Which brings us to your $95,000 price range. For instance, whether seriously or facetiously mentioned above, you're not going to get a Fleming 65 for that amount. As to what you're doing, not really as relevant as is the fact you need accommodations for 6. I'm not at all grasping how you're going to do the loop and host guests at various ports and still complete the loop in season. Perhaps those you host will stay with you until the next port. Have you studied the loop so you have a good understanding of it? For three staterooms, you will need to be at the upper end of your size range you mentioned or above.
What is your boating experience and your mechanical ability?
BrandB,
Thank you for your concerns, the questions you ask are truly things one should consider before taking off on such a trip. Please allow me to take a moment of your time and try and address each of your concerns individually.
As to the $95,000.00 price range, I had to begin somewhere, that seemed like a good number at the time. The Fleming 65 was a boat someone on Trawler Forum suggested not necessarily one I would choose or am specifically looking for.
As for how we plan to accomplish hosting our guests and doing the loop in a season, you hit the nail on the head. We will, as reservations are made, choose a tentative port and a tentative date to pick them up at the same time we will set a tentative port and tentative date to drop them off. The amount of time they for their sabbatical will depend on the length of time they will be onboard and the distance we will travel. The key word here is “Tentative”, anyone who has traveled very much on the ICW are any other major waterway, will tell you setting a hard-fast schedule will get you in serious trouble. Weather is a constant and can be a deadly factor. As you surely will agree, in many instances one will need to wait for “Weather Windows” to make some open water crossings or sometime just to leave the dock period. Waiting on weather can and will determine distance traveled and destinations will change.
As for studying the loop, we have spent the past 10 plus years studying the loop. Reading everything we can get our hands on and visiting in person with many couples who have successfully completed the loop. We are also members of the ALGCA.
As for boating experience we have been members of Galveston Bay Sail and Power Squadron for the past 10 years. We both have this year completed the course, passed the test and received our OUPV/Six Pack License.
As for mechanical ability. I am a certified diesel mechanic, certified in Caterpillar, Cummins and Detroit truck and heavy equipment diesels. Although these certifications are not for marine diesels, a diesel engine is a diesel engine, each brand has it’s own idiosyncrasies which are brand specific. Haven’t spent much time working on Ford Lehman, John Deere, Volvo Penta, Yanmar or Kubota, but unless the boat has been recently repowered it probably will not have a Yanmar or Kubota in it. I have an extensive background in diesel powered AC generators. Am proficient in AC/DC electrical and electronics with certification in Marine Electrical and Electronics from the United States Power Squadron. I am also quite competent in hydraulic applications, plumbing, be it fuel, waste water or potable water. I’ve spent the past few years manufacturing custom Stainless-Steel fuel tanks for everything from trawlers to towboat to ferryboats.
We feel that God has spent many years preparing us for this ministry. We both feel quite comfortable with the skills and knowledge God had blessed us with to undertake such a mission.
Blessings
