delayed gratification
New Member
- Sep 10, 2008
- 33
- Boat Info
- Intrepid 377 Walkaround 2009
- Engines
- Triple 275 Mercury Verados
As you see from my signature, I did not buy a sea ray, but this site and fwebster through private emails were invaluable in helping me. I have been lurking and learning for several months. My original post explained my dilemma in choosing a boat for cruising in either the Great Lakes or Florida that my wife and I could handle with limited experience. We have been to boat shows and 3 trips to FL to look at boats since then. I initially was concentrating on sea ray express cruisers, specifically 420/44, 460 and 48 sundancers. All are excellent choices. Also liked Four Winns 45 footer with Volvo IPS, and Riviera 43 OS. Three important lessons learned from this site 1)Know how you are going to use the boat, 2) Know where you are going to use the boat, and 3) understand the total costs and efforts involved with ownership. We are currently keeping the Intrepid in Ft Lauderdale. We are absentee owners which makes insurance extremely difficult to obtain without large boat OWNERSHIP experience. 16yrs of accident free ownersip of a 21ft boat oninland lakes does not count. I have charter experience on up to 40ft sail and trawler, but I did not qualify with BoatUS, Martel, Progressive(250K max), USAA(no larger boats), or NBOA. I secured insurance with a carrier that insures many Intrepid owners with favorable results. I must pay a rather high premium with high dedictible, and store the boat in a hurricane proof building when not in FL.
Having said all that, I am really pleased with the Intrepid 377 Walkaround. We have triple 275 Verados, and a diesel generator. It is stored on a rack, so bottom paint not an issue. I know many people on this site are not fond of outboards(including frankw), but they do OK when not run for several months at a time, as will be the case with my boat. It is very easy to handle. We plan to day cruise and spend most nights in a hotel, with occasional nights (1-2) on the boat. We are empty nesters now, so 90% of the time my wife and I will be alone.
We are interested in exploring the Atlantic coast, Bahamas, Keys, etc. We would eventually like to cruise the Gulf and panhandle areas as well, so any travel info is greatly appreciated.
I truly want to thank you all for your informative posts and especially FWebster for helping me with many questions including the purchase of a boat which would not have been his first choice.
I also would like to continue to be a member or guest of this site if possible. I continue to have much to learn, many questions about cruising, and I will always be a Sea Ray fan.
nick
2009 Intrepid 377
diesel generator (avoids the gas gen controversy)
Nylon anchor rode (avoids the painted link issue)
Having said all that, I am really pleased with the Intrepid 377 Walkaround. We have triple 275 Verados, and a diesel generator. It is stored on a rack, so bottom paint not an issue. I know many people on this site are not fond of outboards(including frankw), but they do OK when not run for several months at a time, as will be the case with my boat. It is very easy to handle. We plan to day cruise and spend most nights in a hotel, with occasional nights (1-2) on the boat. We are empty nesters now, so 90% of the time my wife and I will be alone.
We are interested in exploring the Atlantic coast, Bahamas, Keys, etc. We would eventually like to cruise the Gulf and panhandle areas as well, so any travel info is greatly appreciated.
I truly want to thank you all for your informative posts and especially FWebster for helping me with many questions including the purchase of a boat which would not have been his first choice.
I also would like to continue to be a member or guest of this site if possible. I continue to have much to learn, many questions about cruising, and I will always be a Sea Ray fan.
nick
2009 Intrepid 377
diesel generator (avoids the gas gen controversy)
Nylon anchor rode (avoids the painted link issue)
