Monday, October 8, 2007

Houston Detour-Trip Delayed

As some of you know, our boating plan has recently taken a detour; a detour through Houston,TX to be exact!
Just as we were about to start shopping for a boat, Rodney had to have neck surgery to remove a benign tumor located inside his spinal column. The complexity of this procedure carried us to Houston, TX. After nineteen days in Houston and a slow but progressive recovery period at home, we hope to soon be back on track with our plans.
On July 1st, prior to the Sept. surgery, Rodney and his friend Richard traveled to the Tampa, FL area to look at two Mainship 390s listed by two different brokers. After much note taking, picture taking and scrutiny, the two boats came out pretty much equal. We would have made an offer on one of these boats had the surgery not been on our schedule. There was just no way that we could be involved in both the boat deal and the medical procedure. Our only choice was to put the boat deal on hold until the medical situation was dealt with.

*F-N-B( For Non Boaters) This boat buying procedure is much like a real estate deal. Once you have found a suitable boat, you sign a contract and put up earnest money. The sale is contingent upon the boat passing a survey. The survey is a detailed inspection by a professional yacht surveyor. The survey last a full day with the buyer present. The surveyor inspects the boat systems and the hull out of the water. Next an under power inspection called a "Sea Trial" is performed. After the survey, the buyer and seller agree on any repairs or price adjustments, then the closing.