Welcome to Hide Away (at least that's what we'll call the boat for now), my 1984 Pearson 303!
This was how I first saw it in an ad a friend suggested I look up:
It (yes, it) was advertised for 12K and listed where the owner lives in Northern VA, instead of where it was in the water in Solomons, MD.
I arranged a showing, we ended up taking it out for a brief sail, on a weekday afternoon, and I was sold on it as soon as I felt it respond under helm. Fantastic, responsive, and stable, even when aggressively trimmed and heeled. Even though I didn't plan to make an offer right away, the owner Butch, put me on the spot, and I offered 8.5K. We had a brief discussion and we agreed on 9K with him throwing in a 10' Walker Bay dinghy with a sail rig and outboard.
Turns out, he had owned it since 1995, and he was rather sad to see it go, but his time sailing was coming to a close.
It was about a week later that we met up, and I paid him. The boat was now mine, and welcome to stay in his slip in Solomons until the end of the year. However, I had recently picked up my very own slip near to home, and I was somewhat anxious to move the boat, but I did promise the seller a last ride, so it ended up being nearly two months before it got moved. In the meantime, I did a little work, spent a lot of time reading, had a few meals aboard, enjoyed the beautiful view from the slip, and cleaned up the cabin. Taking everything out of the boat was a great start, and it was a solid day of cleaning every surface, including taking the cushions home to clean up.
My girlfriend used it as an office or just as a place to kick back after a run some days. She also suggested a great new name, Zafiro, that might happen since the name needs to be repainted at minimum.
Our only mod and savior also sent me a sticker, which confused the owner in the neighboring slip.
Next time, we do a little work to keep water out, head north to a new home, and get all of the documents for the boat.
This was how I first saw it in an ad a friend suggested I look up:
It (yes, it) was advertised for 12K and listed where the owner lives in Northern VA, instead of where it was in the water in Solomons, MD.
I arranged a showing, we ended up taking it out for a brief sail, on a weekday afternoon, and I was sold on it as soon as I felt it respond under helm. Fantastic, responsive, and stable, even when aggressively trimmed and heeled. Even though I didn't plan to make an offer right away, the owner Butch, put me on the spot, and I offered 8.5K. We had a brief discussion and we agreed on 9K with him throwing in a 10' Walker Bay dinghy with a sail rig and outboard.
Turns out, he had owned it since 1995, and he was rather sad to see it go, but his time sailing was coming to a close.
It was about a week later that we met up, and I paid him. The boat was now mine, and welcome to stay in his slip in Solomons until the end of the year. However, I had recently picked up my very own slip near to home, and I was somewhat anxious to move the boat, but I did promise the seller a last ride, so it ended up being nearly two months before it got moved. In the meantime, I did a little work, spent a lot of time reading, had a few meals aboard, enjoyed the beautiful view from the slip, and cleaned up the cabin. Taking everything out of the boat was a great start, and it was a solid day of cleaning every surface, including taking the cushions home to clean up.
My girlfriend used it as an office or just as a place to kick back after a run some days. She also suggested a great new name, Zafiro, that might happen since the name needs to be repainted at minimum.
Our only mod and savior also sent me a sticker, which confused the owner in the neighboring slip.
Next time, we do a little work to keep water out, head north to a new home, and get all of the documents for the boat.
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