We traveled to Baltimore, MD, the first week of June, 2017. We had a pre-scheduled appointment with a broker who had 4 or 5 boats lined up for us to see, various makes and models. While we wanted to see Mainships, we were also willing to see other boats for comparison to rule them out. We were hoping to see more boats since we had limited time and we had traveled across the country, but we ended our tour early and disappointed. We switched hats, from shoppers to tourists, and we made the most of our time by enjoying old Annapolis, appreciating the harbor, the history, the gift shops and the eateries.
The next two and a half days were dedicated to family. We quickly learned our way around Washington, D.C., enjoying sight-seeing, museums and time with our family, before Pete officiated the beautiful wedding.
After the post-wedding Sunday Brunch, we returned to the Chesapeake Bay, settling into a hotel at Solomons Island. A local newsletter advertised a Mainship across the bay (about 90 minutes drive) that looked intriguing. Although it was late Sunday afternoon, we contacted the brokerage and a representative was willing to meet us!
Enter: “Reverie.”
We were introduced to our boat (for the first time) on this fateful day. (6/4/17) I’m sure we ran across her listing at some time (back home in CA) because she felt so familiar. At 16 years old, she was clean and obviously well cared for. Some areas showed her years, but she was definitely ready for launch. We spent the better part of an hour opening every door, cabinet, hatch and zipper.
I crawled into the engine room to check out her Caterpillar name plate (recording the critical information for future research.) Pete and I knew, as well as the broker, that she was “ruled in!”
Since Reverie was only the 6th boat in our search, we felt we had not yet fully “ruled out” all other models, and therefore, we were uncomfortable making an offer on the spot. We wanted to see more boats.
With little time left before returning to California, we made every attempt to visit other listings near Solomons Island. The only competition to the Mainship might have been an Island Gypsy, however, there was no broker follow through, so we continued our search.
Two months passed. We again traveled to Baltimore, MD, the second week of August for the second family wedding.
Our schedule required family time on the front end, with flexibility on the back end. After the wedding, Pete and I set off to see Niagara Falls (a bucket list item). In so doing, we happened across a Mainship listing in lower Canada. Well, heck, we’re so close…
The Canadian Mainship was a contender until we learned about a lengthy repair schedule for an unfortunate mishap affecting the starboard door to the lower helm. The boatyard couldn’t guarantee that she’d be ready for a sea trial before Spring 2018, too tight a timeline for our liking.
Upon return to the “lower 48,” we continued our search. By this time, we were certain that our “perfect boat” was a Mainship. We decide to revisit Reverie. Pete made contact with the brokerage, who informed him that another offer had come in, but fell through. The boat was back on the market. The same doors, cabinets, hatches and zippers were inspected. I crawled into the engine room. (Again) We asked more informed questions about this boat. We began to feel as if she was wanting us!
We made an offer. There was the typical negotiation process, the maintenance records review, the surveys, and a punch list of items to be done before Pete scheduled another trip from California. He was on a plane four weeks later (mid-September) for the sea trial. (I stayed home. I had to work.)
All went well, so with a handshake, we were boat owners!