Speaking from experience keep if you can the times you spend with your kids on board are priceless. I've had a sailboat forever and went out with the kids from the time they could crawl. As they got a little older we spent many overnights on board "camping" on the boat - which was a great adventure for them. As they got to be teenagers sports and other things grabbed their interest - so they didn't come out quite as often but occasionally they'd bring their friends and we'd go out and anchor so they could go swimming or just hang out.
Now that number 1 son is in college and number 2 son is only a couple years away - the boat isn't getting used much anymore - text books vs a 1700 mooring rental - well you can guess. So now I've put it up for sale. I'd thought of selling it when they were younger because I wasn't sure we'd have the time anymore - but somehow we managed and those weekends on board and those nice afternoon sails are good times to remember. I'm glad I didn't sell it then. Dave C27 #5212 Windabout Cape Cod, MA http://dpbcc.home.comcast.net -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 7:24 PM To: [email protected] Subject: catalina27-talk: Selling C27 Dilemma? Listees, I have a bit of a dilemma I want to share with the List and hopefully get some suggestions. I am thinking about selling my 1984 C27. I don't want to, but I think it makes financial sense, however, I am open to suggestions. See 1 ) we just had a baby girl in June and I don't see where I can sail and really enjoy it until she is 6 or 7 years old. 2) I now live about 2 hours from the marina (NOT including brutal NJ summer shore traffic) which could easily increase that time past 2 hours. So I can't just shoot down and go out for a short sail in the morning or evening. It is an ALL day thing. 3) I don't have anyone except my wife who I sail with and I don't think she would appreciate me taking off all day and leaving her with the baby. Dropping the baby at the grandparents every week is not an option. 4) I pay $1800 for the slip and $700 for winter storage (it is $1400 for dry land storage in the summer). So at the VERY least it is $2100 per year for 6-7 years and I am NOT sailing. 5) When our baby gets to be 6-7, she may not even want to go to the boat, rather hang out with her friends at home. Taking a friend for her down to the boat is OK - but it would be a sleepover and having the responsibility for someone else's child every weekend doesn't sound too appealing. So I was thinking of selling the boat and setting the cash aside. If she shows an interest later on, I could buy another boat. Just the 7 years at $2100 per year amounts to $14,700. Other folks must have been in the position before. That is why I am writing to you fellow sailors. I am not too fond of the leasing issue because I don't think the lessee would take any great care of it and then I am left with a boat needing some costly repairs. Are there any other alternatives? Only serious replies. Please Bob "Eileen" 1984 C-27
