Why I am selling a boat I am in love with for a woman I am more in love with.

[Mas]

Ok, i don't even know where to start other than maybe go back and reread the No Mas has a new home introduction i gave as we returned to sailing for the first time in 25 years. It was Susan's suggestion that i buy No Mas as i had followed the history of her, had learned to sail on her little sister a CP16, and Susan knew I had always longingly looked at getting a 23 prior to giving up sailing altogether for over two decades. It just made sense at the time to pick up where we left off and get that 23, No Mas in particular. She was and is now again one of the best, if not the best found example of a 23D that's out there.

Fast forward to now.... No Mas was intended to be mostly my boat for a year or so as Susan was not able to come down as often with some care giving responsibilities to elderly parents (we live almost 3 hours from the boat). They have now both passed within this last year. Good lives 93-94, 75year marriage. I have a 36+ year marriage because we try to help each other find that right balance in life. With her parents gone we then planned to rent a little apartment at our marina for the extra space as Susan could now get way more often, but she and i talked and it makes little sense to spend monies on rent but it also makes little sense to convince her that both of us staying on No Mas (maybe when we were much younger!) for days will work. I am in a little shock but have agreed to sell her now that i have just finished getting her almost back to Bristol condition (a little touchup on the Britework left to do). We are going to get that larger boat now after all and not waste the money on rent for an apartment and after 25 yeas away, time is not our friend, and we have a ton of catching up to do.

For those of you that don't know the No Mas story here is the website from the fellow that turned her into the incredible example of a 23D that she is: We have continued his tradition and brought her up to new standards with many improvements, all professionally done.

  http://www.frontier.net/~chappell/

She is located in Topping Va. Chesapeake Bay territory! She is looking for a new home, and is totally a turn key job from bottom of keel to top of mast. She looks brand new. Price has not been set yet and we are aware that we will more than likely not be able to get all of the recently spent funds back but if our larger craft falls through I don't want to loose No Mas, there aren't any like her. Don't hesitate to PM me in the interim. We will continue to stay in touch with many of the folks we have met on this forum. There is not a better one, you guys are the best. Wish us luck on the new boat and finding No Mas an owner who will appreciate what she is.

[Bob23]

Just reading this. You have your priorities straight and I owe you a Guinness!!! I'm familiar with the boat and if I were looking for one, I'd be first in line. Hope to see you soon aboard something!!!

[HeaveToo]

Good luck.  Don't leave the board if you sell, we like having you around.

[Bob23]

Don't worry, Heave. He's not going anywhere. Remember I'm from NJ? There is an exit fee here. If you leave, you pay- me!!!
Bob2$

[Mas]

Hey guys,there is no way i will be paying the exit fee! Sorry Bob. That means i will always stay in touch with all. Plus, jus because we are trying to get a larger hole in the water that doesn't mean it will happen. We are totally good with No Mas in our life as well if another boat doesn't happen, in fact leaving within the hour to head down to her, as she is in the water now. Will keep you guys posted on the unfolding story, the next boat is either going to be a yea or nay within the next couple weeks. We plan to keep No Mas in her slip and enjoy her till she is adopted if another boat comes into our life.

There was this bright thing in the sky the other day, I goggled it, it is called the sun! Go figure. Seattle got nuthin on us.

[Craig Weis]

The heart wants what the heart wants.
Good luck.

Craig.

[Mas]

So....thanks to all for the kind words, thoughts and encouragement! I promised to keep you updated so here it goes. No Mas now has a big sister under contract. If things continue to unfold as we thought, she will be riding in a slip just a couple down from No Mas by mid-June. Our plan is to use the new boat in lieu of that apartment we considered while we sail and sell No Mas. Truly am having some separation anxiety already, have gotten kinda attached to her as she is such a sweet boat! People are constantly asking what she is and admiringly looking at her.

[Tim Gardner]

Well, what kind bigger hole did you buy?
TG

[Mas]

Well she aint' ours yet as there are some waypoints that have to be navigated first! We are going from a 23 foot hole to a 31 foot hole. the plan is to sail and enjoy No Mas while we find a new owner (I am not going to let her go without some time to enjoy her first) and use the 31 foot hole as our apartment in lieu of renting one down there. We are turning a place we use up on Wintergreen Mountain back to rental service for spring, summer and fall (which we had done for many years) and then use it for the winter season which is the season we will not be using any boats. This plan will have it cover the bulk of the costs associated with the new larger hole! Wish we could have both the boat and Wintergreen always available but we are mortal humans and can't make that happen. One or the other.

Will let you know if survey sea trials, etc go well, but regardless we are tickled to have a boat like No Mas in our lives if everything falls through. As mentioned, I am still struggling with the prospect of selling her. There are many advantages to her a 31 cannot replace.

[Mas]

Well the sea trials and survey for the larger hole revealed what sounds like my survey if i had one, got some age, got a few issues, ready to sail! We are clearly not in a position to put a lot of treasure into another boat since we just spent funds redoing Np Mas, thus we have to happy with things the way they are on another craft till we can deal with them. It's looking more and more like No Mas may be up for adoption. Weather is looking good this week so heading down to her in a couple days.

[HeaveToo]

My suggestion is to take the survey and make a list.  The first part is the must do list.  This is the safety stuff that you need to do to get the boat ready for cruising.  There are always some really stupid things, like installing straps for the batteries to hold them down or fixing an anchor light.  After that the list is should do.  That would be things like oil change, impeller change, clean and lube winches, repair things, etc. 

Hold off on thinking about the things you want to do.  Cruise it a few times before making the list.  Each section of the list is prioritized. 

From past conversations it seems that we have similar trains of thought so you probably have already done a lot of this.

That is a very nice boat that you are looking at.  If you do extended cruising in the Bay you will love the extra room.  After doing 2 weeks in the Compac 23 I can tell you that it is okay for 1 person but standing head room and an enclosed head would be very nice to have. 

Keep in touch no matter what and I am crossing my fingers that everything goes smooth for you!

[Mas]

Thanks much Heave for the well wishes. This is a crazy thing we are doing but we have slipped the lines on this and are navigating the post survey waters. The survey will also have basically three categories - need, should, would be nice levels. One example is needs new batteries, (they are dead). Should replace cutless bearing, (a little wiggle evident), would be nice to have some new running rigging (serviceable but showing age). Will send a proposal to the current owner and see what happens. Regardless she will initially be a "floataminium" for us at while we sail and sell No Mas, so less stress about having all systems totally ready. This will give me time to address less important issues as the important ones will be addressed or we will not acquire her. Cant afford a project.

Will keep you posted. Know Bob was thinking about a CBWSG. Let's at least carve some time for a day.

[HeaveToo]

for running rigging, check out Cajun Ropes.  I have used them for my Catalina 30 and my Compac 23 for running rigging.  Their product is very good and the price is excellent.  They also sell the best anchor rode rope you can buy.  I have a brand new anchor rode from them and it is awesome stuff. 

Don't mess around with the cutlass bearing.  You want to replace that since there is some wobble.  This guy has a good write up on this with pictures: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/replacing_a_cutlass

[Mas]

Well we have tenured a conditional acceptance of the big sister for No Mas. Should know within the next 24 if gunna happen. Just left a couple days with No Mas. Found a sailing dinghy in good shape with oars and all rigging and it is now on the dink rack. Just another of those items a larger hole in the water requires that No Mas did not. We are very excited about this next boat but are also already missing No Mas. Will post again if she is truly up for adoption, which is looking almost certain.

PeterG is gunna help move the new boat if it happens, and i have it on good account that he is considering a Ranger Tug! Yup another one bites the dust!

Regardless, since I am not gunna pay the exit fee, we are always gunna be Compacteers and look forward to getting folks back together for a CBMSG.

[Bob23]

Count me in! I don't need much of an excuse to get together with friends and toss a few back. One of us owes the other a Guinness, if my memory serves me well.
Bob23