View Single Post
Old 11-26-2018, 03:21 PM   #3
BandB
Guru
 
BandB's Avatar
 
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
Slow down and let the game come to you. This is advice developed from watching rookie professional athletes. They get overwhelmed as the games so fast, but in reality it's them trying to move too fast. A point guard trying to go full speed up the court at all times rather than letting the play develop and finding the open man.

It seems to a new owner like there are so many things to be done. No, just one thing. Then a second. Then a third. You only do one at a time.

I'd suggest a list of all those things you think you need to accomplish and then one at a time you can work through them. Just don't let the list overwhelm you.

One thing I strongly recommend is some professional help or guidance or a very experienced owner of the same boat. Perhaps the selling broker will provide some but it appears you won't be using it where you're buying it. Having someone walk through all the boats systems with you and you making notes can save you an immense amount of time and stress. Then even better if you can have someone go out with you a couple of days or more. It's an expense that will pay for itself many times in just how it builds your knowledge and confidence.

Understand that every owner has been right where you are. We all lacked experience. I had 30 years of lake boating, largest a 30' runabout. Then it was ocean and 44' and 63' and a whole new world. First time you go out where you can't see land it hits you, but you realize you can tell exactly where you are. First time you hit rough seas or difficult docking conditions, it's challenging but soon it's commonplace.

We haven't been at it as long as many here but we've put in probably more miles than any others the last 6 years. It was wonderful the first day and has been better every day sense. Every time out too we learn more, we enhance our skills. We still have friends who have been professional captains for 40+ years and are still in awe of their knowledge and skills. However, we look at where we were and how far we've come, just as you'll do in a few years. In fact, then you'll just go through it all again as you move up in boat size along the way or take more adventurous and distant cruises.

You said shipping from Georgia to Mass. That's the fastest way, perhaps the cheapest. However, if there is any possible way that you can get two weeks off from work sometime or even one week, hiring a captain to deliver it and teach you along the way would be incredible.
BandB is offline   Reply With Quote