We Have a New Boat

April 2022

WE HAVE A NEW BOAT!!

Following a longer layover than we ever expected due to the Covid pandemic, scarcity of quality used boats, crazy pricing due to that scarcity and our inability to just settle for anything but our dream boat, we have finally closed on our next boat. After completing the Great Loop and selling our 2010 38' Marine Trader sundeck trawler we knew we wanted to continue the cruising lifestyle but in a larger pilothouse style boat. Let me introduce you to the new "As You Wish"

2003 Ocean Alexander 511 Pilothouse

We considered a number of different boats in our search based on our list of "wants" and were able to tour a number of them including a 48' Bayliner, 53' Eagle, 49' Hampton, 48' Offshore, 48' McKinna, and 54' Symbol. We had a backup contract on the 54' Symbol but it didn't work out as the first buyer went through with that deal. We've always had our eyes on 51' Ocean Alexanders since there was one that cruised the Great Loop with us but they are hard to find. Back in the spring of 2021 we contacted Ray and Dianne on "Radian Journey" as they passed through Myrtle Beach on their loop to see if we could get a tour of their boat. It hit the top of our list. The owners stated "We'll be selling it after the loop if you're interested". At the time we laughed thinking we'll surely have our boat purchased way before then. Fast forward 9 months and we were still boatless. We happen to see via the Great Loop forum that "Radian Journey" had crossed her wake and completed the loop in Key West. We reach out to them and "yes, still planning to sell after a few months enjoying the winter in the keys and possibly a trip to the Bahamas". Several other people had expressed an interest in buying the boat when they were done so we knew we needed to act fast. A contract was sent that evening and the deal was done. Now it was a waiting game. Everything worked out fine. They enjoyed the keys with family visits, decided to forego the Bahama's and moved the boat up to Stuart for haul out and surveys which all went great. We officially took ownership on April 27!!