Another "We're Official C-Brats" Thread

JMacLeod

We just got back from a fantastic day with Geof and Kevin from Three Rivers Marine.
After admiring the beautiful custom canvas install (utilizing Dr. Bob's advice), we got a full and very detailed explanation of the boat and systems from stem to stern, and Kevin was an amazingly patient and knowledgeable teacher.

I took full advantage of this and had him guide the Admiral from launch, through navigating the rules of the road, to docking.
She handled it all like a champ.

Slow and steady on the controls, and no panicky over-correcting back at the dock.
She said she feels confident enough that she could help launch and trailer the boat now.
I don't think it could have gone better.

An hour later it was all signatures and handshakes.
She was officially ours!

Soon to be christened the C-Shalom, (Sea of Peace).
Lettering mock-up:

JMacLeod · Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2018 1:25 am Post subject:

Some pics of the Bimini canvas.

Love that smile. Very Happy

MikeR · Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2018 1:32 am Post subject:

Congrats, boat looks great! Sounds like a perfect maiden voyage too!

PaulNBriannaLynn · Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2018 8:47 am Post subject:

Oh wow congratulations!!! I love it. We crawled all over this boat, and hopefully Geoff wiped off our drool we left in your cabin Laughing

We sat down with Geoff and crunched the numbers and just couldn't commit. But we wanted to sooo bad. I'm so happy you guys did, she is such a beauty Love

BuildItOnce · Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2018 10:03 am Post subject:

Congrats! That looks like a fantastic boat. I would love to crawl around one of these and see how they compare to the 22 and 23.

Looking forward to hearing about your experiences.

dotnmarty · Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2018 10:12 am Post subject:

Mozel tov C-Shalom

BillE · Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2018 11:36 am Post subject:

Way to go, guys----congrats! Beautiful boat, love it.

smckean (Tosca) · Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2018 2:18 pm Post subject:

I'm curious.....is the support structure for the canvas aluminum or stainless?

JMacLeod · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 1:33 pm Post subject:

hardee · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 2:10 pm Post subject:

Congratulations and ENJOY. What a beautiful boat. Love that name too.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

gulfcoast john · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 9:03 pm Post subject: TC255

We think you guys made the best decision in buying new with warranties and local dealer, rather than spending years of beautiful boating days ‘fixing up’ a fixer-upper rather than boating on it.
Yes, there is depreciation like a truck rather than appreciation like a fixed-upper, but you have a niche boat that will command a premium in 5 years should you decide this lifestyle is not for you. Premium 5 year old TomCat 255’s for sale are very rare (as you already found out).
VHF and other antennas are great lightning rods, fold them down when off the boat. At my marina, I am the only geezer who does this. Oh, well.
In my readings of the Brats postings since I became an addict in 2013 it seems to me that most give it up due to aging, health issues, and health issues related to aging (is that one issue, or three?). In any event, hopefully these will not be issues for you two (sorry, three) anytime soon. And we can all hope and pray to be more like Bob and Marie Austin than the average geezer like me.
We’ll be at Key West Stock Island Marina Village next month Nov 25-Dec 29, come on down and visit (this invite is for all), $33/night (for >28 days) plus $10/day for power and $10/d for trailer storage at Garrison Bight City Marina launch ramp (don’t try to launch a TC255 anywhere else in Key West). You have to boat around the whole island, don’t take Cow Channel as a shortcut. May be problematic for other than TC255 if Small Craft Advisories are flying. Make reservations on Dockwa and cancel in 48 hours for no cost.
https://www.stockislandmarina.com/
Boca Grande Key or Marquessas is reachable with a weather window in Nov/Dec/Jan, but I remain on record against Dry Tortegas then. We’ll take the seaplane again…go often, just not on your C-Dory then.
For your first cruise destination close by, we highly recommend the Moorings, Longboat Key. 5 star marina resort with private shuttle van, beach pools and properties, marina pool and hot tub that no one will be in, access to great gym, St Armands Circle restaurants where we bought a Scallop Dinner that had exactly 3 scallops for $40.00. Take the free shuttle to the Publix and they have the same scallops for $10, but if we were cheap we would not have a TC255, right?
You also must plan on the Hontoon Gathering, March 5-7, cruising the lower St John river at 6MPH in Old Style Florida though only 60 miles from the East Coast. The crew of Mighty Wench (a Rosborogh 26) found out first hand how long it takes two manatees to mate (four hours). They couldn’t move.
I must admit that at over 5 years of ownership of a 2010 TC255 that I am still flabbergasted at being the owner of the newest one posting, although several newer ones have posted til buying, then drifted off non-communicado. Oh, well. Don’t be them, John.
My best advice:
Never, ever yell at each other.
Laugh at docking errors, bumps and scrapes. Wait til 3 years to pay a pro to fix them, it will be cheap overall, like a truck.
For high-risk rocky or coral areas like the keys, sub a cheap SOLAS aluminum prop…$105 each and they won’t crack the SS propshaft on the Suzuki’s when they strike rock.
Call me anytime, best of luck and fair winds and gently following seas!
John

JMacLeod · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 9:58 pm Post subject:

JMacLeod · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 11:14 pm Post subject:

JMacLeod · Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 2:39 am Post subject: Re: TC255

hardee · Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 12:14 pm Post subject:

JMacLeod said: "This time next month I'll probably still be alternating between practicing basic docking maneuvers and working on my fiberglass repair skills."

Maybe this isyour first twin powered boat. If so, take a note here. Do not (Repeat -- DO NOT use your steering wheel anytime youbare docking. Rolling Eyes

Use the throttles in oposition, one forward, one reverse. Your TomCat has twin engines, learn to use them that way from the get go. Sooooo much easier and better control. And maybe you won't hear what I did early on from a very big voice coming from way up high above me, as I was struggling to get into a dock, beside a 3 story B-boat. ("Sonny, take your d_a_m_n hands off that wheel!") The voice came down to my dock and took me on a ride on my own boat. A half hour later I went back to the dock, still with that BIG voice aboard, and docked under his watchful eye, without using the steering wheel, all the way in from the marina opening. Hint here, get used to using idle speeds, and be patient. Practice until you don't have to think about it.

All the best,

Harvey
SleepyC Moon