Anybody who has an old boat knows my pain. I have always tried to maintain a realistic attitude toward classic boating, i.e. as much as it can be fun and rewarding it can equally suck! I have spent most of my life in , on and around Chris Crafts. I proudly sport a Harley-Davidson tat and would gladly have one representing my love of CC too if I was still into putting the ink on. This latest blow (read as "bloweduprealgood") has thrown me a curve. I am not sure whether I am into a repower. I know that a long block can be had for under 2K. Then there is the time I would have to spend on the labor. So many people have said to me, "that's a labor of love" that I have developed a pat answer, "yeah, but it's a love/hate relationship".
The biggest disappointment is not being able to roll into Huron under full power. Looking forward to that rendezvous has been the extra motivation needed to push so hard on the toe rail job. I was looking forward to that feeling of pride you get when other Commander owners show their appreciation for the work we do to our boats. After giving it a bit of thought I have decided to limp down on one engine, (might as well troll for some walleye along the way). I will buy into a towing service just in case of trouble.
What to do? I have options to consider. It is complicated. I have not lost my love for these old boats. I know that Feelgood is one of the better 38's around. I seem to keep coming back to the conclusion that my time as here keeper might have come to an end. I have had many material possessions in my life. Most of them carbon belching, fire breathing, gas guzzling man toys. I concluded long ago that they are inanimate objects and eventually turn into a means to move on to the next one. I look at them as a sort of commodity. I have giving the Feelgood a lot of love, time and money. I guess I am kinda tired at this point. It might be time to hand her over to the next guy and let somebody with fresh enthusiasm take her to next level. My decision is has some personal financial basis also, I am in the construction buiz after all! The ante is getting big to keep a boat of this size around the Lake Erie Islands.
So, here's the deal, I am offering her for sale or trade. She's paid for so, (the cash although it would be nice to have a bunch), is not the primary issue. I need this boat to go to somebody with the wherewithal take over from here. The ultimate scenario would be a trade for a smaller Commander in poor to fair condition plus some money to put into it. I am not in denial about what a 38' with bad motors is worth, but she sure is pretty. Like Paul said I feel like the hard and expensive work has happened. I can throw in a couple of 1000hr 454's to repower with also.
If someone out there would like to have her call me on my cell 614-207-5942 and we can see what we can work out.
Yours Truly, Chris Wade
