As you may recall, I retired last June, moved to the Seattle
area, and went shopping for a boat. I thought it'd be kinda
like shopping for a used car...100's to choose from.

The reality was that when I narrowed my selection criteria
as to size (28-32 feet), and price, the selection was pretty
sparse. I visited every broker I could find. I read every classified
ad from a number of sources. I browsed the internet. I walked
the docks. I didn't find a boat that made my heart beat just
a bit quicker but I crawled through maybe 30 boats, and did
my own mini-survey. Good education...you wouldn't believe
some of the things I saw...loose batteries, hose clamps falling
off, duct tape, gate valves galore, sawzall maniacs, tiny snap
shackles used with stays, on and on.

One kinda funny thing...every engine was reported as having
been rebuilt in the near past, and only had about 50 hours since
then, even if it was a pile of rust, cracked hoses, leaks, etc.

At any rate, I spotted a 1974 Yankee 30 in the boat yard a couple of
weeks ago, and called the owner. He lives out of town, and had
lost interest in the boat. A survey assured me that the important
parts were fine...hull, rigging, etc. I made an offer, which was
accepted, so I now join the rest of you in not having to worry
about what to do with spare cash.

Now I have to settle on a new name. It'll either be
"Misty LoRene", after my two daughters, or
"Heather Rose" after my youngest grandaughter..

Regards, Norm B