Great boat, great trip,... but at a price.

[Spirit]

Hello everyone:

As some of you may remember from our posts in April and May, Jo and I got to take Spirit on a wonderful extended cruise this summer. We spent 49 days aboard her and traveled approximately 700 miles through British Columbia. After clearing customs in Sydney, we cruised the Gulf Islands, crossed the Strait of Georgia, traveled to Princess Louisa Inlet and Chatterbox Falls and then worked our way north.

After Westview and Refuge Cove, we cleared the Yuculta Rapids, stayed at Blind Channel, proceeded up Johnstone Strait to Lagoon Cove and saw a lot of the Broughton Islands. Its hard to describe 49 days of adventure without taking up a lot of space and boring everyone, but it was an unbelievable trip and we met some incredible people. We were always the smallest but pluckiest boat out there.

The boat performed flawlessly. We even had our next trip planned before we took Spirit out of the water. At the recommendation of some neat people we met on the trip, we planned to do parts of America's Great Loop, which is the continuous waterway that circumnavigates the eastern portion of North America - along the Atlantic seaboard, across the Great Lakes, through the inland rivers, and around the Gulf of Mexico. It is sometimes referred to as the Great Circle Route. Accordingly, we had a full 400 hour service package performed on the engines at Cap Sante Marine and had any gelcoat cracks, dings, or bings fixed while the boat was in the shop. The boat looks incredible.

Unfortunately, however, when we got back to Montana we discovered that the largest client for our small business had learned to live without us. So this meant a radical change in our plans. We are selling all our toys (motorcycle and vintage truck are already gone) and planning on renting out our house in the mountains of Montana for several years. So sadly, Spirit is for sale.

We purchased her in March of 2005 for $45,000. Before our trip we had hydraulic steering, autopilot, radar and new large screen GPS chartplotter installed on the boat by EQ Marine. All of this cost us over $8,000. We also added a steel Spade anchor for $369.00 and a 300 foot anchor rode as well as 2 Optima Marine Batteries. All told we have approximately $54,000 dollars in the boat, but we are offering it for $49,900. Our loss will certainly be someone else’s gain.

The boat also has some really nice touches that were added by the previous owner such as a folding cockpit bench seat, a removable transom table for drinks and snacks, slide out storage racks in the galley, radio cabinet with storage, and teak chart racks. These items are all custom and make the boat more comfortable and ready to go anywhere.

If any of you know someone looking for a great boat that’s fully outfitted please let them know about Spirit. A detailed description of her is posted on the “For sale by owner forum”. Thanks to everyone.

[Luna C]

This is a story with a sad ending! (OK, middle of the story - as it is still being written). It was nice meeting you in the San Juans when you picked up your C-Dory. I wish the best for the two of you. Some one will end up with a great boat.

[Spirit]

Janet & Chris - Thanks for the words of encouragement! We are doing great and know full well that life is an adventure...things will work out fine! Hope to see you again.

[john schuler]

I was looking forward to boating in COWBOYLAND with you guys read .
You are still welcome over in the best part of the LAST BEST PLACE there
is still a few weeks of boating let me know.
john schuler

[Alyssa Jean]

Having been the "previous owner" of Spirit, I can attest to the fact that this is a great boat with lots of extras. Dave and Jo added and/or upgraded a lot of things before their trip up north.

Kate and I are sorry to hear they are having to sell the boat. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting them, having them stay with us prior to their trip, and receiving the updates of their trip via email.

We wish them the best in the future.

[Spirit]

Thanks so much for the note! We will still have to get together in COWBOWLAND and throw back a few!