I do not own a boat...yet, and I live in the mountains. I may be as green as they come on this subject but that is why I am here.
We recently came home from a New England trip and the last place we stayed was Boothbay Harbor. Seeing all of the boats in the harbor stirred something inside that I'm having trouble shaking. I tried antacids but that didn't work...
Anyway, after a pretty good bit of wandering around the inter webs there is a boat out there that really peaks my interest because it seems to reflect our current travel style of enjoying a small, 20ft camper for excursions (except the last trip). I'm referring to the Mainship 34 of the 80s. The amenities of the boat seem similar to our travel trailer but I haven't set eyes or feet on one in person. I've read a lot of folks on here who have them and love them, and those who prefer something else.
My main reason for posting is to ask a question to whoever might own one of these boats in the Charleston, SC or Florida areas (we have cheap flights to most of Florida where I live): Would you mind, if I could arrange it, taking me (or us) out on the boat and giving me a thorough walkthrough of these machines? Not overnight or anything but I would like an education on these and to peer into the nooks and crannies to determine if we want to look at something like this for future cruising vacation options. I'll be glad to pay for fuel or beer or whatever.
What interests me at the moment is some simple ICW cruising with a potential Bahamas trip after I have some skill and confidence. I don't want to hear from a broker, I would really like to talk to someone in person and see if I'm even capable of such a leap into the unknown. It seems like a dang fun retirement lifestyle to be completely honest.
Anyway, if I'm asking something that is taboo or off limits, please tell me. From what I've read everyone on here seems to be pretty laid back so I hope I don't offend anyone.
Thanks!
We recently came home from a New England trip and the last place we stayed was Boothbay Harbor. Seeing all of the boats in the harbor stirred something inside that I'm having trouble shaking. I tried antacids but that didn't work...
Anyway, after a pretty good bit of wandering around the inter webs there is a boat out there that really peaks my interest because it seems to reflect our current travel style of enjoying a small, 20ft camper for excursions (except the last trip). I'm referring to the Mainship 34 of the 80s. The amenities of the boat seem similar to our travel trailer but I haven't set eyes or feet on one in person. I've read a lot of folks on here who have them and love them, and those who prefer something else.
My main reason for posting is to ask a question to whoever might own one of these boats in the Charleston, SC or Florida areas (we have cheap flights to most of Florida where I live): Would you mind, if I could arrange it, taking me (or us) out on the boat and giving me a thorough walkthrough of these machines? Not overnight or anything but I would like an education on these and to peer into the nooks and crannies to determine if we want to look at something like this for future cruising vacation options. I'll be glad to pay for fuel or beer or whatever.
What interests me at the moment is some simple ICW cruising with a potential Bahamas trip after I have some skill and confidence. I don't want to hear from a broker, I would really like to talk to someone in person and see if I'm even capable of such a leap into the unknown. It seems like a dang fun retirement lifestyle to be completely honest.
Anyway, if I'm asking something that is taboo or off limits, please tell me. From what I've read everyone on here seems to be pretty laid back so I hope I don't offend anyone.
Thanks!