We are sitting in Chicagoland and the temp is 10 degrees with snow and ice all around. We certainly hope that future days will be more hospitable.

I've often alluded to the work we accomplished and the processes we went through without a lot of detail so I want to go back and fill in some of the holes and start with how we selected the boat we did.

We began our search for a new boat back in February as we were trying to narrow down our selection. We visited an IP 420 that was for sale in Oriental, NC and agreed that this would be a perfect boat for us. the floor plan with 2 cabins, 2 heads, a large storage area between the anchor locker and forward head, the large amount of storage throughout the boat and the larger cockpit made the boat desirable. Not to mention the bow thruster was a  big plus. We considered larger boats but given the budget we wanted to stay with the 420 fit needs very well.

Before we visited any boats we reviewed listings and our own plans and made an evaluative matrix so that we could compare boat to boat so we could arrive at an objective comparison of what's on the market. We identified some of the key component systems we needed to evaluate as well as the amenities we wanted in our new home.

We looked at 6 boats in places like Connecticut, Florida, North Carolina, Wisconsin and even the BVI. Each boat we looked at had issues that would require work to put into the condition we wanted

After our review and several boats being sold we decided to pursue the boat known as Wind Dreams in Racine, Wisconsin. the boat lacked any electronics and had been neglected for a number of years but was generally solid. It had spent it's life in fresh water which made it very clean because there was no corrosion from salt in any of the mechanical systems and the fact that it had been lightly used most of the storage areas were like new. It also had a hard dodger which would be great for offshore sailing. Many of the boats we saw had multiple HVAC systems to provide adequate air conditioning at the dock in Florida but not necessary offshore but Wind Dreams had only 1 HVAC system which took less storage space but would provide heat and air when needed.   

However, it had serious deficiencies that needed to be addressed and reflected in the purchase price. The boat had NO electronics except an outdated chart plotter and radar. The rigging and sails were not installed correctly. The engine had not been serviced properly and the propeller was not pitched correctly. The teak had been redone poorly and the hull badly needed compounding and waxing.

In the final analysis the weaknesses were all repairable and when done would render a boat in almost new condition. After doing a cost analysis of the work required we moved forward with an offer, contracted for the boat and closed on it.

After closing we had the boat transported by truck from Racine to Oxford, MD where the work was done.

Photos of the boat on the truck upon its arrival in Oxford. We didn't follow it because it didn't leave when it was supposed to so we weren't sure when it was leaving. The boat departed Racine on Thursday afternoon 28 August and made it around Chicago before it had to stop for the holiday weekend. Because of its size, the shipment required permits and escorts in each state it passed through. From there it went down I-65 to Indianapolis, then in I-70 to Washington, PA where it went down I-79 to I-68 and then back to I-70 to Baltimore. From Baltimore it went down I-97 to US 50 where it crossed the Bay Bridge and on down 50 to Easton where took the local roads to Oxford. We're sure it caused traffic backups when it moved and we apologize to anyone caught behind it.

Well enough for tonight. Next installments will describe in detail our improvements. Hopefully we will begin to head south and we will have more to report and will intersperse the work details with our travel details.