I Did An Awful Thing Today . . . .

SHIP'S LOG:

I did an awful thing today. I talked with a broker about selling ABISHAG. It is not a done deal and it is not a sure thing, but it was awful making that phone call.

The idea is that I will haul-out in Mystic and have the brokers handle the sale of ABISHAG. I will work over the fall, winter and spring to get her ready for next season, but if someone comes along with a good offer, I am afraid that I will have to let her go. I haven't been able to sell the condo. I have too much credit card debt. My income has taken a serious nose dive. I haven't won Powerball (hell, I have had one right number in two years). I really don't see any way out.

I still have to pay for the winter haul-out and launching, the maintenance that needs doing, and the launching in the Spring. I don't have to pay for the insurance as no one will insure me or her. Then there is registration with Connecticut and the fee at the Yacht Club. The problem is that there is just too much month left at the end of the money these days.

Like I said, it is not a done deal. No one may want to pay the asking price. The market after all, despite what the broker would have you believe, is really non-existent and now is the worst time to sell. There are lots of people wanting to dump their boats and save themselves the cost of winter hauling and storage. But we shall see what we shall see. It is an awful thing.

MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:

The toughest thing about selling your boat is getting your head around the idea that you are selling your boat. I look at all the work and effort I have put in since I have owned ABISHAG and I don't want to sell it. If it sells it is the end of "The Dream." Not really, of course, but it will seem that way. After all, a major, major component of the dream will be gone . . .the boat. Tough to sail away anywhere without a boat. I really don't expect her to sell. If I price her high enough I can guarantee that will be the case, but I just have to come to terms that if a good and fair prices comes, she has to go. The good thing will be that she will go to someone else who will be living their sailing dream, someone who is going to travel and journey. Knowing that will ease the pain of parting, a little but not all that much. Then again, there are lots of boats out there, so who knows what the future may bring.

When I bring to boat to the yard, I will meet with the brokers and begin the process. It is going to be like having a root canal done anally!