14 foot wide boat and if so did you ever get a cost estimate. If that makes sense then I can start including some eastern vessels in my search to truck to the west coast.

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You will need to talk with a boat transport trucker to see what their capabilities are.
~30 yrs ago I had a ride on a 55 SeaRay Sedan Bridge, 16.5 ft wide, with its owner and the owner of a 72 Hat SF, over 18'. Both had been trucked long distance, one from Lake Superior, the other from Texas, to near Vancouver. The Hat owner had better stories, but both were entertaining me with their tales of trucking their boats.....Not saying it is easy, but they did it.

Overland Shipping

Kiltuish said:

John, I have totally enjoyed following your journey's to the point that I finally joined this forum. Mainly because I have never read a string that could go 50 plus pages and everyone remained civil and respectful. I have a question though. You stated that your original 38E plan was to truck it to the East coast. Is that really doable for 14 foot wide boat and if so did you ever get a cost estimate. If that makes sense then I can start including some eastern vessels in my search to truck to the west coast.

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No problem shipping the boat overland (done all the time). Ballpark cost a few years ago was $15K. I'm sure it's more today. Good thing its only money and you can't take it with you.

Down Sizing

Its hard to believe its been close to one year since we took delivery of the Sandpiper (Marshall Marine 15'6" Catboat) and while I still have a lot to learn about sailing its been another interesting journey. From buying a new build (unseen), incurring some damage during shipping across country, dealing with insurance companies for the repairs and finally having the sail rigged, lets say the first six months have been interesting. After one lesson I have been out four times solo, each time a new learning experience. I'm slowly building confidence within myself and the boat. I'm fortunate to have done my home work and found the best designed boat for my latest mission which includes a very stable, wide beam boat. She is also very forgiving which helps with my learning curve and safety.

While I'm not sure what the future holds for me and sailing I am realizing a few positives with this decision which I'll share in case anyone else decides to go against the norm or current and switch from power to sail or just downsize.

1. Smaller investment - Despite buying a high quality, well built boat with great classic looks (people stop us every time we go out asking about the boat) it was not that expensive allowing me to pay cash. No loans is great.
2. Trailering the boat is not new to me but it has been 20 years so I had to get use to it again. No big deal and being able to store the boat in the garage is dream. No dock fees and being to work on the boat anytime I want.
3. Electric engine with custom installation has worked out great so no diesel or gas to mess with.
4. I don't feel like I need to take the boat out to justify owning one. I go when I feel like it.
5. Day boating is much less stress than the larger trawler and longer trips.
6. I don't worry about weather, if its windy of chilly I stay home.
7. Adding to the boat is minimum but what I do add is not expensive.
8. The adventure of learning something new is priceless and what makes boating fun. Each time out I challenge myself a little more.

Just thought I would share these observations in case anyone was thinking about downsizing.

John

This one?

https://www.marshallcat.com/sandpiper

Great looking little boat. Thanks for the update.

Peter

N4061 said:

No problem shipping the boat overland (done all the time). Ballpark cost a few years ago was $15K. I'm sure it's more today. Good thing its only money and you can't take it with you.

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Sell stock, you pay a healthy tax on the capital gains.
If I recall, upon you death, tax free on $500,000 and a very healthy tax on the capital gains to Feds and state.

Aint life grand?

OldDan1943 said:

Sell stock, you pay a healthy tax on the capital gains.

If I recall, upon you death, tax free on $500,000 and a very healthy tax on the capital gains to Feds and state.



Aint life grand?

Click to expand...

And you would be wrong. At death, all assets go into the estate at the value at date of death or six months earlier. The stock gets a stepped-up value such that, if it were sold at the same valuation there would be no taxable gain or loss. If the total value of all estate assets does not exceed $12 million dollars ($24 million for a married couple), there is also no estate tax.

N4061 said:

....While I'm not sure what the future holds for me and sailing I am realizing a few positives with this decision which I'll share in case anyone else decides to go against the norm or current and switch from power to sail or just downsize.

1. Smaller investment - Despite buying a high quality, well built boat with great classic looks (people stop us every time we go out asking about the boat) it was not that expensive allowing me to pay cash. No loans is great.
2. Trailering the boat is not new to me but it has been 20 years so I had to get use to it again. No big deal and being able to store the boat in the garage is dream. No dock fees and being to work on the boat anytime I want.
3. Electric engine with custom installation has worked out great so no diesel or gas to mess with.
4. I don't feel like I need to take the boat out to justify owning one. I go when I feel like it.
5. Day boating is much less stress than the larger trawler and longer trips.
6. I don't worry about weather, if its windy of chilly I stay home.
7. Adding to the boat is minimum but what I do add is not expensive.
8. The adventure of learning something new is priceless and what makes boating fun. Each time out I challenge myself a little more.

Just thought I would share these observations in case anyone was thinking about downsizing.

John

Click to expand...

John, you post gives meaning to those immortal words spoken by Ratty in 'Wind in the Willows'. Y'all know how that goes. My Lotus had it on a small plaque right behind the main helm...

catalinajack said:

And you would be wrong. At death, all assets go into the estate at the value at date of death or six months earlier. The stock gets a stepped-up value such that, if it were sold at the same valuation there would be no taxable gain or loss. If the total value of all estate assets does not exceed $12 million dollars ($24 million for a married couple), there is also no estate tax.

Click to expand...

State estate taxes vary by state.
They must have changed the Fed law when I wasn't looking. Back about 1997, the Feds just peeled off the top 50%. Stocks were valued at the date of death.

N4061, might learning to sail the Catboat be preparatory to acquiring a cruising sailboat?

Got the support glued in for the new fly deck fridge and got the back wood measured for the the rear support. Gonna cut the board at home tomorrow and get it screwed in and the fridge mounted tomorrow.

That will be the beginning of the flybridge clean up. A real spider's web in there. Needs a lot of re-wiring, The hook up of the stereo and amps and speaks, the chart plotter and the VHF replacement which will not go as planned as the steering cables interfere with it by evidence of broken off heat sink fins.

Steering is A#1. Have to adjust the previous plan of mounting radio, glove box and VHF. Previous owner added a pully to tension the steering cable away from the radio with some micky-mouse cable attached to an eye bolt. Removed that stuff.

Yeah, you got to get under the cover to see the evil below -

The new fridge is in place although still not secured and needing the above panel that I'm working now which will mount glove box, stereo and VHF.



You can see the steering cable though the top holes and it's slack now as I removed the goofy pulley the PO installed to keep the cable from breaking the radio. The round hole is where I was going to install the new "gauge size" radio but that's not going to happen either. All going into the new above fridge panel -

Another Journey

I'm somewhat surprised this thread remains open and members occasionally read it and add new topics. In case anyone is interested our new thread under electric boats has now started and focused on another new build. While not a trawler we are using this boat to further explore the possibilities of electrical power for another trawler after retirement. A few years ago I reported we were done with trawlers but my wife recently started the conversation about one more.

My posts on the new electric boat will include the decision-making process including the 90% rule, contracting with an overseas builder (no middleman) and importing the boat myself. A learning adventure to say the least but looking forward to the challenge and something new. Hopefully anyone reading it will pick up a point or two applicable to their boating adventures.

John T

Can you link to this thread, please, John. I am definitely interested.

Link to Electric Boat New Build

Let's see if this link works

https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s79/new-build-electric-powered-67445-new-post.html

Perfect. Thanks.

Finished up my fridge replacement / glove box addition / new VHF radio / gauge size stereo project. Just need to add the 2 white fill pieces that are still drying on both side of the fridge.



Next I'll tension up the steering cables, rewire the whole thing with 2 DC circuits instead of "mystery" DC circuits, terminal blocks for both and the new set of blocks will go on the flip side of the new panel on the inside. The PO used some barrier strips with bare copper serpentined for a buss bar.

Amazing.

But the steering comes first because the weather is nice, the river is lower and it's time for our weekly boat rides!

And I can doo all these "filler projects" between the rides -

Out for the first run of the year, fuel run. About an hour to the closest dock with diesel and pumped in 370 gallons. Took a while, their pumps are not fast. Paid the bill and back home we went. Got there about half past noon and returned 5:30.

Engines started right up after 6 months of sitting and ran strong and smooth as usual. Good half day on the river -