j&lgray
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2008
- Messages
- 644
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-28
- Vessel Name
- Trilogy
This is a story where all the stars just lined up. We really did not plan on selling the "Laurie Ann" and we really did not intend to buy a Ranger 29. But we did on both accounts. This is the brief tale of what happened and the three week whirlwind of selling and purchasing where much like cruising, when by happenstance, you find yourself with the wind at your back and the current going in your direction, you are "going with God" and it all seems so easy.
In 2014, we are going back to do the Great Circle Loop for a 6,000 mile trip that will last a year. We did the western portion in 2008 and our story and photos are on our website, http://www.laurieann-ranger25.com. We decided that we wanted a bigger boat for this trip, to be a bit more comfortable for this adventure and be able to have the occasional family member come along comfortably. We looked at a half dozen boats and considered shipping one from the Pacific Northwest. We knew we would sell the "Laurie Ann" sooner or later because we had done nearly all the trailering we wanted and were ready to return to marina boating that we had done for 10 years.
I told a fellow Ranger owner that we were looking at selling the "Laurie Ann" in the coming months. Then, the Tugnut Telegraph went to work and within days I had received phone calls and emails with, "Are you really selling the "Laurie Ann?" We priced the tug at the midpoint of the market because it has nearly a 1000 hours on the engine, nearly 5,000 cruising miles and 6,000 trailering miles. The package was tug, trailer and dinghy.
Tom from Michigan sent us an email that captured our hearts with the phrase, "I would be honored to be the next caretaker of the Laurie Ann" and we accepted his offer along with the prospect of being boatless in Seattle for the summer. We received that email while at the PNW spring rendezvous over Memorial Day in Seattle. On that same day, Jorge and Marcus, the owners of "Tradition" a beautifully maintained R-29, told us what their new reduced price was. Academically, we realized that we could buy a 18 month old R-29 and have it trucked to the Great Loop; all within our budget.
The next day, "Tradition" joined the other 30 Ranger Tugs at Fisherman's Terminal and it was right off the stern of the "Laurie Ann." Laurie loved the pewter color and when Jorge took us on a tour, Laurie gave me that non-verbal signal that this was THE boat. The deal was done over the next day and that included a sea trial on Lake Washington. It was everything that we wanted and more.
Financing, insurance, surveys was a whirlwind. "Tradition's" survey verified our perceptions that Jorge & Marcus loved their boat and it was well cared for. "Laurie Ann's" survey identified that the wrong fuel lines were installed and needed to be changed. It was only fitting since the "Laurie Ann" was the first green R-25, was the only one with Lewmar thrusters, so why not the only one one with the wrong fuel line?
Fast forward three weeks. The "Laurie Ann" got her 1000 hour inspection and service with virtually no issues expect for the fuel lines and a valve adjustment. The King trailer was completely rebuilt which was expected; every three years it gets all new hubs, brakes and rotors. We de-named the R-25 and removed all traces of "Laurie Ann" and did the ceremony to appease the nautical spirits. We took possession of the R-29 on a Tuesday and took it to Everett to its new slip under blue skies and mirror-like conditions.
On Wednesday, Tom and Pam arrived with their truck, finished the deal and 6 hours later left for Michigan. Whew! We were two-boat owners for only a day. We loved that R-25 tug and watching her leave was like watching a child leave for college; you had done a lot with them and they had a bright future ahead.
The R-29 was renamed, "Andiamo" which is Italian for "lets go!" and is pronounced, On-dee-om-o. We loved that word when we did a Rick Steves' tour in Europe last fall and it captures our sense of adventure and travel. The "Laurie Ann" website will stay up as it gets 100-200 hits a day. We have enjoyed doing it and the follow-up conversations it generates.
Soon, you will see a new website from us, probably, http://www.adiamo-ranger29, and it will have our lessons, modifications and travels.
Thank you to our boating friends and the "tugnut telegraph."
Andiamo!
In 2014, we are going back to do the Great Circle Loop for a 6,000 mile trip that will last a year. We did the western portion in 2008 and our story and photos are on our website, http://www.laurieann-ranger25.com. We decided that we wanted a bigger boat for this trip, to be a bit more comfortable for this adventure and be able to have the occasional family member come along comfortably. We looked at a half dozen boats and considered shipping one from the Pacific Northwest. We knew we would sell the "Laurie Ann" sooner or later because we had done nearly all the trailering we wanted and were ready to return to marina boating that we had done for 10 years.
I told a fellow Ranger owner that we were looking at selling the "Laurie Ann" in the coming months. Then, the Tugnut Telegraph went to work and within days I had received phone calls and emails with, "Are you really selling the "Laurie Ann?" We priced the tug at the midpoint of the market because it has nearly a 1000 hours on the engine, nearly 5,000 cruising miles and 6,000 trailering miles. The package was tug, trailer and dinghy.
Tom from Michigan sent us an email that captured our hearts with the phrase, "I would be honored to be the next caretaker of the Laurie Ann" and we accepted his offer along with the prospect of being boatless in Seattle for the summer. We received that email while at the PNW spring rendezvous over Memorial Day in Seattle. On that same day, Jorge and Marcus, the owners of "Tradition" a beautifully maintained R-29, told us what their new reduced price was. Academically, we realized that we could buy a 18 month old R-29 and have it trucked to the Great Loop; all within our budget.
The next day, "Tradition" joined the other 30 Ranger Tugs at Fisherman's Terminal and it was right off the stern of the "Laurie Ann." Laurie loved the pewter color and when Jorge took us on a tour, Laurie gave me that non-verbal signal that this was THE boat. The deal was done over the next day and that included a sea trial on Lake Washington. It was everything that we wanted and more.
Financing, insurance, surveys was a whirlwind. "Tradition's" survey verified our perceptions that Jorge & Marcus loved their boat and it was well cared for. "Laurie Ann's" survey identified that the wrong fuel lines were installed and needed to be changed. It was only fitting since the "Laurie Ann" was the first green R-25, was the only one with Lewmar thrusters, so why not the only one one with the wrong fuel line?
Fast forward three weeks. The "Laurie Ann" got her 1000 hour inspection and service with virtually no issues expect for the fuel lines and a valve adjustment. The King trailer was completely rebuilt which was expected; every three years it gets all new hubs, brakes and rotors. We de-named the R-25 and removed all traces of "Laurie Ann" and did the ceremony to appease the nautical spirits. We took possession of the R-29 on a Tuesday and took it to Everett to its new slip under blue skies and mirror-like conditions.
On Wednesday, Tom and Pam arrived with their truck, finished the deal and 6 hours later left for Michigan. Whew! We were two-boat owners for only a day. We loved that R-25 tug and watching her leave was like watching a child leave for college; you had done a lot with them and they had a bright future ahead.
The R-29 was renamed, "Andiamo" which is Italian for "lets go!" and is pronounced, On-dee-om-o. We loved that word when we did a Rick Steves' tour in Europe last fall and it captures our sense of adventure and travel. The "Laurie Ann" website will stay up as it gets 100-200 hits a day. We have enjoyed doing it and the follow-up conversations it generates.
Soon, you will see a new website from us, probably, http://www.adiamo-ranger29, and it will have our lessons, modifications and travels.
Thank you to our boating friends and the "tugnut telegraph."
Andiamo!
