LAW 39: A NEW BOAT FOR FRIENDS

Our good friends Chris and Shannon decided a little while ago that they were not going to live their live's under the thumb of their corporate masters. On a Monday morning not to terribly long ago as they were driving back to their 'day' jobs, they ran the numbers and decided to throw out their five year plan, and as they said, 'come home'.

first look at her

So, they joined Mungo and i as livaboards. We found ourselves wondering if we were responsible for their decision, you know, where we 'bad examples'? I think not! Admittedly in the best of times, with thorough planning stepping of the cliff(or plank) can be a scary prospect; particularly if you are abandoning the security of a good paying job, but if that job does not make you happy, does not fulfill you, and most importantly if you do have other options, why wait? Exactly! We are so imprisoned by the things we have, things, i might add, that we bought to make us happy, to make our lives' easier that we can no longer see the bars.

Nepenthe, remover of sorrows, or forgetfulness, seems appropriate

That said, they almost immediately discovered that their 25' motor boat, perfect for weekending, was simply not big enough for full time, comfortable, life. Since they already had been planning on retiring to a larger sail boat it was really only a matter of moving up the timetable. If you are not familiar with the beauty and utility of Craig's list, where have you been living? They found a 31' Cal in need of tender loving care, and after a couple of inspection visits and some minor negotiation found themselves the proud new owners of said boat, Nepenthe, by name.

yup! bottom paint does smell bad

Okay, so there is a lot of work to be done, most of it cosmetic. I did indicate that she's a 'project' boat. We helped them apply the bottom paint last week, the through holes have all been checked and closed. Chris is redoing the stuffing box this weekend. Nepenthe will be launched Monday morning, which is when we will discover the most important thing about her, or any other boat, will she float and will she float upright? Stay tuned.

Chris painting the rudder

More later,
Morgainne