Life on Zingara

The last few days have been busy with unpacking the car, and repacking our stuff into the boat. So, here's our bedroom, the aft cabin.  We're getting as much as we can stowed -- what ever doesn't fit,  will go back home to Michigan.  I guess we really didn't need it anyway! So, how do you like our "bread box"? The other day, we took Zingara out on our Maiden Voyage, with Rick maneuvering the boat without a co-pilot.  (Can you tell he didn't want his picture taken?) and I even took a turn at the helm, up on the flying bridge. And since, I actually made dinner in the galley, have enjoyed many breakfasts with coffee and fruit, and even overnight guests (Maggie & Mike Allen), I'm beginning to think that we going to make it, and will probably really enjoy, this Living-on-a-Boat  Adventure!

In late February, 2017, husband  Rick, son Alex, and I drove to a small town near Annapolis, MD to check out two boats that Rick and our broker found on the internet (YachtWorld.com).  We looked at this  boat, the Zingara, as it was in a storage shed (held upright by huge metal stands), with about 30 other boats.  This enabled us (well, Rick) to inspect the hull, propellers, rudders, etc.  After climbing up a ladder, just to get to the swim platform, we had a wonderful in-depth tour of the boat, engines, bridges, and dingy. All of it was up to, and often exceeded, Rick's (and Alex's and my) standards. On the drive back to Michigan, we placed an offer on her and it was accepted! As the boatyard has to move the other surrounding boats -- first in/last out --  the boat didn't go into the water till early April.  So,we returned to Oxford, once again, our car filled with boat necessities, to run trials on the boat and close on t...

Just so you all know, I've never done this before.  Please feel free to share your advice, corrections, and suggestions with me along the way. Backstory:  My husband grew up on Long Island, with a canal and boat(s) in his back yard. He worked in boat yards and went clamming for summer jobs. He earned a Mechanical Engineering degree, and has worked for Ford & multiple suppliers.  So, I my opinion, he makes for a great boating partner.   Except for the facts, and you'll hear more about this along the way, that he's a bit impatient, can't sit still for long, and can loose 10 lbs. by giving up drinking beer for a week, I love him dearly! I grew up living very close to Lake Michigan, (could walk to the beach through the woods in our back yard) and enjoyed sailing a small "Butterfly" sailboat on Muskegon Lake. I received a mishmash-ed degree from MSU, but really only went to college for my "MRS" degree.  I always wanted to just be a mom!   Fortu...