jrw - Wow that video was cool. And gross. And eye opening. I can only imagine what the inside of that boat smelled like after a summer with those kids on it. I'm equally jealous and appalled of them just jumping in head first with a devil-may-care attitude and getting away with it. But their freedom is... infectious. I'm going to try hard to avoid the floating van down by the river look. Or at least have a clean van.
Triumph5 - Sent you a message. Also, Would it make a difference if the current owner said the keel issue was addressed when they purchased the boat a few years ago by having the bolts replaced, the joint caulked and all that, and the keel glassed on smooth? Additionally they said it was last hauled and painted with an ablative bottom paint early last May that claims to be good for 3-4 seasons. These guys have been living in Henderson's Wharf, one or two marina's in closer to the inner harbor than Anchorage. I've sent a couple of emails to Anchorage looking for a response to actually see the place in person (have NOT mentioned living aboard as I actually want to talk to them first) and I've eyed the Baltimore Marine Center pier$ from a distance.
I'm personally 50/50 on the head vs. porta-pot. Which will be easier and less unpleasant in winter, motoring over to the pump-out or taking the storage part of the porta out to dispose of?
I dunno, part of me likes the idea of doing with less. Part of me also really likes hot showers in the morning and ice-cold a/c or soul warming heat when I want it. The financial incentive is there for me as well, to live in Fells Point or Canton on land would be extremely expensive especially by myself. I can see it being really cozy and fun assuming I get enough heaters and insulation to keep the damn thing warm (and dry inside) and keep her clean; I can also see it being an unending stinky pit of misery while I freeze my ass off in winter and broil the rest of summer and sit up sleepless most nights from the motion, storms, city noise, worries, maintenance, etc. More or less I expect it to be as comfortable as I am when I'm camping, because I realize thats basically what you're doing on a boat that normal non-rich folks can afford.
Right now I'm leaning towards renting a room in someone's house month to month and keep boat shopping while trying to crew during the weekday races as much as possible.
