I got a bad case of boat fever at 19. I was traveling and hungry and found a job in Athens on a 1903, 88ft yawl called the Ebliss. I sailed the Greek islands and came back to the US totally smitten. Years passed but somehow I never got my boat. I must have bought a 100 cars, but no boat! I got married and worked a job and then the babies started to come. Every two years another baby and by the time I figured out what was causing it I had 8 children. So the size of my boat dream had to grow to accomodate more people while the funds to buy one got smaller. I never gave up the dream though. A boat represented something fairy-like, a life outside real life. And the more the burdens of life squeezed me the more I dreamed about owning a boat and going to sea. I spent countless hours reading boat magazines, boat building books and surfing the internet, red-eyed into the night looking at used boat listings. My wife never really understood my boat fetish and never gave me any encouragement to actually buy one "I have NO interest in boats" she'd say " why do you want to go out on the water anyway...its scary"
The other day I sold a car and with money in hand I once again I surfed the net. Saw a great deal on a 41 trimaran. I told my wife, "hey this is it, I'm getting older, if I dont get my boat now..when? How many years of strength do I have? " She was quiet. No response. Later that day the cell phone rang " I've been thinking " she said "maybe you ought to get your boat". She didn't have to say it twice. I can hardly believe it! I have my boat. She sleeps 10! And since 3 of my kids have sinced married and moved away I got room to spare, might even take the dog. I am 51. Makes me want to do sit-ups, change the diet, jog! I am ready for my adventure. I plan to sail boat from North Carolina (where i bought it) to my home in Costa Rica but havn't a clue how to do it But...what fun. Any and all advice eagerly welcomed. ARRRRRR!
Regards to all my sick friends out there.
Steve Behncke
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