This might seem an overly optimistic blog title, but let’s call it what it is. I’m GETTING A BOAT!
Why? Technically I already have a boat; an older pontoon with a new motor. So do I really NEED a boat? Well, no. Actually, I have 3 other boats: a coastal single rowing scull and two kayaks. (At least these are all in my possession, and it was agreed early in the process of the divorce these would be mine, and they are all titled in my name. But, with the misery of divorce, who knows how things will turn out.)
The Real Why? My divorce is not going well. I’m not going to list the misery blow by blow because that’s not what this blog is about. But I thought that by now, a year in, we would have come to an agreement and I would be buying a house. Instead I’m renting a tiny farmhouse in the snowy rural wilds just trying to make the best of things. Current status is lots of snow, wood heat, tiny appliances, minimal space. (Just picture a really beautiful rural setting then add some firewood stress, flies, mice, no clothes dryer, and tiny little apartment size fridge.) I previously spent significant time remodeling my old house and now, without something to occupy my dream time and a non-work project to occupy my hands, I might just go insane.
Another Why? I need to get out of this house. I work at home. I also moved back to the rural area where I grew up to be closer to my mother. But…ONLY ONE RESTAURANT SERVES FOOD AFTER 9:00 PM! I need to have a place to go a few weekends this summer where I can get decent food, see new things, etc.
But a Boat? Hear me out, it does make some sense. I am 1.5 hours from one of the great lakes which has several marinas where I might rent a slip for the summer. Weekend house rentals in the area are quite expensive in the summer due to all the tourism. So if I had a boat on a slip, I would have a place to sleep weekends, a project to occupy my time, the ability to discover new restaurants, areas to bike and adventure. Plus, after staying with my friend on her sailboat in FL for a few days in the last couple years, I can tell you with certainty the water is MAGIC.
Upcoming Attractions: I am going to my first boating class “America’s Boating Course” tomorrow. This can be taken online, but I’m going in person because I’m sure I’ll need the networking (it is in the same city where I’ll rent a slip.) It looks to me like there are 7 other people registered. After the class I will also be going to look at a slip space as it is not too far from the marina where I’ll be taking the course. The slip has no electricity or water but the price is right and a little bit of me feels like no one will make fun of me because I don’t know what I’m doing.
The Boat: As of today the current plan for the boat is the purchase of a 1989 28′ MacGregor D with a working motor. I found it on Craigslist and have been emailing the owner. I am told it floats. I have not seen the boat yet as it is under a tarp which is under snow, but I’m first in line once the weather warms. I’m saving my pennies for the $6,500 purchase price. The current owner has owned it for 20 years and sailed it last summer. No, I do not know how to sail; that might be a project for next summer. I found this great article that gave me something to dream over: https://goodoldboat.com/macgregor-26d-refit/ I have the owners manual for the boat. I purchased two books: Fix It and Sail by Brian Gilbert, and Inspecting the Aging Sailboat by Don Casey.
Caveat: If you are a boat expert, or a divorce expert, or anyone from my life looking to bring critical comments on in here I will just ask you to please BE KIND. I’ve taken a lot of hits and I’m in a fragile place. I’m a strong person, but I feel like I’ve lost everything in the past year year: my life, my identity, my family, my home, my chickens, my dogs. This is just me; a real, not rich, not brilliant person trying to get along.
To close, I’d like to give a shout out to Nathan Heinrich for his inspiration. His podcast helps me get through the days, and his work inspired my site/blog/Insta name. If you haven’t had a listen, check out Nathan and his podcast I’m Moving to Italy.
I'm Getting A Boat 