About the boat: A classic, and well cared for, Gulftsar 53ft Ketch with some surprising owner modifications - the previous owners had loved this boat and the investments showed it. Aside from the Gulfstar standard layout of 3-cabins, roomy salon and 2-heads...the boat came well equipped with gear in good condition to sail, navigate and communicate on long passages as well as serve us as a potential live-aboard. She sports marble counter-tops throughout, a Spendide W/D, 3 x Cruisair units, VHF, SSB, a big SK Watermaker, Radar, Sonar, bow thruster and a big John Deere 360HP Turbo Diesel with a Phaser 16KW diesel genny.

No used boat is without flaw but we were pleased with her condition and our surveyor was clearly impressed as well. The big blessing (during haul-out) was nary a single hull blister was found! So - we had a complete bottom job performed, a few out of water cosmetics done and back into the water she went.

Aside from the full cash amount for purchase and yard work done, the boat became part of our lives on a nippy Florida day in late December 2012. The survey was done, the closing papers were signed, the USCG documentation and registration was filed - papers were on board...and our "new to us" vessel was on its maiden voyage with a new Captain and Admiral from St Petersburg to the north end of Tampa Bay. The adventure had begun! Thank goodness for SEA TOW! More in the next post.