After years of searching we finally pulled the trigger and bought the boat we want to cruise on. This had not been an easy process. Originally we wanted to have a Gulfstar 54 Motorsailer. This boat had enough powerboat features to make me happy and sails to exten
d the cruising range. But this was not to be. Gulfstar only made 21 of these yachts and the current owners are mighty proud of these boats. The average one sell for approx. twice what it did when it was sold brand new. With the economic times and the results to our investments, It was decided that the only way we were going to get to cruise was to downgrade our sights a bit.
We found a Gulfstar 50, although the boat is not a peach (imagine 10 miles of bad road), the deal was right and we now have our future cruising rig. The vessel will require extensive reftting and we are in the process of doing that now.
The first order of business was to save the boat from the clutches of the boat yard where it was being held hostage. Without naming names, lets just say that all the boatyards in Ft. Pierce, FL are not very welcoming to those that with those that wish to do their own work. I have been doing this type of work for 30+ years, and I want to do this one by myself, for myself. We found a boatyard in Cape Canaveral, FL that is very easy to get along with. Cape Marina charges a reasonable price, lets you live aboard the boat, lets you pull your truck into the yard, and most importantly welcomes do-it-yourself owenrs/repairers. The only problem is we have to get the boat to Port Canaveral, a mere 70 miles, piece of cake right?
d the cruising range. But this was not to be. Gulfstar only made 21 of these yachts and the current owners are mighty proud of these boats. The average one sell for approx. twice what it did when it was sold brand new. With the economic times and the results to our investments, It was decided that the only way we were going to get to cruise was to downgrade our sights a bit.We found a Gulfstar 50, although the boat is not a peach (imagine 10 miles of bad road), the deal was right and we now have our future cruising rig. The vessel will require extensive reftting and we are in the process of doing that now.
The first order of business was to save the boat from the clutches of the boat yard where it was being held hostage. Without naming names, lets just say that all the boatyards in Ft. Pierce, FL are not very welcoming to those that with those that wish to do their own work. I have been doing this type of work for 30+ years, and I want to do this one by myself, for myself. We found a boatyard in Cape Canaveral, FL that is very easy to get along with. Cape Marina charges a reasonable price, lets you live aboard the boat, lets you pull your truck into the yard, and most importantly welcomes do-it-yourself owenrs/repairers. The only problem is we have to get the boat to Port Canaveral, a mere 70 miles, piece of cake right?
The launch turned out to be interesting, since they would not let us work on the boat in the yard, we had to do some midnight mechanics to get the boat at least ready to float. But we prepared as best we could and launched the next day. I was assited by my friend Scott. I immediately fell into the captain mode and Scott came up with the working motto for the trip."Captain says, Scott do"
Of course the engine would not start, and after some help from Tim at Whittaker marine. we got into the water and over to the fuel dock. After loading aboard 103 gallons of diesel fuel (The boat only is supposed to hold 100 gallons). We moved the boat to a dock and checked everything to make sure it would stay afloat. The rest of the day was spent provisioning for the trip north
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