This and That

[Captain Kidd]

Latest happenings:

I have updated my tow vehicle. I decided to stay with a SUV with a V6 and 4WD or AWD. I steered away from the 4 cyclinders and CVT transmissions. I wound up buying a 2018 Kia Sorento AWD and have sold my 2008 Sorento which I'd driven for the last 6 years. The former served me fairly well and the Sorentos have a decent reliability rating (they're not Toyotas but then they don't cost the same either). It's been 5 years since I bought anything and writing that check about killed me! By far the most I've ever paid for a vehicle at any time. Ouch! Of course, my last purchase five years ago was before covid and the price jump in used cars. Oh, well.

Seems I may not be done with bigger boats. That last big trip tested me physically but I think I learned some things. I do still love getting out in the big boat even though it's been infrequently.

Eager to get out on the CIY 16. I'll be looking forward to an outing as soon as time and weather allow. I like fall and spring overnighters. It's mild enough here in N GA that winter trips are even possible without freezing to death. With that said, as I age, I don't tolerate the cold quite as well as I used to.

Sometime over the TG holiday I plan to install a hitch on the Kia. I ordered one from etrailer.com. Arrived yesterday. Good company. The Kias come with holes predrilled and wiring preinstalled - simply plug in the wiring harness. Shouldn't be too difficult. I installed the hitch on the '08 (as well as 3 previous vehicles).

I've been snooping around for a water ballast Hunter 19 for some time now. They are a little scarce. Guess what? One just came on the market for a decent price. Should I or shouldn't I?? It's a boat my wife has wished we had as I mentioned in a previous post. She likes the open feel of the interior. With a swing keel it should be easier to launch and retrieve than the 18.5 which drafts 2'. I'm wondering how big the mast is. I can lift the 18.5 mast without any help physically or mechanically. I'd hope the 19 would be similar. I might pull the trigger. Bad time of the year though - lots going on and it would be a two day trip to get it (though not as far as CB went to get his Scamp!).

[Riley Smith]

Congrats on the new tow truck! Prices on everything are ridiculous, so yeah. I keep getting ads for El cheapo car insurance and it has tempted me. We rarely use the truck and it is older and of less value than it once was, so a savings there might be possible, instead of gold plated coverage.
I've got the boat ready to go if opportunity presents. Weather has been wishy washie though and I wouldn't commit.

[Noemi - Ensenada 20]

Dale, if your wife wished for that boat and you would like to have it too, you know you should get it.  They might even hold on to it for you until the holidays pass.

[noelH]

My "new" van.

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[Norm L.]

Dale, while I'm not a fan of the early Euro look I think it is a good choice for your needs. An agree with Noemi's opinion.

[Captain Kidd]

My "new" van.

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Classic! Love it!

[Frank B.]

Congrats on the tow vehicle upgrade.  Although, wish you would quit talking about those CVT's, my wife's 2016 Outback is getting a complex .  While not my favorite vehicle it does take to the snow better than most as proven on several trips to Colorado in those conditions.  Turns a 100K miles in a month or so, no problems to date. However, have never towed more than my FS 14 skiff which probably weighs, with trailer, maybe 1000 lbs.

Yes vehicles have become expensive.  It is not lost on me that the Subaru purchased new cost twice what my first home cost. But I buy them new and keep them for a long, long time or until they make me mad.  For instance, my 2007 Tacoma truck turns 18 in a month and I'm considering the logistics of keeping it as the last truck in my tenure on this planet, however long that is.  It has definitely never made me mad.

The choice of boats as we get older has to do with where we sail, how we sail, and, most importantly, who we want to keep sailing with us.  My CP23 was the right choice 14 years ago when I bought it, but would not be on the list today.  I think your logic is sound. 

[GlenG]

This discussion of Tow Vehicles caught my eye.  I have a 2015 Honda CRV, 4cyl, 2.5L AWD with CVT.  Bought it new and was a bit worried about tow capacity.  This same engine and chassis, prior to 2015, was rated 3000 lb tow capacity.  My 2015 is basically the same car, but with the new CVT they dropped the rating to 1500 lbs.  I tow different utility trailers and a double jetski trailer with no worries.  But I also tow, launch and retrieve my Santana 21, at about 2500 lbs total boat+trailer weight.  Distance is short, and ramp is gentle slope.  I've done this for 9 years with no ill effects.  I figure that the CVT will shift well to the low gear side of the range for needed torque.  I would hesitate to go at highway speeds through the mountains with this rig.  I used to have a 4wd Ford Explorer, but I wore that one out over 25 yrs.  BTW the Honda CRV has over 125,000 miles with zero problems.  So I'm happy with the CVT transmission in general.  I typically drive my vehicles 250,000+ before upgrading to something newer.  And at every upgrade I find I like some new features, but miss some old features that the auto companies no longer offer.  Progress is not always forward !!

[Captain Kidd]

Update: Haven't gotten the hitch on yet - too, too busy!

Haven't gotten out on the CIY yet - too, too busy!

Haven't bought the Hunter 19 yet... but I have made an offer and I think we have a deal!

The boat is 700 miles away. I've talked to the seller twice now. Last night we worked through some of my concerns which revolve mainly around the fact that the boat has been in a barn for 2 years. He says he started the motor a year ago. So... he's going to start the motor, make sure the trailer tires are road worthy and make sure the mice haven't eaten up the sails or cushions. He's an older fellow and has given me reason to believe he's honest. I can't get the boat 'til after the new year. He can't inspect it for a week or so anyway. If all checks out, I'll be buying a boat!

BTW: the motor is a 1994, 5hp Nissan 2-stroke. He says he ran regular gas in it: not too excited about that. If it runs, I'll probably put it on the 18.5 when I sell it and keep my new Honda 2.3. If it won't start, we'll have to do some more negotiating.

Which means my Hunter 18.5 is for sale. Anyone interested? I'll actually get down to serious marketing when I complete the purchase of the 19.

For prospective buyers here's the link to my latest trip (a couple pics of the boat): https://trailersailor.com/forum/index.php?topic=1055.0

and a more complete photo log of the trip with more photos of the boat: https://photos.app.goo.gl/HkByjdoa7Sz4cAkZ6

No interior pics but it is in excellent condition.

(PS: I'm in Chattanooga)