Howdy! Finding a boat is not as easy as it seems. Since we are in Louisville, there weren’t many Looping boats near us. We decided to Looking on line …. grrr … that was frustrating. Long hours of scrolling through posts and trying to figure out what we wanted turned in weeks and months of mind numbing searches. We needed a boat that had a swim platform, so I could get on and off the boat easier. We also needed one that didn’t have ladders, because while I’m sure I could get up one, getting back down a ladder is not something I can do. We wanted diesel engines with low hours, and a slew of nice-to-haves. We were searching several different sites and they all had filters that were less than helpful. The listings were rarely kept up to date and very few would return an inquiry call. So freaking frustrating. Several times we’d make plans to go see a boat only to find out they received a contract right after we called. Then one day it happened …. It was the end of May 2021 . We found one that looked good AND the owner called us back. It was a 2000 Carver 404 with twin diesels and a circular staircase to the aft deck. We were so excited that we offered to put the money in escrow sight unseen. It was risky, but it worked! We said we’d be there in a few days to see it…. which was also Memorial Day weekend!
Road trip! We loaded up the Cooper and drove half way Friday night after work, then the rest of the way to the following morning. I’d never been in a car that long but I pretty much slept the whole way. Such a long trip also gave me some time to find new ways to get comfortable.
This trip is when I learned that not all Rest Areas are the same. Why do they put the dog area by the highway? Have you ever tried to poop with cars zooming by? Let me tell you, it is not easy! It takes me a long time to make it happen and really makes Momma and Poppa testy. This trip i made them stay for 30 minutes while I worked up the courage to go.
This trip is when I learned that not all Rest Areas are the same. Why do they put the dog area by the highway? Not happy about this … see how close that truck is? Have you ever tried to poop with cars zooming by? Let me tell you, it is not easy! It takes me a long time to make it happen and really makes Momma and Poppa testy. This trip I made them stay for 30 minutes while I worked up the courage to go. They don’t do that anymore.
We finally made it! Momma booked us a room at the LaQuinta in Brunswick. Have you ever been to a LaQuinta? This one seemed to be brand new it was soooo nice! Modern interior, good breakfast, and lots of grass for me walk around. The only downside was the pond next to it. It that had geese for me to watch but goose poop was everywhere. It looked like treats to me, but Momma wouldn’t let me try any. Guess its bad for me. Maybe I was in the car too long, but this is how excited I was about LaQuinta
We drove to the marina to look at the boat and talk to the owner. Knowing nothing about them, all I had to contribute was, well, yup, that’s a boat. Momma and I took a walk while Poppa and the seller walked through the boat. Poppa was all smiles when we got back. The pics on the post were not current, but the boat seemed sound. The seller told us that it may take longer to close on the boat because he was selling it from his father’s estate. Since neither the seller or Poppa was comfortable driving the boat, we had to hire a captain to do the sea trial for the inspection. The inspection was scheduled to happen in a few weeks, so we went to the beach, and then drove all the way home the next morning.
Poppa and Grandpa Phil flew to St. Simmons for the inspection and sea trial since it was too long a drive for 1 day of work. I think I’d be ok on a plane, but airlines have a bunch of rules. I’ll be a good girl if it ever happens. Captain Matt was hired for the sea trial and to take the boat for the haul out. The haul out took way longer than planned and the inspection showed a lot of maintenance needed. However, it seemed that it was regular maintenance and that the boat was sound. Poppa and Grandpa Phil flew home and the inspection report was received a few days later. We decided to get it! We had to wait a bit to close because of paperwork related to the estate, but we finalized it on June 21, 2020! Here she is, the “Dog on IT”… but Momma said she has lots of cleaning to do before we can sleep on it.
Lots of love,
