I'd be tempted to contact every ad of the boats that interest you and get more info, pictures etc. Even see if there are inspectors that certify sea worthiness there and what the cost would be. Not sure if there is such a thing, but I would guess there are.Then take a trip and look at them if there are any serious contenders.
I'm pretty sure there are such inspectors, but for a free boat they'd be overkill. It would be one thing if I were dumping $100k on something nice, but in this case I think it would be like paying a dating service in hopes of snatching Sofia Vergara. Still, I know there are certain legal processes involved in registering boats that might require such an inspection, so I'll take it under advisement - thank you.
When I'm tempted to do something "out of the norm" and I have done a few things like that, I make two lists.
1. What are the benefits I'll gain by doing what ever it is; and
2. What is the worse thing that could happen and how to cope. If the pros outweigh the cons, then it's worth a harder look. If there is anything on the list #2 that you couldn't cope with, then don't do it.
That is indeed a
great decision-making system. My problem is that when I want something badly enough I get "short-eyes" and can't see the worst that could happen. Everything looks like a Disney cartoon where the animals sing and dance and candy grows on trees.
... that's when I usually end up running full-tilt into a cement wall.
There's really only ever ONE "worst thing that could happen" in my book - becoming an invalid and having Max Klinger as my nurse.
Everything other than that is up-side.
Being grown-up doesn't mean you can't take any chances anymore. It just means you can't blame anyone else but yourself if the s**t hits the fan!. And.... if by not doing it, you'll have regrets then think hard and long my friend. We only live once (that we'll remember anyway) so grab hold and make the most of it. It's an adventure in my books and think of the books you could write about that! See, that goes on list 1 along with the $$ generated by the books. Write a Blog!!!!! I think I'm getting more excited about the possibilities than you are......
How about I send YOU the address of those boats? :excitement:
I don't know ... I've never been a very excitable sort, but as I get older I find myself being less and less thrilled by anything. Perhaps it's terminal
cynicism or chronic pessimism - I just don't usually get that excited anymore.
I've grown ... *gasp* ...
comfortable ... where I am. And that, for me, isn't good.
The problem is that I don't want to be where I am for much longer. I've got the wanderlust upon me, the pirate blood is starting to boil and I find myself once again wishing to be near the ocean. I guess I associate some of my best times with being near water, and while I suppose my lust for adventure could be cured by hanging out in the aquarium section of PetCo I'm fairly certain it wouldn't be the same.
Certainly it would be food for publication, though - you're 100% right about that. Heck, if they can blog about some of the stuff they blog about and become best-sellers with the trash that's out there then I might have a chance after all.
Thank you for the pep talk - it's appreciated!