while we're waiting

let me tell you a bit more about the new boat we're buying...

As i've said previously, she's an Explorer 45, which was designed by the legendary Stan Huntingford, and aimed mainly at the US market.

She's a ketch, with a cutter arranged foredeck.



Overall, she weights about 18 tons, of which about 40% is in the long keel... there are long overhangs at either end, with a lovely flowing lead in from the bow, meaning that she's ride nicely in a heavy sea, as well as a pretty retrousse transom to ensure that there is lots of bouyancy out of the water for when things get heavy.

The decks are teak from end to end with a 5" deep gunwhale, helping to keep the decks dry in anything other than the foulest weather!

In terms of her condition, she's benefited from a few major bits of work in the last 3 or 4 years... her decks have been completely overhauled, with around 40% of the teak replaced and the whole deck recaulked and plugged. The masts have been resprayed, and all the standing rigging replaced....

Below decks, she's been rewired for 240V, had new heads, oven, and seating fitted..

She's still got some work to be done though... the woodwork below (all solid teak) needs pretty much entirely stripping back and revarnishing, and the 12V all needs replacing

Mechanically, the engine is sound, having been serviced, and had essential parts replaced... as well as the cutlass bearing being reglassed back in and a new prop fitted.

There are a pile of other bits too from a new wind generator to a petrol generator below, as well as things like a new galvanic isolator...

So... lots and lots to do.... but hpefully the survey will confirm our understanding that she's a good solid base to work upon, and that the work is cosmetic!

yes!

Viewing on Monday resulted in an offer.... a little negoiating, and its accepted!

Contracts have been exchanged, a deposit received, an survey organised...

We've also arranged a survey on the boat we're looking to buy...

Insurance quotes underway.... lift with the marina sorted...phew!

It was considerably cheaper to arrange for the new boat to be lifted and held rather than lifted ashore and chocked up, even allowing for the fact that we can't collect the new boat until early september due to family holidays, so will need to pay berthing fees for a few weeks...

Geting rather excited now, but that familiar nervousness over the forthcoming surveys... don't see anything to worry about, but i'm still fretting!

Hope remains...

A viewing planned for Monday... Fingers crossed!

still waiting...

Last month, I blogged that we are planning on buying a new boat.... or more accurately, that we've found a new boat... but our buyer on Morgana fell through, and we'd spent 2 very frustrating months trying to sell her....

...well, now make that 3 very frustrating months.

We've just reduced the price by a further £5k, making her a remarkable deal for someone. She's immaculate, has brand new sails, and lots of goodies to make her ready to sail immediately...

But it appears that the market is quite flat at present.

So, we wait.

We've avoided using her this year, while we try to sell her, as we've cleaned her pretty thoroughly... so as a consequence, we've not actually sailed yet this year, which is hurting. So much in fact, that next weekend, we're going sailing. Its our annual Pirates weekend.. which is always a hoot... but long range forecasts aren't looking wonderful.

Hopefully more positive news to report soon, and the blogging of a delivery trip!