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Friday, October 6, 2017

Small Boat Solution



Reports are coming out of Florida about the situation on the water. The devastation has been extensive in the Keys. I hear something like 70% of the boats were lost down there. Even boats that survived are sitting still. There are so many wrecks and so much debris in the channels that it's not safe. Then there's the little problem of where do you go? Quite a few marinas are out of business. Even people who don't normally stay at marinas still use their fuel docks, fresh water, and pump outs.

My lovely wife and I plan on sailing the waters of Florida this year. We are taking down our Oday 19 sailboat. With the swing keel retracted, it draws only a foot of water. That will allow us to get into places where most boats cannot go. Instead of being hung up on debris or new shoals, we should be able to pass right over most of them.

In the past we've gotten by quite well without marinas. We used Google maps to find things on shore, then located anchorages that let us reach what we needed. We've anchored off shore, kayaked to town and chained our kayak to a park bench. When I needed gas I'd often just carry a gas can down to a filling station.

Since the boat is a trailer sailor, we can pick and choose where we want to launch. If a section of waterway looks too sketchy, we'll be able to trailer it to a better location.

That's great. It's a good little boat. We even bought a new mainsail for it last summer. There is one persistent problem though. The cabin isn't very large. It is big enough for both of us and the dog to stretch out and sleep comfortably. There is not much room for anything else.

A bigger boat would be nice, but my lovely wife has a different idea. Instead of having a bigger boat, she wants to have smaller crew. If we both lose some weight, there will be more room. Dang, she's got a point. It even fits our budget much better than buying a bigger boat right now.

Salad anyone?

-Sixbears

16 comments:

  1. lol - There's always SOMEONE with a better idea!

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    1. So it goes. When that someone is the lovely wife, well . . . I'd better listen.

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  2. I've heard some pretty strange reasons for going on a weight loss adventure but this one is a new one. Good luck to you, the wife and the dog!

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    1. I don't think the dog will want to diet. :)

      Thanks for the well wishes.

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  3. I dropped 30# (330 now) my daughter has lost 60#, my son in law has lost 50#... all of us on a super low carb,high fat, no sugar diet. Eat all the meat and cheese you want. Keto diet.

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    1. It works. I've weight with it in the past. Illness and injury has kept me in more than normal, so I gained weight during that time.

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    2. YES, ME TOO! Isn't it great! Finally, after 25 years of trying to loose weight and keep it off I found the ketogenic low carb, high fat, moderate protein diet. And let me tell you I've gone to health spas and spent serious money. I look great for 2 months and then it piles back on. Been on this for 10 months and have lost 30 pounds. Actually 40 pounds (that 10 pounds I've lost twice). I've had a couple of family gatherings where I gained 5 and then lost them again only to go to another gathering a month later and do it again. Part in parcel of learning how to eat this way. Old habits creep back in but the weight is easy to loose once you go back on the diet. And remember if you eat more protein than your body needs for the day it will change that protein to sugars and store it in your body as fat. :)

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  4. I think you are lucky to have such a smart wife. Losing a little weight will extend your Life to appreciate all of the things this world has to offer. Less food eaten = less to store and purchase.

    Your logic for small boat usage sure does make a good case for having a small boat like that. Working with what you have.

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    1. My lovely wife is a smart one. Her only major error in life was her choice of husband. Let's keep that our little secret.

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  5. Nothing wrong with that plan. And it has many other side benefits as well. Not easy but well worth the effort.

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    1. I've got a doctor's appointment for a follow up next month. It would nice show up for that a few pounds lighter.

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  6. Ditto to Silvius. Not the easiest, but the smartest and cheapest. Good luck!

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