Fwiw, I have a number of non-boat-owning friends - most former competitive sailors - who get their sailing fix by taking older, former sailing boat owners out on the owners’ boats. It allows the owners to enjoy time on the water, and it allows the folks sailing their boats to partake in an activity they love without the cost of boat ownership. In one case, the sailor and owner (of a smaller boat) became quite good friends. Both women, in that case.
Not that Bob and his ego would go that route, but it is not that uncommon in my coastal community, where most sailing activity (lessons, races, moorings) takes place around one “yacht club” (really more humble establishment than such a name suggests.)
We live in a lake community. Safe boating is very important. In lakes, there are often other craft besides sailboats…kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, swimmers, and in some lakes, motor boats.
Here is my guess. If Bob couldn’t put a grill together, it’s very possible he won’t be able to put the rigging together to sail this boat each time he goes to use it. Or he will forget how to handle the boat when the wind directions change…and they do on lakes.
Getting in and out of the boat could present issues as well.
I hope he has a small electric motor (and knows how to use it) for when they are in the middle of that lake, and the wind just stops blowing. Responsible sailors have those too…just in case.
I believe the boat has a motor, but I really don’t know. I know he recently had a new generator installed. That took a long time. Per his list of assets on the pre-nup, this boat is a, “1977 Uniflite 32 ft Sedan Cruiser.” He also owns a 2021 Ranger Angler 18-ft and a 2000 Duffy Classic electric boat. None of those mean anything to me. Only the first one is a sailboat.
Safety to others is just as important as his and mil’s safety.
I’m not sure what mil means by the boat hasn’t been operational for three years. Scarily, that makes me wonder if he hasn’t sailed at all in three years. Though the son and grandson also have boats. So, maybe he’s been out with them?? I just don’t know.
It would have an engine, that’s how you get out of the marina.
They need more than one person to sail so he will need help. People are in denial all the time, I’m sure now that he has some spare money he wants to get his boat operational.
The thing about all boats is that they require maintenance and are costly.
I’m also in the camp of the sil needing to stop being so combative. Not your problem but at this point, Bob is here to stay and if she wants to have a relationship with her mother, something has to change. Anger will consume you and it’s in your best interest to try to come to some kind of compromise.
This is a nice small, electric pontoon type of boat…and (if in excellent condition) is worth a pretty penny. A dozen or so folks around our lake own these. They are quiet, and have almost no chance of tipping over. This would be the safest of Bob’s options, in my opinion.
Here is the list of Bob’s boats as he described them on his list of assets in the prenup. I’ll omit his valuations.
I am wondering if, while he may technically own them, the two smaller boats are in the possession of either his son or grandson. I know the son lives on a lake and has a boat of some kind.
1977 Uniflite 32-ft Sedan Cruiser
2021 Ranger Angler 18-ft (Is this a fishing boat??)
2000 Duffy Classic electric boat
Pretty sure it is the big boat that he has been working on getting operational.
I’m pretty sure it’s the big boat that has not been operational.
I just googled, and it says a new generator with installation could run $15-$20k for that big boat. And that it could require additional labor because of the age of the boat.
I know there were issues getting the generator to, “fit,” properly. The new generator was smaller than the old one?? Something like that. And, apparently, it is challenging to find boat mechanics??
I’m so embarrassed that I assumed this was a sailboat - I’m sorry for my error, CC family!
Must be a BIG lake if it can accommodate this boat. But does look like a better idea than the sailboat idea.
My opinion. The Duffy is a better choice…smaller and easier to manage…but betting it needs some work if he has it valued at less. The big question…why does he own so many boats?
No idea where he got his boat valuations when he listed his assets for the pre-nup. He clearly doesn’t know the difference between an asset and income as he listed his MONTHLY social security payment on his list of property
We were much more concerned with knowing his liquid assets. Which he seems to now be depleting for boat repairs.
My FIL still goes boating with his buddies and they are all in their 80s. All have been boating/sailing all their lives though so they are careful about checking marine forecasts and all know what they are doing. We’ve been out with them and felt totally safe. If this is something that has been part of Bob’s life, it’s like riding a bike ; )
But, it is a very expensive hobby and I don’t like that he’s depleting his savings for the boat. Hopefully MIL is clear about what is her responsibility and what isn’t.
LOL, I interpreted the first upthread mention of Alpha Gal as meaning he had a breadwinner of a wife, so it didn’t matter that he was unemployed. It seemed like an out of character comment from you… Thanks for clarifying!
This is hysterical! The son came up because of the boating and whether he would co-pilot with Bob. I mentioned availability since the son doesn’t work, and that got us to his health challenges.
I love the idea of an, “alpha gal,” as a comparison to an alpha male
My father-in-law has boated all his life on both SIL and powerboats. He did his last big trip at 91. He captained a 58 ft boat.
We spend alot of time in our local marina. There are boaters of all ages. I notice many men just love tinkering and cleaning their boats versus actually going out.
They are going out on it today. The son is meeting them. 19mph wind with gusts up to 30mph. It’s overcast and around 75°. Doesn’t seem like the best boating day to me
I also learned that the boat has not been operational for the last FIVE years. I cannot imagine paying to moor/store/whatever and insure something for that long that I was not using.
I suggested on the group text that mil wear sunscreen and a life vest.
Thanks for clarifying!