Survey
Our captain was very certain of exactly what should be happening at all times and was continuously dismayed by his crew's’ inability to comply. He was obsessed with fenders and adjusting the traveler. To this day, Matt and I like to yell “travel me down, you!” in a tone that says “for god’s sake, put out the fire (you imbecile)!”
We went into the ocean and raised the sails. It was very sporty and we were surfing down waves at 14 knots in the middle of the inlet. Good times! As a wave washed over the bows, one of the fenders departed the vessel and our captain was overjoyed to execute a MOB procedure. Unfortunately, the fender quickly went onto the reef and it was not retrieved.
We arrived back at the dock for Fender-gate Part 3, “Are you all ready with fenders?” “Why do you look so relaxed holding the fender!” “Why are there only 3 fenders!” For god’s sake, put the fenders out!
The surveyor found a few issues, but nothing huge. We were in disbelief: if there’s really nothing wrong with it how is it that no one has bought it yet? So in a bit of a daze and fog we accepted the vessel with a few conditions including a new bottom job (which took months of daily phone calls and harassment on our part to make materialize!).
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| The week old bottom paint was already peeling. Not good! |
Closing
The week before closing was somewhat stressful as it was absurdly difficult for me to get a closing statement from the seller, and for our bank and insurance company to get updated information from the seller. I did my own closing statement and was prepared to wire funds according to my calculations. After a significant amount of begging on my part, and reluctance and blame on the seller’s, a closing statement was given - it was $100 different from mine. After the closing, they had to refund us the $100.
Closing itself was straightforward and anti-climactic. Send money. The keys were left on the boat. No champagne, no conference room with special pens. (Matt is still upset about the lack of a Lagoon hat.) We drove to the boat and sat on it after work. (It had been all too easy and we waited for someone to show up, reveal the terrible mistake that had been made, and to kick us off their boat. The immediate and rather startling indication that it was "our" boat and not "their" boat was the evidence that birds agree that Independence must be a lovely lovely place to hang out on and even decorate. What larks!
Closing itself was straightforward and anti-climactic. Send money. The keys were left on the boat. No champagne, no conference room with special pens. (Matt is still upset about the lack of a Lagoon hat.) We drove to the boat and sat on it after work. (It had been all too easy and we waited for someone to show up, reveal the terrible mistake that had been made, and to kick us off their boat. The immediate and rather startling indication that it was "our" boat and not "their" boat was the evidence that birds agree that Independence must be a lovely lovely place to hang out on and even decorate. What larks!
