Tales of a Trawler

If the rest of my life with all of its trials and tribulations wasn't going on, I would have done a better job of posting about the "birth" of Bon Dia II. But of course, that is life... trials, triumphs, failures, successes. So, more about those things later.

As a part of the purchasing process, we had a survey done. Here in our area of the state, there is one surveyor one wants, if you are the purchaser. His reputation for attention to detail is unsurpassed. In fact, the often said statement is "There has never been a boat that he really likes, because he will always find everything there is that could be wrong with a boat." So... we turned to him. The inspections was done, items to be fixed were listed. This in turn, affected our initial offering price to the boat owner. The finaly price was agreed upon and we purchased our Kadey Krogan 34 foot Manatee. I will leave out all of the financing negotiations, paperwork, trips to sign paperwork, etc. Our boat went from the slip in a different Marina here on Lake Travis to the boat repair facility and up out of the water.

These are the things that are currently being worked on:

- Worn cutlass bearing
- Removal and repair of area around five thru hulls
- Reinstallation of three thru hulls
- Minor fiberglass repair and reglassing of stringers
- Installation of second high water alarm and second bilge pump

While in the boat, working on it the boat repair folks are also putting on a new epoxy barrier coat and applying ablative bottom paint.

Before we allowed the work to begin, we went inside and put down protective coverings - carboard and plastic mostly. We took up all the cushions, stored them in the stateroom and removed the table and comfortable chair.

Moving Right Along

We have now made progress toward our upcoming venture. And it is a little scary. At the moment we own two boats! We did purchase the trawler we want to cruise the Great Loop in. AND... we still own the cruiser that we have have enjoyed for many, many weekends on Lake Travis.
It will be a little sad to let go of Bon Dia, the Sea Ray. We ordered her back in 2005. We even went to the factory in Tenn. to see her being built. We have three of our grandsons'pictures taken on the back of the boat as little babies on their first boat ride. We have partied off the back of that boat, in the water, in the marina many times. We added a TV, a very thick mattress, a cushion on the bow for great sunbathing, and lots more. With great thought, we came up with her name. "Bon Dia" means good day, on the island of Bon Aire, which is our favorite place to scuba dive.

And now we own a Kadey Krogan Manatee. We have certainly evolved in our ownership of boats. We have gone from the testosterone loaded Baja, "go fast" boat, to a small cruiser, then a larger cruiser, and now to a trawler. She is a wide, squatty thing. Lots of wood. But she is more of a home than just a place to visit. At the moment, she is "on the hard" having some repairs done. (More about that in another posting.) We are anxious to get her back in the water and start enjoying her. We are also anxious to find the Sea Ray a new owner. Anyone want to buy a boat??

The entrance to our new boat. We think we will christen her, "Bon Dia II"?