Association Forum - 80 year old man rescued

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

80 year old man rescued

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Page: of 2

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/20/2009 : 10:08:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
80-year-old sailor rescued in Gulf of Mexico
The Associated Press
The U.S. Coast Guard has rescued an 80-year-old man from his sailboat in the Gulf of Mexico, 10 days after he left Houston.

A statement from the Coast Guard says the man was onboard a 34-foot sailboat. It says he sent the Coast Guard a distress call around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

Coast Guard Lt. Aaron Mader says the man radioed "that he was unable to fend for himself." A helicopter and rescue plane were dispatched, and the man and his sailboat were found about three hours later about 115 miles south of Sabine.

A Coast Guard spokeswoman said the man's identity was not available.

He was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital-Southeast in Houston. A hospital spokeswoman says she couldn't release any information.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Another story said that he is now in a homeless shelter since he had been living in a RV that he sold in order to buy the sailboat. Somebodyis organizing an effort to retrieve the now drifting sailboat. I'm surprised the Coasties didn't skuttle it rather than let it drift. Or, maybe, put somebody aboard that could sail it to port. It was only about 155 miles off shore.

John Russell
1999 C250 SR/WK #410
Bay Village, Ohio
Sailing Lake Erie
Don't Postpone Joy!

Edited by - John Russell on 12/20/2009 10:10:43

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2009 : 11:51:57

I'd have thought they'd scuttle it if he were abandoning it, unless they put a prize crew onboard, which I wouldn't think likely. I suppose they could have towed it in, but I don't see that as very likely either. It'd take them more than a day at hull speed to get back to shore which means two days off station. The only time I've seen a prize crew put on board was to bring a boat loaded down with several tons of marijuana back to Port Everglades. And even then, we simply towed them there (a very slow process indeed).

I wonder what went wrong? Was it something wrong with him, or the boat? Since statements are being made from a hospital probably him. I'd like to hear the rest of the story.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4311 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2009 : 12:18:40

From what I heard he was headed for Mexico solo when he got in trouble.

Here's the latest info I was able to find:

Update - HOUSTON -- An 80-year-old sailor who was rescued after 10 days in the Gulf of Mexico is staying at a Houston homeless shelter while acquaintances try to retrieve his sailboat.

Yacht dealer Jim Hedges says Kenneth Ketchum sold his home—a recreational vehicle—to buy the boat, which remains stranded at sea Thursday. Ketchum had been sailing solo to Mexico.

Hedges says Ketchum went to the shelter after his release from the hospital Wednesday. He says he is organizing efforts to get the boat to port.

A Coast Guard helicopter found Ketchum about 115 miles from Sabine on Tuesday after he sent a distress signal.

Edited by - GaryB on 12/20/2009 12:29:15

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
5906 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2009 : 13:25:19

It's hard to get through to some old timers. An old, retired Navy man with almost no small boat sailing experience bought a small, old sailboat at my marina, and was convinced that he knew more about boat repair than the marina staff, and more about voyaging than a local bluewater sailor, etc ., and he ended up with his boat grounded on an isolated Chesapeake beach for a few days, after which he was taken to a hospital. Before he left, we gave him an old set of nautical charts of the Bay. The "chart" that he had planned on using was a page from an Atlas that he copied from a library book. The marina staff very kindly recovered his boat for him and towed it back to the marina at no cost.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2009 : 14:08:23

This is an interesting thread. My father in law was a chief engineer for Exxon and one of those rare breed of men who could focus on a very broad range of details and keep them all in perspective to produce very sound conclusions. When that process started breaking down, it was sad to see his character take a mental crunch as he lost confidence in his abilities.

He actually took it all in stride... I recall the day his wife and daughter talked to him about giving up driving. He gracefully offered, "I've sorta been thinking about that myself," and never drove again.

I'm now approaching the age that Francis Chichester was when he took off for a solo circumnavigation... stopping only once if I recall correctly for a few months lay over in Australia.

Many years ago, one Saturday morning I engaged in a morse code contact with a Ham radio gentleman. I learned that he was 92, living in a Catholic retirement facility on the east coast and hadn't gotten his ham license until he was 89, though he had been a radio op on merchant ships during WWII and remembered his code from then. The retirement center provided the station from donated equipment.

I've a deep respect for those gentlemen that never throw the towel in as well as for those who realize when it is time in order to avoid anyone getting hurt.

btw, good to read your words Steve

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2009 : 15:46:33

At the age of 83, my dad, then living alone in a NC retirement home, had a small auto accident when a little surprise caused him to swerve into a sign post. He thought about the situation, concluded that his reflexes had let him down, and a couple of days later he drove his car to the dealer, terminated his lease, and never drove again. It's hard to express how proud I was of him--it's a monumental turning-point in one's life--a loss of independence.

I hope my judgement is a good when the time comes (assuming it hasn't already).

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 12/20/2009 15:47:28

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2009 : 21:12:29

When I first read this, my immediate reaction was that this was a guy that, perhaps, wasn't in complete control of all of his faculties. On more reflection, I wonder if he's not just a guy that lives an adventurous life and decided that sailing to Mexico couldn't be harder than driving/maintaining an RV at his age.

Whatever the case, I hope that whoever recovers his boat recognizes the guy has apparently few resources and returns it to him and doesn't just do it for salvage.

Edited by - on

topyachtbroker
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
8 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2009 : 06:03:37

Just to prevent erroneous assumptions about this sailor I'd like to add the following.
I am a yacht broker in SoTex. The rescued sailor is Kenneth Ketchum, and I sold him the boat (a co-broker deal between my company - Mustang Island Yachts - and Jim Hedges at Lonestar Yachts). The boat is a 1977 Downeast 32 named Enchantress. It belonged to my friends who owned her for more than 16 years. They sailed the boat from TX to the Bahamas several times, and cruised the ICW all the way to the Chesapeake. The former owner (my client) was an engineer and very savvy. Enchantress was in excellent condition when sold and exceptionally well equipped for voyaging, including GPS/Chartplotter at the helm and a laptop with nav programs installed. It also had a 406 EPIRB, Radar,Autopilot, and a SSB radio, and much more. It was one of the best equipped sailboats I've sold in 14 years brokering. In addition, the Westerbeke diesel was brand new.
Mr. Ketchum wished to live out the remainder of his life sailing to exotic ports. At 80, I thought he was capable, provided he kept the odds on his side, which I always advise to new sailors. He sailed the boat, new to him, up the Gulf ICW to the Houston area, running aground numerous times and feeling quite intimidated by the numerous towboats along the way. He arrived Kemah (Houston) under tow and ready to sell the boat. I encouraged him to continue on and live his dream, sending him a guide to the GICW which I wrote, with the advice to stay in the ICW all the way to FLA, at which point (about 1000 miles) he'd feel familiar enough with the boat and his skills (important) to easily make the Bahamas.
He decided to try again, but (I think) not wishing to continue in the GICW thought (I assume, as I've not spoken with him or Jim Hedges recently) offshore would be less threatening. Had he spoken with me again I would have strongly advised against attempting any crossing of the Gulf of MX, PARTICULARLY in winter when the Gulf can be extremely nasty. (Note: I have many clients who have circumnavigated, and everyone has said the Gulf of MX is the absolute worst body of water on the face of the Earth. My experience is similar, having crossed the Gulf - nearly 1000 miles straight across - 10 times!)
I feel badly that Mr. Ketchum was not successful in his endeavour and always regret when a client cannot "live his dream".
I am thoroughly amazed when people do not seek "local knowledge" and go off on their own, usually with totally erroneous assumptions regarding their skills or what they're going to find "out there". The sea is a very cruel teacher, and the lessons learned are very dear.
THOSE OF MY CLIENTS WHO HAVE FOLLOWED MY ADVICE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SUCCESSFUL, including a novice young couple who sailed a 28 ft. Pearson Triton all the way to Australia! Those who chose to ignore the value of my "local knowledge" and experience have had only about a 50/50 chance at success.
Sailors ALWAYS seek local knowledge and advice and heed it carefully. NEVER act on ASSUMPTIONS. I've yet to meet another sailor who gave bad advice. Listen carefully and apply it to your situation or pay a very severe price.

Edited by - topyachtbroker on 12/22/2009 06:15:49

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2009 : 07:14:01

Hmmmmm.... Didn't see this one coming. Was that a confession? A rebuttal? A sales pitch?

BTW - I've met many a sailor who gave bad advice. That goes for Boat Brokers too!

sten

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2009 : 07:24:06

Interesting commentary, Dennis... It begs a few questions:

1. Had Mr. Ketchum sailed before, such that the basic art of sailing (regardless of destinations), boat handling, and the rules of the road were second nature to him?

2. Did he have any experience on any boat that would give him a feeling for being "out there"--not just on the Gulf, but also crossing "The Stream" as you suggest he could have "easily" done after motoring on the ICW? (??)

In other words, at 80, did he have a realistic dream, or some sort of fantasy that did not account for the reality of taking a boat "out there" or his advanced age? I might hurt some feelings here, but my generalized observation of people at about 80 and beyond is that they are much less able to deal with the unexpected than they were or sometimes think they are. A fantasy can turn into a nightmare in a hurry.

I hope Mr. Ketchum and his investment are safe and sound.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 12/22/2009 07:26:22

topyachtbroker
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
8 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2009 : 07:55:28

Mr. Ketchum was a sailor when younger and, yes, he did indicate he had skills, though rusty. I have many clients who are quite aged. After all, few young folks can afford yachts and/or cruising! Any cruising anchorage will have mostly retired folks, and they range all ages. As an aside, I have a very dear friend who is 92, and I am selling his last boat - number 10 in a series, all with the same name (He also had many others with different names). His arthritis has finally convinced him to give it up. He has nearly 70 years experience and probably close to 100,000 miles under his many keels.
While concerned about Capt. Ketchum and his intentions when I sold the boat, he assured me (and HIS broker - I was merely the listing broker) that he was capable. He was also given a day's instruction on the bay with the boat by the seller.
Please don't find fault with me as I was the listing broker and my responsibility is to my client - the seller. I cannot make a decision for a buyer, despite anything I might think or observe (and in this business you get to see it all, with lots of wild dreams). It would be an egregious error as the listing broker to deny him the purchase of the boat (broker code of ethics).
My advise to Mr. Ketchum was to FIND CREW. Solo is always quite dangerous, and again, in my years I've seen it all. Think of all of the highly experienced captains who have disappeared at sea. I learned MY lesson while crossing the Gulf Stream in 2000, singlehanded while rounding up dock lines after departing Old Bahama Bay Marina at West End. A beautiful day with about 10 kts wind, seas less than 2 ft, and sun shining brightly. On autopilot, on the foredeck coiling lines (I hate trip hazards on a boat), the boat pitched and I nearly went overboard. With no harness (stupid) and no PFD (even more stupid!) I immediately changed all of that! Over confidence will get you every time. There is no room for over-confidence at sea.
The Gulf Stream can be ugly or benign. Again, use local knowledge and choose your weather CAREFULLY - and with knowledge! I've crossed the Stream in beautiful sailing weather; in less than optimum conditions (and gotten pretty beaten up!); and been turned back once. It's not always ugly, but it has the potential to be deadly.
Mr. Ketchum, against all advice to the contrary, chose his course and no one can do anything other than offer advice. I wish you knew how may times I have warned sailors, "DO NOT VENTURE INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO IN THE DEAD OF WINTER!! NEVER!!" That advice came to me from my 92 year old friend.
Egos will get anyone in trouble. If you think your experience sailing the lakes at home or from a charter in the BVI's are adequate experience to make life endangering decisions you are sadly mistaken. I'm sorry, but to all of you purists who think you know it all and can really handle your boat, if you're using Lyn and Larry Pardey as example you are without any doubt headed for trouble.
My wife always advises: keep the odds in your favor. (She's always right! Damn!)
Same thing as this example. Your big head is going to get you in trouble.
One last thing: if Mr. Ketchum is fortunate enough to get his boat back you will find that he LOVES that boat! It saved his life!
Been there - done that.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
5906 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2009 : 08:10:22

Thanks for your contribution, Dennis. Discussions are always more interesting when we have some of the facts behind the bare news reports.

Older folks, who have survived wars, floods, hurricanes, economic ruin, diseases and the like, tend to become self-reliant, believing that their good judgment has enabled them to survive, and some of them tend to dismiss the advice of others, especially younger people who have probably had less life experience. Many have the self-confidence to believe that, whatever happens, they'll be able to cope with it, just as they always have. I think that's the attitude that the old timer had who sailed out of my marina and got himself in trouble after disregarding the advice of experienced sailors, and it sounds like your friend made a similar mistake.

If you have been challenged by hazards many times during your life, and have met those challenges, you trust yourself, and it's hard to accept someone else's advice. Nevertheless, no matter how good we are, or think we are, we can all benefit by paying attention to the thoughts of other experienced people, especially if we are less experienced.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2009 : 08:37:54

Take a chill pill Dennis.

The folks on this forum express a wide range of opinions but none have made any accusations in this topic. The experiences on this forum are wide ranging from the "lakes at home" (mine happens to be Lake Erie - not exactly a pond) to ocean racers (our most recent Commodore). It's interesting that you happened on this thread. If you were to spend some time here, you'd find a great deal of sailing experiences reflected in the membership.

I'm sure your advice to Mr. Ketchum was sage and well recieved. However, your comments come across as somebody trying to defend what, in retrospect, might have been a bad idea. I agree, as the seller's broker, your obligation was to the seller. You have no obligation to the buyer. In fact, the buyer's broker has no real obligation other than to honestly represent the buyer's wishes.

I hope that Mr. Ketchum does get his boat back. I hope that he has many years enjoying it. I'm glad that it was equipped with adequate safety gear, it did save his life.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2009 : 09:02:22

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 Take a chill pill Dennis...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">John, I don't think Dennis is being defensive--he's laying out the facts as he knows them. He has a right to respond to what could be considered my challenge of his first statement about going across The Stream to the Bahamas. I wondered if that was a bit too presumptuous.

(As to how Dennis "happened" upon us, I suspect we were Googled.

)

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2009 : 09:43:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by topyachtbroker
 At 80, I thought he was capable, provided he kept the odds on his side, which I always advise to new sailors. He sailed the boat, new to him, up the Gulf ICW to the Houston area, running aground numerous times and feeling quite intimidated by the numerous towboats along the way. He arrived Kemah (Houston) under tow and ready to sell the boat. I encouraged him to continue on and live his dream,...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Ready to sell? It appears Mr. Ketchum's little voice might have been telling him that he was biting off more than he could chew,...

Edited by - dlucier on 12/22/2009 09:44:55

topyachtbroker
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
8 Posts

Response Posted - 12/23/2009 : 08:19:29

Indeed, he should've listened to reason. I try my damnedest to get folks headed in the right direction. The rest will fall in place - provided you listen to others! And that's precisely what I've tried to say here.
I can say definitively that every single newbie that headed out of this area on their own, with half-baked ideas and dreams, and the experiences they've gained on the local lake, that all failed in one fashion or another. And I am not referring to the Great Lakes, where things are the same as any open ocean. Remember the Edmund Fitzgerald. I do.
And I'm not being defensive. A discussion is a discussion.
For the person wondering how I found this site, Google is correct. Looking for information about Capt. Ketchum I found this site.
Since my business is sailboats and sailing I spend a lot of time reading the thoughts of others. As the Beach Boys said, "I Get Around!"
Let me end with just one last admonition: PLEASE seek, listen to, and HEED LOCAL KNOWLEDGE.
See, I like to sleep at night and if there's someone I've sold a boat to that I haven't counselled about going about this sport the right way I wish that person would stand up. I have genuine concern for the clients (who almost always become friends) who patronize my business. I have loaned my 6 man Avon survival raft to numerous clients who headed out across the Gulf without one. "Just send it back. Unused!"
I lost it a few years ago when a client's boat came apart and they took a ride with a tanker, leaving the boat and my raft!
And i never asked for a replacement. I instead felt grateful that my client (friend) got to go home to his loved ones. Who cares about that raft! I did the right thing, and my guy is on to another boat (paid for with insurance monies.)
Please don't lump me in with the brokers and broker wannabes who only care about the buckos. I love this sport (it changed my life) and I offer the good things that I learned to everyone who will listen. Including this Forum.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 12/23/2009 : 09:39:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by topyachtbroker
 Indeed, he should've listened to reason. I try my damnedest to get folks headed in the right direction. The rest will fall in place - provided you listen to others! And that's precisely what I've tried to say here.
I can say definitively that every single newbie that headed out of this area on their own, with half-baked ideas and dreams, and the experiences they've gained on the local lake, that all failed in one fashion or another. And I am not referring to the Great Lakes, where things are the same as any open ocean. Remember the Edmund Fitzgerald. I do.
And I'm not being defensive. A discussion is a discussion.
For the person wondering how I found this site, Google is correct. Looking for information about Capt. Ketchum I found this site.
Since my business is sailboats and sailing I spend a lot of time reading the thoughts of others. As the Beach Boys said, "I Get Around!"
Let me end with just one last admonition: PLEASE seek, listen to, and HEED LOCAL KNOWLEDGE.
See, I like to sleep at night and if there's someone I've sold a boat to that I haven't counselled about going about this sport the right way I wish that person would stand up. I have genuine concern for the clients (who almost always become friends) who patronize my business. I have loaned my 6 man Avon survival raft to numerous clients who headed out across the Gulf without one. "Just send it back. Unused!"
I lost it a few years ago when a client's boat came apart and they took a ride with a tanker, leaving the boat and my raft!
And i never asked for a replacement. I instead felt grateful that my client (friend) got to go home to his loved ones. Who cares about that raft! I did the right thing, and my guy is on to another boat (paid for with insurance monies.)
Please don't lump me in with the brokers and broker wannabes who only care about the buckos. I love this sport (it changed my life) and I offer the good things that I learned to everyone who will listen. Including this Forum.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks for your contribution. I'm one of the lake sailors you speak of, sailing in Ray Hubbard just east of Dallas. Yes, I started out on Long Island Sound years ago but I'd call myself a (reborn) lake sailor. Your advice about the Gulf in the dead of winter has been received. As an aside, I once rented a beach house in Crystal Beach (It's gone now.)that was directly on the Gulf inter coastal waterway and I can totally see how Mr. Ketchum was intimidated by the huge barges and tugs. They are massive and numerous.

The first thing I thought of when I started reading this article was that he should have grabbed some crew. I'm sure there are plenty of sailors who'd love to crew on a nice well equipped boat like that. I don't think it's a good idea for a man of such advanced age to singlehand as if he has any health problems there's no one there to at least render aid.

Maybe if I ever get down there to sail I'll get in touch. We love vacationing on Pt Bolivar and Galveston. Cheers and welcome to the forum.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 12/23/2009 : 09:45:27

topyachtbroker,
I would offer only two things which don't have much to do with this conversation. I don't think most of us look at sailing as a sport. And guys like us on websites like this ARE local knowledge

So it'd probably be a good idea to steer new owners to their respective sites where no doubt they'd receive ideas and knowledge from folks who own the same boat.

Edited by - on

topyachtbroker
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
8 Posts

Response Posted - 12/23/2009 : 10:55:09

Local knowledge, no matter where you go, is imperative. You can get it in the form of "scuttlebutt" at any marina. Also, a good source is any cruising guide. Most cruising guides have no advice for serious offshore sailing, though.
I started sailing on the lakes of Colorado. Been sailing the Gulf Coast for the past 18 years, having crossed the Gulf 10 times. I've seen good out there and bad. Just be sure you have a sound vessel, because it's gonna get tested! The crew is almost always the weak link.
As for the Galveston area/Bolivar Peninsula, relative to the GICW, it's the worst! Way too much traffic, particularly at Bolivar where they make-up their tows. Also, approaching the 2 bridges from the south is extremely hazardous due to poor visual conditions. You absolutely MUST use the VHF there, and know the correct freq, as it does change right there from 16 to 13.
My brokerage is in Rockport. Mustang Island Yachts.
Sailing is a great ... pursuit! (Had to think of an appropriate word, as I was challenged in the "sport" description!) I am about to embark on a very long cruise and look forward to it with great anticipation, and some anxiety.
Like my wife says, "Keep the odds in your favor." Our mantra.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 12/23/2009 : 13:48:39

Dennis... Thanks for dropping in, and have a great, safe cruise! You've got some excellent local knowledge there, and very good general advice. I guess the Gulf is like The Stream--no "weather window" is a certainty--just better odds... and once you're out there, you're out there! The advice I've heard many times about crossing The Stream is that if the wind is NW, N, or NE, wait.

Edited by - on

topyachtbroker
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
8 Posts

Response Posted - 12/24/2009 : 05:24:10

Dave:
An enjoyable discourse. Thanks for being a part. Your Eastern looks pretty kewl! I have a similar boat for sale here. It's a Webbers Cove/Pemaquid Beach diesel. Nice boat but a difficult sell here. It's been said that if it's not a sport fishing boat or a sailboat it can't be sold in SoTex. As a broker I have to be optimistic, but the boat does not have much appeal in this part of the world where picnic boats are few and far between and haven't caught on.
As for that devil, the Gulf Stream, I have a huge amount of respect for it. and yes, you are exactly correct: any wind component with an "N" in it is pretty much untenable. It is experience that allows you to make the decision of when to go and when to sit. Patience is indeed prudence.
Safe boating and fair winds.
D

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 12/24/2009 : 06:33:10

So sell it here! I might have your buyer... I sent him the Yachtworld listing. So what do we do about the 2000 miles?

Hey, ya never know!

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 12/24/2009 : 06:37:10

TopYachtBroker - I've always said that modesty was a sign of no talent.

OK - I'll bite. This almost sounds like an episode for my new sailing show called "How long will it float?" It is a reality based show as my wife and I have been cruising on our C&C 39 for the last two and a half years. (We did own a C25, so trolling around in tough times can't be a bad idea sales and marketing wise. Someone might want to drink the KoolAid and go cruising and will need a good boat.)

Anyway, 80 YO man decides to hang up the RV keys and go cruising. Seen it happen, well we've seen 80 YO sailors anyway. But they weren't just starting out on a 32 foot sailboat after decades of not sailing and maintaining a sailboat. No most were on the way out of the business, not on the way in!!!

"He arrived Kemah (Houston) under tow and ready to sell the boat. I encouraged him to continue on and live his dream, sending him a guide to the GICW which I wrote, with the advice to stay in the ICW all the way to FLA, at which point (about 1000 miles) he'd feel familiar enough with the boat and his skills (important) to easily make the Bahamas."

Back to my reality show - Scene one: 80 YO gent pulls up with a Winnebago with a Jeep as his LandYacht Dinghy. "Excuse me sir! Do you know where I can find a yacht broker. The guys at Midas told me that they cant make this here Winnebago float and that I should buy me one of them Blue Water cruisers I saw in the magazines, you know the ones with the purty girls hanging all over it. I want to sail one of them boats somewhere warm where the purty girls are hanging on my boat. Can you help me mister?"

Scene two: The seller takes Mr. Ketchum for a day of sailing instruction... Seller isn't gonna say a word as the seller is approaching the same age - i.e. the age of getting away from big boats - as the buyer, but notes Mr. Ketchum doesn't really get the hang of it all.

Scene three: Mr. Ketchum arrives in Kemah (Houston) under tow and ready to sell the boat. TopYachtBroker encourages him to continue on and live his dream, sending him a guide to the GICW which he wrote, with the advice to stay in the ICW all the way to FLA, at which point (about 1000 miles) he'd feel familiar enough with the boat and his skills (important) to easily make the Bahamas. Camera slowly pans towards cruising sailor (ME) in complete disbelief as "The Twilight Zone" theme song plays in the background. "He ran aground a bunch of times and wanted to sell the boat and you talked him into keeping it? He has a 5 foot draft!!! THAT IS NOT AN ICW BOAT! Particularly on THAT side... I wouldn't go thru Georgia on the ICW or even some places in the Bahamas with that boat. A decent yacht broker would have found a more suitable vessel for the guy - he wanted to sell it. He decided to go offshore! He had too, he was tired of running aground!!! Your book can't help him - he has a 5 foot draft!!!!! Aaaarrrgghhhh!!!! Weather router? Modem packet for weather files? Did he know how to pull em down? You encouraged him to live his dream instead of relisting the boat???? AAARRRRGGGHHHHHH!!!!"

Scene 4: Two guys dressed in white uniforms approach cruising sailor and apply restraints while cruising sailor shouts "10 Hail Mary's and Go in Peace TopYachtBroker and Merry Christmas to all!

Edited by - on

Ed Cassidy
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
365 Posts

Response Posted - 12/24/2009 : 06:51:12

You always try to sugarcoat everything. Why don't you just tell us how you feel!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 12/24/2009 : 07:48:30

I was waiting for that!

Scene 5: Downeast 32 is towed back into Biscayne Bay... a couple of days after the USCG chopper has dropped Mr. Ketchum off at Jackson Memorial, where he was examined and released, and is now negotiating with a used-RV dealer for a trade.

Edited by - on

topyachtbroker
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
8 Posts

Response Posted - 12/24/2009 : 08:03:45

Sheesh!! Hey, I just sell 'em! Please try to remember that I was the listing broker. My legal (fiduciary) responsibility is to the person who contracted me - the seller. I go one step further with OTHER BROKER'S CLIENTS and try to offer good advice. That is beyond my duty. It is the SELLING BROKER's responsibility to find the correct boat for the buyer.
Again, I tried to set Capt. Ketchum on the right course, and one that I knew he'd be successful with. He also had a complete set of charts from TX to the Bahamas and the entire East Coast ICW, PLUS a fully loaded chartplotter, AND all of the relevent charts on the laptop that was a part of the package he got with the boat. Remember: you can take a horse to water but you can't make him drink.
Your comments indicate to me that you've never navigated the Gulf ICW. It has a guaranteed 14 ft minimum depth across it's entire length, from Brownsville, TX to Carabelle, FLA. I've traveled it so many times (in my boat which draws nearly 6 ft., and numerous others while doing deliveries) I can do it in the dark - and fog! And I have!!! Both at the same time, and I assure you I have NEVER grounded along the way. My familiarity with the East Coast ICW is from Daytona Beach south to Miami. And I understand well your admonishment regarding depths on the parts north of FLA, having numerous clients who have traveled it, plus the jillions of articles written about its depth problems.
Anyone - ANYONE - can safely navigate the GICW provided they first GET SOME KNOWLEDGE! It is the easiest and safest way from TX to FLA. If you want a treatise on that water I'm well prepared to describe every mile of the way.
Capt. Ketchum had the most difficult parts of the GICW behind him. I can think of absolutely no shoaling problems all the way to Carabelle (in the FLA Panhandle) except for little East Bay in FLA, just short of Appalachicola, once leaving the Houston Ship Channel and joining the GICW at Bolivar Peninsula
Don't take me to task for someone else's failings, particularly after I've provided all of the best advice they'll need.
Those people who have difficulty just ain't paying attention to 1.) the charts, 2.) information easily gleaned from the many towboat pilots who will GLADLY inform anyone of what lies ahead of them and MAKE ROOM FOR THOSE WHO ASK FOR IT, and 3.) THEIR DEPTHSOUNDER!!!
For crying out loud, it ain't rocket science!
As an aside to this Forum, the seller of that Downeaster bought a Catalina-25 and loves it!
Now, please! Enough on this subject!!
And have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Edited by - on

Page: of 2

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.