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14. Getting a yacht lifted out for a Marine Survey

Marine-Survey

Meeting our marine surveyor.

The buzz of seeing and sailing the 56′ Oyster yacht yesterday was still lingering. Read about our sea trial here: 11. Sea trials and the survey – the night before we meet our dream yacht

The day after the sea trial we woke at 7 am, showered, got dressed, and made our way to the broker’s office. Hubby and I had a coffee next door while we patiently waited to see the boat again. Like a drug, we just couldn’t get enough of her!

At 9 am we met our surveyor, a dower Scotsman, and boarded Pear Fisher once again. After a general chit chat, the survey began and we helped our broker prepare the boat to slip lines. The only time-sensitive task was to have the boat craned out at another marina at a set time. We hired a surveyor to make sure that we were buying a boat that was seaworthy, solid, and ready for a family interested in sailing around the world. Similar to when you buy a house, getting a survey provides the added benefit of having an expert check her out before you formally commit to buy.

Boat in a crane

The biggest boat crane I’ve ever seen!

After a short motor, we arrived at the crane area and easily navigated into the hoisting. The boat was lifted up a bit, we were let off, and then she was lifted way up to clear the keel. The survey was to take place while the boat remained in the hoist. We did it this way to save a substantial amount of money. The quote was around £1,000 for the hoist and £850 for the survey. And these are costs building up before we commit to buying the boat (not to mention the plane tickets and hotel bill).

Once the boat was set off to the side, we walked under her, pretended to know what we were looking at, and then decided to get out of the way. Hubby and I headed to a nearby cafe and both enjoyed salads. The sun was shining, the sea was blue and the Palma Cathedral made the perfect backdrop.

After a bit of food, we made our way back to the boat. By this time the surveyor did all the outside hull tests and was back in the boat. He made a comment that the hull was in excellent shape. There were a set of scraped off areas along the hull – I assume he was testing the GPR for osmosis.

Kim in aft bed dreaming

Taking a few moments to lay down and dream of the future that’s coming.

We used the ladder and climbed up to spend more time on her. I felt exhausted so I laid down in the aft cabin and thought, ‘This will soon be my new bedroom! It’s utter bliss! I wish it was here now…I wish it was time to set sail now!’ I laid on the bed for at least a 1/2 hour dreaming of all the adventures yet to come.

Hubby went around checking all the cupboards and lockers again. He excitedly came back to me and announced that there are fishing poles the owner is leaving on the boat.

I can’t wait to catch fresh fish and cook it ourselves. I bet it doesn’t taste anything like the stuff you get at the grocery store! Fresh fish, fresh vegetables, and fresh fruit – sounds like more bliss to me.

Time to get the boat back in the water

Around 2 pm the boat was lowered back into the water and a few more tests were conducted. By this time the surveyor broke off the handle on one seacock, found a small leak in the front toilet system, a leak on the hot water line, and some carbon in the engine. Apparently, none of these things are deal-breakers.

We slowly motored back to the berth and new that our time with the boat was coming to an end. But there was no doubt about it, we’d be back on her as soon as we possibly could.

The boat was moored and our surveyor explained he had a few more hours to go. Our broker gave us the indication that he was heading out so we felt it best to make our way.

Simon in Palma

Time for some Paella?

Hubby and I headed back to the old town to find some paella. We were both exhausted. The stress of the trip finally caught up to us and we felt a bit of a letdown. Another thing ticked off the massive list to make our dream a reality. Phewwwwww.

We’re now sitting back at the hotel bar waiting until it’s time to catch our 9 pm flight back to England. Gosh – I’m not sure how I’m going to stay awake. We have a few hours to go, then a 2-hour flight and a 2-hour drive home. Poor hubby – I hope he can stay awake. I’m not sure I will!

I can’t wait to wake up and see my daughter in the morning. I’ll go through all the pictures and videos so that she feels fully involved. We’ve talked often about our plans but I’m not sure how much she really understands.

Extra: Sell Up and Sail Away Video – Sea Trails & Survey

Next Chapter: 15. After sea trials and the survey I ran a marathon (accidentally)

Previous Chapter: 13. Sea trials on the Oyster 56 were a success – we love her!

Or…if you’d like to carry on reading all about our journey from selling up and sailing away, you can purchase my book, ‘Changing Lifestyles – Trading the Rat Race in For A Sail Around The World,’ 

Changing LifestylesREADER REVIEW
Amazon Reader. 5 Star Review!
"This is the story of a woman who was on multiple journeys; looking for a change in her life's course, learning the ropes of a new boat, and navigating what it is to parent a child as she and her husband embark on this journey. Great as an adventure story, but also got me excited to read it as a travel guide!" Cherie
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Changing Lifestyles: Trading in the Rat Race for a Sail Around The World (my book). Chapters:

  • 1. That’s it – I’m selling everything and sailing around the world!

  • 2. Oh crap – Are we healthy enough to sail around the world?

  • 3. House sold, price on yacht almost negotiated – just need temporary housing now!

  • 4. Before I sell up and sail away I need to clean out my closet (in many ways)

  • 5. Getting the boat of our dreams – will we or won’t we?

  • 6. Negotiations 56 Oyster Yacht have finished but not without massive pain

  • 7. Everything was going well until we got this phone call…

  • 8. Quick, quick – we need to sell our current boat. We need a place to live. We need to…

  • 9. My new normal and dealing with giving up all our possessions

  • 10. Going from sailing Selene to selling Selene so we could afford to buy our 56′

  • 11. Sea trials and the survey – the night before we meet our dream yacht

  • 12. Hours before we meet our new yacht…our new home!

  • 13. Sea trials on the Oyster 56 were a success – we love her!

  • 14. Getting a yacht lifted out for a Marine Survey

  • Extra: Sell Up and Sail Away Video – Sea Trails & Survey

  • 15. After sea trials and the survey I ran a marathon (accidentally)

  • 16. What does homeschooling, the paleo diet, writing, and photography have to do with sailing?

  • 17. I’m so freaking frustrated – the world is broken

  • 18. Saying goodbye to my old routines and old lifestyle

  • 19. Life has slowed way down – is it the calm before the storm?

  • 20. A lesson on stopping the ‘what-if’s’ from taking over my life!

  • 21. Serious issue – we can’t take our yacht to Barcelona, Spain as planned – YIKES!

  • Extra: Sell Up and Sail Away Video 2 – Our thoughts, feelings and move day!

  • 22. The day before we purchase our 56′ Oyster

  • 23. My first trip on our new yacht – Dolphins included!

  • 24. Feeling excited, sick, and in awe are not mutually exclusive when sailing on the seas

  • 25.Things got worse

  • Extra: Sell Up and Sail Away Video 3 – Palma Mallorca to Gibraltar

  • 26. Sell up and sail away preparations – we successfully took possession of your new yacht

  • 27. Preparation for our around the world sailing trip couldn’t get more exciting!

  • 28. Two months to go before we set sail for our world adventure

  • 29. We got a gun, but not the kind you’re probably thinking of

  • 30. The contrast of sailing around the world and cancer

  • Extra: The reason I decided to sell up and sail away (video)

  • 31. Courses, becoming British, putting our remaining possessions on a pallet and what else?

  • Extra. No – we did not win the lottery!

  • 32. Less than 3 weeks to go before we sail off into the sunset

  • 33. Ten days to go before we set sail on our grand adventure

  • 34. Will this sailing adventure turn me into a dreadlocked, pot smoking, whale saver?

  • 35. In 2 days we will set sail around the world sailing adventure

  • 36. Leaving Gosport England today to start on our around the world sailing adventure

  • 37. Life aboard our new yacht with the BBC, Daily Mail and Times in tow

  • 38. Feeling amazing, scared, overwhelmed and useless

  • 39. Sailing Gibraltar To Malta

  • 40. I’m honoured to introduce Loryn Bennett – Britican’s Chef

  • 41. I still can’t even believe this is happening

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