Part 3
How I came about finding the "Character"…..

Joel is a pretty straight shooter and like most of us he wants to see everything in the most positive light and have every win and like us along the way. After a couple of conversations about project boats and learning about a 27’ Hunter he had that need a new insides, I decided to pay him a visit in Ft. Lauderdale. What a treat I had in store for me.

From Tampa, with good directions and no lingering police cars, I was in Ft.L in about 3 hours (or so). I liked Joel from the very start, he said to meet him at a Dunkun Donuts shop. The only big problem is he did let me get out of the truck! About 5 minutes later we were at his house along one of the many waterways around Fort lauderdale It was a perfect setting for a boater, plenty of trees for shade, workshop, privacy fence, large dock area with a solid sea wall, and a 40’ Morgan lazing at her mooring lines.

After the tour around this beauty that was 80% complete I could have been sold right then and there. The engine compartment alone was a marvel of planning and a beauty to behold all by itself. But reason and funding took hold and led me back to the dock and saner ground. But what a goal to reach for in a couple years time.

The came a quick tour of a 28’ Sparkman, pretty but not near as complete as the Morgan so not quite as tempting. Joel explained we had to go for a ride to where the Hunter was stored. The first clouds of doubt started to float in.

At the end on a long sandy road was a bone yard of boats, projects all of them. Inboards, outboards, big open utility boats, massive Mercs, and this pathetic Hunter sitting there like a half dead fish out of water. I wanted to cradle it in my arms while it gasped its final breaths, comforting it in its final moments on this earth. That was a project boat, in every sense of the word. Onehundred feet away it was a project boat, oh what a project.

I walked around the boat about times as I remember listening to Joel espouse its virtues, mostly accurate, although hopeful in most cases. But there was possibilities there and the trailer was sound and really very nice, fit the Hunter well. You could launch the boat right from the trailer and I could see the haul out fees being saved, a small smile.

Enough time on the outside, inside need my attention. It needed bilge pumps, the hull was sitting almost 5 feet off the ground and it need its bilge’s pumped. It was rough, tore up, dirty, filled with water to my ankles, but there were possibilities going through my mind. Joel and I sat in the hot south Florida sun for almost an hour that afternoon getting to know each other and talking boats (what else).

As we were leaving I knew there were possibilities and it was priced right for the condition it was in but I knew it was not the project for me. I settled into pleasant conversation with Joel as we headed back to his house. His cell phone rings…..

Yes, he was still interested. No, he really didn’t have time, he was with a customer. Could he see it another time. I caught on quick and told Joel to get the address and of course he could go see the boat, I am patient and not in a big hurry, besides might I go along? The address taken, timing arranged and we were off.

Wow, a very nice neighborhood of $150,000 homes that were selling for $800,000 because this was Ft.L and there was water behind the house. But it was a pretty home. A quick walk around the back listening to the real estate agent talking about having to get this boat out prior to closing. The back yard was the most impressive backyard I had ever seen. Not because of landscaping or and pool, actually nothing of the sort. It was the view. There sat some of the nicest (and largest) boats I had ever seen. Power boats, yachts, and large sailboats.

Then here sits this 27’ beat up boat, looking well worn, sitting with its keel on the bottom. One spreader busted, a pathetic cushion for a fender, and mooring lines that looked like they had been drug through mud. But it looked solid, rugged, saying "sail me away". God, I was like a little kid, but I had the adult exterior to hide the excitement or at least I thought I did.

The cabin was trashed, clothes every were, food left out on the counter, the biggest mess I had ever seen in a boat still on top of the water. But there was something about it, something that reached out to me.

Plenty of conversation with the real estate agent while the ownership was established, the dock rental agreement reviewed, payment history, and salvage rights. Joel, knowing the laws, realized that the boat qualified as abandoned. All the real estate agent and the homeowner wanted was to get the boat out of there by the next day so the house could close. The deal was done.

In the car Joel and I began our conversation about the boat, one hour later I had committed to buy it provided we could get clear title. While Joel was trying to talk me out of the buying the boat the name came to be, "Character". This boat had the most interesting bow I had ever seen. I didn’t say pretty, I said interesting. It was also rough, built like a tank, and not exactly a racer. So be I liked her.

Then it came, Joel was telling me about coming into a marina and parking next to some $100,000 pretty boy, this project boat would be out of place. Well, I said, you don’t know me, I have always been out of place and don’t mind it a bit. Here it comes, Joel said, "Well, the boat is a real character." I misunderstood and thought he had said, "The boat has character." Ever since the boat has been referred to as the "Character".

No matter how hard I have tried in my quiet moments, with my wife, family, or friends, we can’t top the name "Character". It fits her too well.

"Character" is her name. You interpret it anyway you like.

Take a look.

Next: The haul out, loading her up, and heading home.