I finally bit the bullet...

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 3:14 am

Frank, Naming the boat after her is always a nice touch. Frank Price

Mikedcabo · Post by **Mikedcabo** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 3:32 am

quote: Frank, Naming the boat after her is always a nice touch. That's an interesting idea. Or you could just go with the "let's just get the bitchin' over with quickly school of thought" and name it for what she won't get now because you bought a big toy for yourself, like-Mary's Ring or Betty's Diamond [:p] With that in mind, I looked back at some of our names. Gives a whole new meaning to a few of them.... 33 Megabites....the file size of the divorce decree the lawyer just emailed Nites Off...what you will soon have Fish Stix...your new supper menu 7 nights a week Hot Rod Blue, Long Time Com'n, Same Ol Tuna...nuf said [:p]

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 4:22 am

Funny story, My wifes birthday was last month.knowing that she is usually the one who cleans and waxes the boat.(do not ask me how i arranged that)I have a great wife who loves the boat as much as I.I hired a detail company to fully detail the boat for her birthday.She was happy.When her friend ,one of our boating friends found out ,she was astonished that i would do such a lame thing because it makes all boating wives look bad.So my birthday was last week .Her friend decided to be funny and bought me a manicure and a pedicure![:o)] Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 4:55 am

I bet your finger and toe nails look great! Frank B Actively looking newbie

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 5:02 am

Frank B, Hopefully you'll be changing your signature soon. Something like Actively Restoring Owner[:D]. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 5:04 am

...also, if you have a digital camera, try taking a bunch of shots during the survey. It would make a great addition to the slide show section. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 5:07 am

quote:Originally posted by photo finish Her friend decided to be funny and bought me a manicure and a pedicure![:o)] I thought your nails looked a little ragged when we went to Pats-Fins game. That's what you get for being a Dolfan![:p] (God I hate that word almost as much as I hate that lame song they play whenever they score!) Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 7:52 am

Belated Happy Birthday Tim! 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:43 am

Thanks Ed. Hey Doug the fish have won 3 straight...man do they need a QB. maybe they can get one from the Marlins they are giving away everyone else. Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:45 am

oh...and my nails look fine just the way they are thank you very much! Maybe i can get the beautitian to come buff my boat! Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 7:46 am

Somehow the subject of my buying a boat has morphed into the condition of Tim's toenails.. but what can I say.. I am a newcomer here! I just "go with the flow". Today we agreed on a price.. and I have spoken with a highly recommended hull/systems surveyor, and have his quote in hand. I have a call in to the engine surveyor I want to use, he is known to be very busy but I expect to contact him early next week. I have a good friend in the boat brokerage business (he is not involved in this deal) who has agreed to go with me for a pre survey sea trial, before I spend any surveyor money. The hull surveyor has recommended we do the engine survey first, and if all is OK in that regard we can do the hull survey. He says several times he has been involved in joint hull/engine surveys where the engines were found to have major problems and the prospective buyer stopped the deal at that point, and had to terminate the hull survey, wasting some money, although the hull surveyor says in that case he usually cuts his charges in half. All this seems reasonable to me.. I can drive to where the boat is in about 3 1/2 hours, so three trips there for surveys aren't going to be a problem for me. The seller has asked if we can wait on anything further until after New Years, which is OK with me. I already have some digital pictures of the boat from my last visit, but they don't show the details I have been discussing here.. if you are all interested I can try to post pics after I start working on the boat. I expect it will be a pretty thorough interior rebuild, at least in the salon. I believe the v berth, head and lower bunk cabin are OK, however I need to look more closely here. I will have to remove the crappy oak strip flooring the owner installed.. it is glued down so I don't know how big a deal that will be.. I might have to just rip up the whole floor and replace it. (A good chance to see what is beneath and renew what needs attention). This is the largest boat I have ever bought.. and the largest boat project I have ever undertaken.. I have been impressed here with all your entheusiasm and high regard for these boats, and I am going to hold each one of you personally responsible for my entering this deal! I'll be back! Frank B Actively looking newbie

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 9:53 am

Congratulations to you Frank, feels good doesn't it! It sounds like you have selected some good people to surveyor the vessel so you are on your way. Now that you are going to be redoing the salon, it will be easy to break the news to your wife... "Honey I know how much you like decorating, so you're really going to love this..." Hey, it sounds good anyway! [;)] 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida

Don33 · Post by **Don33** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 5:12 am

quote:Originally posted by IRGuy ...The hull surveyor has recommended we do the engine survey first, and if all is OK in that regard we can do the hull survey. He says several times he has been involved in joint hull/engine surveys where the engines were found to have major problems and the prospective buyer stopped the deal at that point, and had to terminate the hull survey, wasting some money... Using a phased appraoch to the engine & hull surveys sounds like a good idea. On my current boat, I had a joint hull/engine survey done in December and we kind of rushed things due to nasty weather. Fortunately, it was a one-owner boat that seemed to be in very good condition so I didn't believe the risk level was all that great and we managed to complete the entire survey that day. No unusual or significant problems have poped up since then, however if I had to do it all over again I'd take my time and do the engines first, then move on the hull as your friend wisely suggested. Thanks for sharing that advise with us.

Jose Jaen · Post by **Jose Jaen** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 5:32 pm

Good for you Frank. It seems that you have done some thorough research on the vessel prior undergoing such endeavor and many of the needed upgrades and repairs will not be surprises to you. You mentioned that the cabin's deck will need to be replaced. If you review "Slide Show" in this site you'll see what we did. The multiple hatches provide easy access for maintenance and repairs. By the time you complete this project she will provide endless hours of joy as Blue Chip has done for us. Obviously the amount of time and money you dedicate will dictate how soon you'll be cruising. Besides cosmetics and speed considerations I would encourage you to also closely attend to safety concerns (EPIRB, adecuate bilge pumps, raft,on board spare parts, dual communications, navigation and ground tackle) specially when your family's wellbeing could be at stake. I am sure boat magazines and catalogues will monopolize your reading for a long time and boat shows all over will be your favorite sojourn. By the time your complete improvements (never) your boat should be object of your pride even while docking next to monsters in Fisher Island or Atlantis. Good Luck. Jose Jose Jaen "Blue Chip" 1993 33FBC Miami FL

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 8:10 am

Jose... Thanks for the encouragement and suggestions.. I am already starting a list of things to do.. first thing will be to stop the freshwater leaks.. one at the aft lower corner of the starboard salon window.. and there are at least two coming down both aft corners of the salon overhead.. probably from some missing fittings the owner left off after he painted the topsides a year or so ago. (There is still blue painters masking tape on some of the fittings on the flybridge!). As far as safety gear.. there is a liferaft (expired of course).. I will buy an EPIRB before I go any distance. (I don't know if you saw in one of my earlier posts but I did have to set off a 406 EPIRB from a sailboat a couple of years ago about 185 miles south of Nantucket on a trip from Bermuda to Plymouth, MA.. They really do work! That made me a believer!). I believe I have an excellent hull/systems surveyor lined up, so I need to hear what he comes up with before I prioritize my ToDo list. I am a pretty fair finish carpenter/furniture maker (not by profession, but I am presently trimming out our new house)so I don't think the necessary cabinet work is a real concern, other than taking more time than a professional would.. I do know the aft bulkhead in the salon has some delaminatinated areas beneath the windows on either side of the sliding door that I need to repair.. am planning on doing that from the inside when I gut the salon, so I keep the outer skin intact. I did see your pics of the cabin sole.. beautiful work! I am considering using a manmade imitation wood product, but I don't know what just yet. I am sort of a purist.. I still love real wood, but the new materials should last longer with less maintenance. I will be asking lots of questions after I get started.. so stand by! Frank B Somewhere between having made an offer and passing papers