Boat for Sale

They say the best days of boat ownership are the day you buy it and the day you sell it. I can only comment on the first day. Almost 10 years ago we were very excited to buy our 34’ O’Day, Bolero. We had big plans, and early on we did everything we could to spend as much time on her as we could. I’d race over on my Friday lunch hour to drop off ice and groceries so we could head out for the weekend as soon as we were both out of work. We dreamed of sailing down the Intracoastal Waterway (well, actually I think you do more motoring than sailing), and possibly over to the Caribbean. The dreams kept us going during our working years and over the winters when she was out of the water and on the hard.

Sailboats in rough weather are a workout of their own. Hell, sailboats in good weather are a workout.

But something else happened during that time as well. While our skills improved and our decommissioning and re-commissioning became rote we found ourselves spending less time on the water. Family issues, with loses of loved ones and elderly parents, other projects requiring time (and money), and new interests took over. I must sadly report that we didn’t even launch Bolero for the season until late June and we sailed her exactly once this summer. And interestingly, neither one of us was dying to race down there to spend time on her.

Boat ownership is a tough gig. I do guilt really well, so not spending time on her nagged me as a waste of the money we’d spent on slip fees and maintenance. The work we do on her gets harder as we get older, and sailboats in rough weather are a workout of their own. Hell, sailboats in good weather are a workout. And I’ve found myself, if entirely truthful, to be a nervous sailor when we have others on board, as it is our responsibility to keep them safe. So it is with both sadness and relief that we’ve decided to sell Bolero.

So, if you know of anyone looking to buy a lovingly cared for older boat, perfect for a couple or small family, send them this link: deborahdishes.com/bolero.

While the day we hand the keys to a new owner will be a good one, it will also be a sad one. Bolero blessed us with many hours of happiness, which we hope she shares with a new, happy family.

May she always have fair winds and following seas.