I have been a member of this wonderful site for a little less than a month. I was and am so happy to have found the site. My wife and I are in the process of beginning our retirement (Ages 65/63) in Florida. Of course we live on the water and of course we are interested in pursuing boating to take advantage of our great new environment. While researching we discovered that a “trawler type” vessel was most likely the type vessel that would suit us. After that, we became aware of the Ranger and Cutwater Series of boats, and all they have to offer. We had become convinced that one of these boats would be the exact fit for our new lifestyle. Thus I found and joined the TUGNUTS site.
Neither my wife nor I have any mechanical training, or really any mechanical inclination. Also my wife has some back issues, which preclude any heaving moving lifting or pushing. Our boating experience has been limited to a small outboard ski boat in Maine in the summer. We have never had a boat in any saltwater of any kind. I love the camaraderie of the TUGNUTS! I have been amazed at the mechanical and ingenuity of the members of this site. I have over the month become increasingly concerned and almost intimidated concerning some of the issues that you all have amazingly dealt with. I mean as small an issue as ”cleaning out weep holes”, to “sudden smoke in the cabin with a cracked portion of an engine”, to “closing a seacock (whatever that is) when towing the boat”. Given our boating experience and lack of mechanical inclination we have actually been leaning towards not purchasing one of these vessels.
I was hoping for some insight and advice from all the voices of excellent experience on this board concerning our fit with this type boat. We love the boats; we are not convinced we could accomplish many of the repairs that I see many of the members of this board make. This lack would probably require us to have any repairs and maintenance be performed by professionals. Any insight for intimidated potential newbie’s would be appreciated.
Neither my wife nor I have any mechanical training, or really any mechanical inclination. Also my wife has some back issues, which preclude any heaving moving lifting or pushing. Our boating experience has been limited to a small outboard ski boat in Maine in the summer. We have never had a boat in any saltwater of any kind. I love the camaraderie of the TUGNUTS! I have been amazed at the mechanical and ingenuity of the members of this site. I have over the month become increasingly concerned and almost intimidated concerning some of the issues that you all have amazingly dealt with. I mean as small an issue as ”cleaning out weep holes”, to “sudden smoke in the cabin with a cracked portion of an engine”, to “closing a seacock (whatever that is) when towing the boat”. Given our boating experience and lack of mechanical inclination we have actually been leaning towards not purchasing one of these vessels.
I was hoping for some insight and advice from all the voices of excellent experience on this board concerning our fit with this type boat. We love the boats; we are not convinced we could accomplish many of the repairs that I see many of the members of this board make. This lack would probably require us to have any repairs and maintenance be performed by professionals. Any insight for intimidated potential newbie’s would be appreciated.