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If the Belhaven situation is similar to Portland, then there may also be many there that are working to preserve its character, so it may serve the cause to continue going there and support and encourage those businesses and organizations that do.

Yep. That boat sounds like my boat before I bought her.

She had original sails, which I replaced over three seasons.

And she still has a monstrosity of a stove: a Kenyon pressurized alcohol/electric stove -- and the owner-installed shore power circuit is a monstrosity. (I use a little portable Coleman propane stove.)

If that's the case, you definitely shouldn't be paying $20K for it.

--Joe

thanks joe, and let me say if your boat was for sail for 16.5, i could be a player. if this boat was mint, i could go the 20k, cuz i really like these boats. after a looooooong talk with the broker who was aboard the boat at the time, it has original sails, original rigging, pressure alchohol stove, and is due for a haulout and bottom paint next year. it has some owner done cabinetry that looks very nice in the photos and is no doubt a clean boat. engine is a yanmar with high hours, but well maintained. not worried about that. those things will outlast all of us with good care. so, the owner wants 20k for a boat that needs sails, rigging and a stove. much as i would love to see myself as the new owner, just cant see my way clear. as i see it, the boat needs 8 to 10k to get it ready to go. thanks for the input though joe. appreciate hearing from an owner. regards, j.d.

Perhaps the closer to ideal a place is [that is, unique], the more profound the degradation or loss of that can be perceived to be. I think of Mozart replying to the criticism of his music, saying that it had exactly the number of notes that he required.

I agree that the intention of the person doing the criticizing is important. If it is to draw attention to a real threat of potential loss, with a constructive spirit, then I take that as a positive thing.

Here in Maine (in Portland I'm thinking about specifically) about 25 years ago there were sudden major changes to the harbor waterfront, with the new construction of many condos there along the old docks. In addition to the initial changes to the character of the areas, there was the concern that the traditional uses could not compete economically with the deep pockets of the investors and that traditional uses, businesses, public access, and activities would be driven out to other areas (for as long as those areas would remain available).

A real concern was that it was the beginning of a long-term trend, and the cumulative change over time, and nothing organized to counterbalance it. There was the irony that many of the people who might be coming to live in a condo to enjoy the views of and experience the traditional local culture could, if it continued unchecked, ultimately destroy the very thing that brought them here.

It led to discussions about how certain development can be very profitable in the short term to a few, can sometimes be harmful to larger economic interests [as well as local heritage and cultural identity, which transcend economics] of the many in the long term, and who represents those interests and how they can be balanced, and with the public learning what is at stake, and making planning decisions that guide development with that understanding.  

One response to it was the creation of organizations like this:
http://www.workingwaterfront.com/

No, 'tis I that apologize for being oblique. Probably for fear of offending new found friends, especially someone with the moniker s/v faith. What I was trying to convey was my sense that looking for the silver lining in the cloud means we ignore the reality of an approaching storm. I think it's wonderful that despite all the bad news we persist in seeing the good that endures and the beauty of the human spirit.
But, for myself' it was only when I lost all hope that I began to take seriously the need to radically alter how I lived, and then to seek out others willing to go beyond 'looking on the bright side' type positive thinking, or worse "escaping america" [title of magazine]  people who were, in many different ways, 'thinking out side the box' and exploring news ways of living together.

First the disclosure: I've owned and sailed a Cape Dory 25D since October 2003, and I love my little big boat.

At that time I paid around $15,000 for a boat in usable condition; I put perhaps another $5 to $8K into bringing her into better condition (barrier coating the bottom, having the yard sand and Cetol the badly ignored teak for the first season, overhauling the workhorse Yanmar 1GM engine, buying a roller furler and converting one of her jibs for use).

Since then, I've had to pay for expensive engine repairs, and I've bought a new main and genny.

If I added all that up, I'd probably ask $18 to $20 K for her now (and probably settle for $16.5K in a pinch.)

For some comparison:

This spring, a friend and I checked out a 25D in mint/perfect condition. Her owner loved his boat, kept everything in top condition (he's a retired Navy submariner). He was asking $24K for the boat, including jackstands and a Fairclough canvas cover and frame.

I thought that was kind of high for a 25D, but a friend who repairs boats for a living says that's not unreasonable for a boat that was maintained by a fanatic.

The 25D is a rare boat to find, especially on the "other coast." That said, you might be able to find the much more common Cape Dory 28 for about the same amount of money. It's a lot more boat -- too much boat for me.

Hope this helps a bit.

--Joe

....
What really puzzles me is it that whenever someone has the temerity to point out something wrong, instead of addressing the issue, the person is called negative.....

  Oh, I hope that is not what came across in my post.  I assure you, that John is neither negitive, nor do I wish to
suggest so.  He is a very encouraging person, and I am quite thankful that he is a personal friend of mine.

  My intention is to say that even as places change, and even if those changes include things we might not wish
for, that there is still much good that can remain.... and that we do well to look for that.

  Sorry to give the wrong impression.



OBTW,

  I bought a really funny t shirt in Bellhaven.  It simply says;

Paris France
London England
(some other famous city I can not recall)
Belhaven North Carolina. 

Charlie do you know that a complete settlement disappeared not fa from there on Roanoke Island.

Yep - Croatan. I spent some time in Manteo years ago. In fact, I was there JUST before the launching of the Elizabeth II. She was still on the ways then.

Dockage at Manteo was $5 per night then, and the shower was roofless, and drained through the dock boards. Bet that's changed.

I was looking at Belhaven as our next destination.  I should admit I'm not much for change and prefer the quite little ports then the newly developed.

Thanks John this came at perfect timing,  I remember walking around some old Europan towns and not seeing anyone and feeling creep-ed out, Charlie do you know that a complete settlement disappeared not fa from there on Roanoke Island.

I should ask if there are alot of shallow areas to watch for. (All my charts are on the boat.)

Captain Smollett, Many thanks for the information on DIY yards.
Wish I could do the bottom here [Brooklyn, NY] before leaving but the local yards don't allow this claiming environmental regulations require trained and certified bottom painters. Would be fine with me if they actually followed the regulations [tarps under the boat for example] and didn't assign the job to the immigrant peon who worked without gloves or mask. I suspect paint was thinned, or stretched, certainly didn't get two coats specified and paid for. So a racket but I have learned the hard way not to go up against our local mafias.