Boat in Middle River, MD area....

[AdriftAtSea]

Saw this ad on Craigslist posted, thought it might be of interest to someone here.

I am relly in need of some help with a boat that apperently is still mine. I have sold this boat but the new owner never changed the title and now I am stuck with it. I am willing to pay someone to take it off my hands. I have a clear title. The worst part about this boat is the supposed new owner has taken all sails couhions, and all the necessay equipement out of the boat to keep it safe, only issue is that he has dropped off the face of the earth. If anyone knows of a marina that would help I would be greatful. I sold this boat in july of 07. I have since been to Iraq (tour of duty) and back and this boat is still around. I was considering taking it out and sinking it but I think that would not be good for the bay. This is a 1967 columbia contender sailboat it is located in Hopkins creek off of middle river. Someone please help
Call Kevin @ 443-310-0177

The link to the Craigslist ad is HERE.

[Godot]

Practically where I keep my boat.  But I'm going to be hard pressed to pay my marina bill this January, so someone else is gonna have to help the guy.

[hearsejr]

 can someone try and get a peak at her for me? I talked with Kev, and he said the decks and hull were good, but the cockpit could use some bracing up.  the cushions and sails and outboard are gone.
I got some sails from my SC-22, that might work to get her to move. I have an outboard but the shaft might not be long enough. if I could find an anchorage to use for the month of Jan., I could take her off his hands till we find a needy owner...or I'll fix her up, use her for week ending.

[AdriftAtSea]

Hearsejr-

Godot is fairly close to the boat in question according to his post... maybe he could take a look at it for you. :)

[hearsejr]

 thanks.....I got to see if we can work out a deal..lol. how many beers does it take to talk someone in too looking over a boat? lololol

[Godot]

I probably can do.  Not til the weekend, though.

[hearsejr]

 kewl deal,  thanks.

[Godot]

I'm going to try and look tomorrow.  Is the boat at a dock or at anchor?  I don't know of any marinas up Hopkins Creek; but that doesn't mean anything.  It could be at a private residence for all I know.  I haven't called Kevin, yet.

[Godot]

Oh, and you can borrow my outboard motor, if you like, to move the boat.  It is hard to start in cold weather; but once it gets going it runs fine.

You might be able to work a deal at my marina (Maryland Marina on Frog Mortar Creek, also on Middle River) for winter wet storage.  They are good folks there. I have no idea what they would charge, though.

[Godot]

Uh, the boat is at anchor.  I will see if I can get a look at it; but I don't have a suitable dinghy.  Kevin says I can probably wade out to it; but given that the temperature is in the mid thirties, I'm not real enthused by that idea.

Sorry.

Too bad this didn't come up two weeks ago when my boat was still in the water.  Oh, well.

[Godot]

I drove around the roads at the head of Hopkins Creek but could not find any public access to the water.  I "accidentally" missed seeing the no trespassing sign at a condo/marina complex but I don't think I was far enough up the creek as I didn't see any boats at anchor.

My best guess is that the guy who "bought" the boat is not coming back and the MDE is getting on Kevin's case about it.  Whoever goes to check it out is going to need a boat to get there.  Even if I where to dig out my little inflatable, I don't think it is up to a long row (I don't have a motor for it) up the creek.

What can I say, but, I tried.

[Auspicious]

I have a Caribe L9 in Annapolis and a Honda 9.9 I'd be happy to lend to the cause, but I need someone here to help get it off the foredeck and into the back of my truck. I have some gluing to do ( http://www.boatnumberplate.com/home ), so if said person has a heated garage or accessible basement I could use for a few days--or could help me get it into my girlfriend's basement--I would be very grateful.

It could be quite the adventure, with pictures and everything! <grin>

[Godot]

I could help with lifting the Caribe; but I don't even have a driveway, never mind a garage, and my wife won't let me put MY boat projects in the basement, never mind yours.   I can help after work one night this week.

Get it legal, though, and we can probably launch the boat at my marina (unless you want to sail all the way to Middle River in the chilly month of December) and zip the four or five miles to where the mystery boat is languishing.  Of course, scheduling gets hard for me as I'm working next weekend, and then immediately taking off out of state for Christmas week; but if it will hold until January I'd be available for an adventure of sorts.  Or it's possible I could end up, uh, "sick" sometime during the week.  Maybe Hearsejr could make it down?

If Hearsejr wants the boat after checking it out, I'm sure we could shift anchorages. I'm not sure what is wrong with the one it is at, except that maybe it has attracted too much attention (and is perhaps not deep enough).  I bet the registration has expired.  We could probably move it either further down Hopkins Creek, or bring it across to Frog Mortar Creek.  With a valid registration sticker it will probably live just fine at anchor through January at least.  Ice I guess could be a problem; but I've seen other boats anchored out all winter (and this one has spent at least one winter at anchor).  I don't think it typically gets too thick, here.

[Auspicious]

I'll see if I can get the boat to Janet's basement this week so I can get it warm enough to glue the number plates on. Assuming that works out, I can have a boat-inspection "adventure" anytime on or after the 26th.

sail fast, dave

[Godot]

It's kinda funny how much discussion has gone into looking at a boat none of us knows anything about and is probably a wreck.  Still, from what I can figure, the Columbia Contender is a good design, so maybe it's not all bad.

I suspect it comes down to a reluctance of letting a good boat die.

[Auspicious]

All that, and the spirit of adventure!

[hearsejr]

 hi guys..sorry I was not around the last couple of days. thanks for driving out there, Adam. don't get in to any tresspassing troubles on my account. let me know what I owe you for the trouble.
  I have no problem meeting with you guys somewhere and helping get your boats fixed up.
  I just hate to see her get destroyed if some one can fix her and use her. I would love to get her safe and sound till mid Jan, and bring her to a closer yard, and get her in ship shape.

I like the adventure and the excitement of saving a classic. I can probably come up with a way to get The registration up to date, if you guys think she is worth the effort.
I have some heaters and I can get some PVC pipe to build a "greenhouse" temp shelter. we should be able to get the green house warm enough to get the glue to stick.
just let me know what I can do to help yall out.
thanks
  Bill

[Auspicious]

Where are you Bill?

dave

[hearsejr]

I'm in Goldsboro NC.   have bike will travel type. lol. (even though the front tire is slick)