All Change

We spent quite a bit of time on our last trip thinking about the way ahead. For some time we have been avoiding the issue of how long can Take Five meet our needs and that we will be able and willing to look after it. We have spent quite a lot of time, money and effort bringing it up to scratch, including new engine and stern gear, so it is now in quite a good state. (It recently passed its BSS with no rectification work required. Just as well Mike remembered to replace the gas label after putting on the non-slip to the locker at the New Year)

We made initial enquiries about the costs of a new boat and felt that it would be just about affordable so looked for a way of selling. When we reached Sawley Bridge Marina, where we were booked to leave the boat for a couple of months whilst we fulfill various obligations back home, we were reminded that they also have a brokerage and so made contact.

Before leaving we left some of the basic details and said that we would get in touch. In the few days after returning home we decided to test the market via Swanley (other options were available!) and by this weekend it appears on their website, complete with details, photos and video. (Do take a look Swanley Brokerage)

We were grateful that we are moderately retentive about documentation so that we could look up the answers to the many questions that formed part of the sales material. Never under-estimate the amount of time that this takes! Because we were doing this back at home, quite a bit of the inventory had to be done from memory. It is surprising how much you can miss when doing a mental walk-through of the boat! We both did it many times before getting to the point at which we were not adding to the list of what we would take and what we would leave.

A major factor in opting for Swanley was the simple result of just being there. If we went with anyone else (and others did seem equally competent) we would have had to wait at least two months in prime season before starting - that would probably have been the earliest that we could have moved the boat.

And now we shall see . . .

Looking for a new boat now starts in greater earnest but the arrival of funds from the sale will be a necessary precursor. At least it should make a decent deposit! We can always anticipate that there is someone who wants to get on the water this summer.

Let's hope that the most difficult decision will be the name. Creating another Take Five will allow us to stick with this blog - or change to something that has more connection with us? Decisions, decisions, decisions.