8.7.8 Thursday Marathon. Well we went boat shopping in Key West yesterday. It broke my heart. I was so excited about the condition of this Morgan 43' sailboat i had found. On the internet it was so clean and well maintained, with photos of upgrades and the 'general condition' of the boat. We got there and sure enough - it was beautiful. the owner had taken great care of the Sailboat. "they loved their home." (this was the first boat i had seen where the owner was still living aboard. all the others were empty, stuffy and most neglected) Captn Joe had the airconditioner cranked down nice and cool for us. we stomped around on deck looking at everything. every line, doo hickey and gizmo and how it all tied together. 'Clean and neat.' Then we went below deck and i bumped my head... the ceiling height was too low. Heartbroken. 
standing in the shower. 
the bed. (Goldilocks?)
standing in the shower. 
the bed. (Goldilocks?)The second boat was a Morgan 41 Out Island Ketch. it was more rustic. the owners wife has failing health and they have not been to the boat in a year. (~80 years olds) the second boat had much more ceiling height but was not as 'ready to drive off the lot.' at one point Craig was looking in the engine room and "spotted some water dripping." 
(note his eye & water) It might have been a fine boat, but i didnt get a warm fuzzy from it... One thing of interest - this boat was on the Naval Air Base. the owners friend "Gunny" had to come meet us at the gate and escort us to the marina. (really, that's his nickname) then he waved us goodbye and we proceeded to get lost trying to find the main gate. came to signs "no unauthorized access" and "no cameras allowed." (i didnt feel real welcome about that time) fortunately it was a slow day at the base and we managed to turn around 4 times and find our way out.
(note his eye & water) It might have been a fine boat, but i didnt get a warm fuzzy from it... One thing of interest - this boat was on the Naval Air Base. the owners friend "Gunny" had to come meet us at the gate and escort us to the marina. (really, that's his nickname) then he waved us goodbye and we proceeded to get lost trying to find the main gate. came to signs "no unauthorized access" and "no cameras allowed." (i didnt feel real welcome about that time) fortunately it was a slow day at the base and we managed to turn around 4 times and find our way out.Now i have a new list. monday i'll start the search off again and up the east coast of Florida. At least now i'm somewhat smarter and have a very long list of boats i cant fit on. Also, a very SHORT list of boats where i can stand up straight. So, i have begun to narrow my search.
I'm now looking at Morgan 41' Classic's. (like Craig has - where i fit) 
I know i can stand up on this model. there were a few other boats but they were much larger and more expensive. my hope is to find a nice one of these in my price range.... (good luck)
I know i can stand up on this model. there were a few other boats but they were much larger and more expensive. my hope is to find a nice one of these in my price range.... (good luck)Also: i saw some 'shade' that i liked. (very important down here!) 
AND a boat i can afford! 
my only hope is that before i leave i catch a fish so big i dont feel silly sitting in this chair. (it could happen) 
AND a boat i can afford! 
my only hope is that before i leave i catch a fish so big i dont feel silly sitting in this chair. (it could happen) 
still enjoying the search. a little tired, but not discouraged.
shopping in Florida. -skip
