Isabella Dessi’s ears must have been ringing a few weekends ago, about the same time I was contemplating what to do with ‘No Shoes’ at the end of 2024 – phase out time!
As Global Owner Care Manager for Dream Yacht, Isabella approached us, enquiring what our intentions are. Did we want to phase out, sell or, as an alternative, extend our current contract.
If phased out as originally planned, we would have to pay the 25% balance, take possession of the boat, find a home for her over winter, do what we felt was needed for long term live aboard, insure, pay tax, but most of all, have the time to do all of this.
I just signed a new contract with work and extended leave during one of Asia’s peak travel seasons is unlikely. Extended leave at anytime actually as it turned out.
That means we would need to hire and pay someone to do all the fun stuff I really wanted to do. No way.
- Sell. Apart from having to fork out a big commission, I like our Helia. It’s a proven boat with 258 test boats in-front of her in the production line. It has crossed oceans safely and it holds its value. Plus ‘No Shoes’ has been extremely well looked after to date.
- Ship it or ferry it. Not cheap either. We are based in Hong Kong, a great sailing area but not flush with docking space. The few spots that are available are extremely expensive. The same goes for local insurance and maintenance.
Yes, I would have instant access to the boat any time I feel like sailing for a day or two, but I am still very busy at work. It’s not a 9 to 5 job being a pilot.
Apart from associated cost, this option would again take away the fun part of a what I originally set out to do … travel by boat from Europe to Australia, just to get a feel for how far I actually moved away from my birth country.
Jetting around the world for work, you actually lose the feel for how big this globe really is.
3. Extend our contract by a further 12 months.
The concerns with an extension...
- Still being an unsecured creditor (though this could be overcome by paying the 25% balance right now)
- Political instability in Europe and the South China Sea – amongst other areas.
- Maintenance
- Reduced resale value if required
- Still faced with all the previously mentioned issues in a years time, albeit no to the same extend.
- Accidental write off
The positives ...
- >Boat isn’t our problem, no cost to us.
- Still get to sail on holidays, all around the world for minimal cost and see many more locations we haven’t had time to visit yet.
- Time to regroup for another year to finish various personal projects that need completing before going cruising.
A bonus week to celebrate ...
Coincidentally, we enjoyed another week of sailing on ‘No Shoes’ in “post high season” Croatia. It was an unmaterialized 50th birthday gift to my ‘brother .
The boat looks amazing. Davor, you are a champion looking after her. You wouldn’t know ‘No Shoes’ is 5 seasons old. Sure there were a few signs of aging and potential misuse, but it was minimal:
- The generator was missing as it is in the repair shop. Something about seawater from the cooling circuit getting onto the engine-side of it.
- The sails are on the way out
- The winches needed a good grease (already done at time of writing I hear)
- Front starboard main saloon hatch had a broken latch which leads to water leaking Inside in heavy rain.
- A few damaged corners (cosmetic) on cupboards
- The fridge drawer bolted back together after it failed through what must have been a carton of beer trying to escape at heavy seas.
- The rudder fell apart. Got to question the workmanship of FP here. Emergency repairs carried out to keep the show running, full repairs coming as soon as the season is over.
On this trip, the water heater decided to spring a leak. A big one … quickly. We isolated the system and had a video-chat with the base.
Davor sent someone out to the Marina in Losinji the check that all was safe and repaired the heater upon our arrival back at the home port a day later.
And that’s how he rolls! Staying on top of it. Hang in there ‘No Shoes’. You are in good hands.
Thanks for another great week. See you next year.
