Now I had a long list of priorities that seemed to make the search more difficult than it should have been, some very important some not so important, this was my non-negotiable list
1) A boat I could fish alone in with ease
2) A boat I could launch by myself and get into when the docks are out
3) A good enclosure for frostbite fishing
4) Between 18 and 21 ft
5) A good fishing deck with high gunnel's
6) Something with enough nuts to push 3 big guys down the lake with ease
Have you ever bought a boat in this area in November? Just because it is listed for sale does not mean that the owner is going to open it up and let you take it out on the water without ME the buyer paying to have it re-winterized…. But everything happens for a reason, and I thank all of those people now who just weeks ago I was speaking not so nicely about.
A big thanks goes out to My Wife Molly, Pat Church, Bill Lowell, Ron Winter, Rob Thorne, Jeremy Lucia, my dad Millard and Vermont Home and Marine Who all helped in one way or another in this long decision making process.
A needle in a hay stack is what I determined this search to be turning into and I had come to terms with the idea that I may be off the water for quite a while. I spent countless hours online looking at different boat company’s….who knew there were so many. My dad who is in Florida was on the hunt down there, he laughed when I said he should start looking for us down there, apparently there is a boat for sale in every other yard and a marina on every corner.
My search leads me to a Small town in Maine Called St Gardiner, where I meet Art and Cathy Warren who have a rare gem that is seldom found on the east coast a 2005 19ft C-Dory Angler for sale, Art had retired a few years back bought this boat as his retirement toy, he was only able to use it a few seasons and it had not been in the water or out of storage for over 3 years due to illness and had now come to terms with letting the right people buy it. I never thought I would be the one who was interviewed poked and prodded to make sure I was worthy of his beloved C-Dory. Good thing I brought some hats, Lures and plenty of fish tails for him.
After my interview I was allowed to take it to the local marina and have it gone over by the tech and do a water test. Oh boy……. Not a doubt in my mind, this had to come home with me! I am very much a softy, so the thought of haggling price with someone in a wheelchair that was still as sharp as a tack was not something I was looking forward to…. Thus being why I brought my loving wife Molly with me. After returning the boat to the Warrens house we put our game faces on and went inside. Apparently It was decided by the warrens while were out testing it that the boat would go home with us. A quick deal was decided and after we declined to stay the night at their home we were ready to be on the way.
I just want to say that this man is like all of us die hard fishermen, and the thought of taking this boat (his baby) from him was very emotional for everyone present, only with the thought that he would never use it again and I was going to treat it like the beauty that she is was it OK for us to say our heart felt goodbyes to the Warrens and head down the road.
So without Further adue......... The new crazy Ivan
PAt my Two boys and I spend yesterday putting some gear on..... Got a ways to go, lots of new toys to order and install. The x4, fish finder, radio, GPS, duel battery and two rigger went on yesterday, Friday will be duel battery switch, troll king and a water test on lake Champlain..... Rods included. Two New Scotty's and a trac system to follow........
FISH ON!
( Jon ) BB
Very nice.