Hubbub

If all goes well I will be a boat owner in about 16 hours. I found the boat on Craigslist and checked it out last weekend. The seller agreed to a handshake deal contingent upon survey. Since my boat-expert friend looked over the boat with me and found it to be sound, it seems unlikely the survey will turn up any surprises. Still, better safe than sorry.

It has taken a boatload of effort along with asking for numerous favors to coordinate tomorrow’s exchange. The seller volunteered to take the boat from its home in Mats Mats Bay to Port Townsend, where the boat can be hauled out of the water. I had to contact a couple different yards to find one that could schedule lift time tomorrow.

Through my friend I lined up a reputable boat surveyor and the three of us will drive to Port Townsend together in the morning. Assuming she finds no significant, unknown defects, we’ll seal the deal. The surveyor will drive back while my friend and I sail the boat to its new home in Seattle. The trip is likely to take around 10+ hours–a good opportunity to learn the boat’s basic sailing qualities.

Other preparations included:

• applying for insurace and assuring coverage from the moment of transfer
• arranging for moorage in Seattle–very fortunate that my friend connected me with an open slip on Lake Union, exactly where I hoped to be
• reviewing the procedures for going through the Ballard Locks and purchasing the required 50′ lines.
• checking weather and tidal currents

Everything is in place and the decision hinges on what the survey turns up. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.