SHIP'S LOG:
It was pouring rain so it was appropriate to go down to the Mystic Shipyard and begin the process of getting ABISHAG hauled. I went down and signed the contract and put down 1/2 of the cost. I decided that since the cost of hauling for storage on the bricks and storing in the water cost exactly the same that I would leave ABISHAG in her element. Doing so also saved me the cost of rent the boat stands(35 x 7), removing both masts ($500 x 2), power washing ($150), and several other items that had to be done if she were stored on land,so it turned out to be a no brainer, especially considering what I had to do to get the money I already have for storage. It will require a little more work on my part but it is worth it. It will also mean that being in the water makes her livable upon . . . once the weather gets warm in the spring. It will also mean that she will be more accessible for prospective buyers.
Hopefully I will be able to shanghai a warm body to help with the move on Saturday. It is not that it will be a difficult move. It will be a simple move. It is not the move where I will need the assistance, rather it will be the docking. Not having to have put the boat into a slip all season, my "expertise" in that manuever is a little suspect. It will be a good thing to have someone help with the last 20 feet or so of the trip, especially with the tie up.
After signing the contract with the yard, I went over to Mystic Shipyard Brokers and made arrangements to list ABISHAG for sale. Both of the brokers (two brothers no less) were very nice and very positive. To say that they were drooling is not much of an exaggeration. They were very upbeat and made it clear that "they thought" that selling her won't be that much of a problem.(Anyone who believes that, stand on your head!) They said the market was active and that they really felt that it will be done.
They gave me a copy of the "Listing Agreement." This document is a description of the boat and all of the equipment on it and the general condition of each piece, from sails to engine and everything in between. Looking at it, it was something akin to an obituary. It was unsettling to fill it out. Actually the toughest line to fill in, and one which I haven't done yet,
is the selling price. What is the price of a dream? Replacement value of the boat is $600,000. I paid $53,000. I put about $25,000 into her so far. What do I put down for the sell price( the broker's commission will be 10%)? I have to come up with a price by Monday. What do I pot done on the line "Selling Price"?
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
It was good that it was a cold and rainy and miserable day. It was a perfect expression of exactly what I was feeling. I wanted to say the hell with it and just head south. Obviously that isn't possible. It would be a bad thing to go go through foreclosure, have my "credit" go into the toilet and then have the police after me. I need the money especially if the condo continues not selling. If it sells, then maybe, just maybe, selling ABISHAG won't be necessary. The whole situation just sucks. Even though I was able to raise money for this months bills and the angels came through for winter storage, there is still next month to worry about. And the month after that. And the month after that. Etc. Etc. Etc.