Patience is a Virtue!

Replacement Boat Update:

As we head into the last third of winter, there is still no boat to replace Encore for the 2023 season. We have a strong contender, but there have been many delays closing on this boat due to factors out of our control. The boat has been surveyed and is being worked on as I write this, but there are still a few unknowns that could cause further delays or perhaps cause the deal to be cancelled completely.

It is a good boat with many features, and satisfies the majority of our needs. It needs some minor cosmetic and repair work, but structurally the boat is in great shape. We have been on the constant lookout for alternative boats that fit our specs regarding age, cost, size and features, but inventory is so low that there is just not much to choose from in our price range. The cost of new boats had risen dramatically over the last three years and builders are still dealing with backlogs. Since new boat prices have gone up, so have the prices on pre-owned boats, and late model boats are holding their value very well. At the same time, interest rates are rising as well as the cost of insurance. 

This particular purchase experience has been quite unique with a couple of twists and turns, but I believe will turn out positive in the long run. Due to the extenuating factors with the seller and working through a broker that is also a dealer of the brand, the boat has gotten much more attention and service than what would be expected in a typical used boat sale. Once all of those details are addressed and we complete some of the upgrades that we want to do, it will be  a very good boat and hopefully have fewer surprises than the typical pre-owned boat.

We definitely need a boat this summer, still have a goal of being in the Bahamas next year, and are working towards making that happen. The boat purchase delay has given us time to review various options, and study anchorages, marinas and services in the Bahamas so that we will be prepared when the time comes. I am very anxious to get on the new boat, learn how it runs, check out all the systems and customize it for our way of cruising.

I really hope that we are on the downward slope of this process and that things will pick up quickly in the coming weeks. In the mean time, we try to stay patient, which historically has not been one of my best virtues!