That’s a beautiful sight. Keep the pictures coming. We’re still “have nots” until next Thursday.
Any surprises, pleasant or otherwise?
Was getting ready to ask for an update on Alba Bella. Sounds like one week away and she will be in your hands! That is awesome to hear. I am really happy for you and Patti. I know it has been a long journey, with the Pandemic slowing things, and the mix up with our two boats.
No real surprises yet. We have worked through most of the punch list, with Van taking the lead. He has done an excellent job resolving them, keeping me up to speed, explaining and sometimes re-explaining when I have questions. I think you will be very happy with the responsiveness and the concern of the Helmsman team in making sure that the boat is top notch. The people there are the real asset, at least in my assessment of the company.
The marina here in Iuka Ms, have been very responsive, too. The marina is Aqua Yacht, and if any of you east coast guys make a trip up the Tombigbee from the gulf to the Tennessee River, they are a great resource and easy to work with. Experienced and professional in their approach. They have excellent marine service here.
I think if I were to say I had a surprise, it is the general feeling you get on this boat that things are extremely well thought out. You know that based upon other owner comments, but it kind of hits you as you work your way around the boat. As many do, I read discussions from owners of older versions of the 38, and it seems that almost everything that is brought up, has been addressed in more recent vintages. I am sure that over the coming years, as new boats are produced, there will be changes that we might find would improve our boats, but sitting here now, I just can’t imagine what.
Perhaps we will see some changes in the electrical systems and the electronics, due to the accelerating changes we see in the marine pleasure boat market in that particular discipline. Those would be relatively easy to “keep up with” if we so desire, I guess.
Helmsman43 received his boat this week in Virginia. He and I have talked and he has echoed some of my comments. His 43 is custom with one state room. He has a WD in the master head, and there is more room in there and the shower than the traditional 43E. I will be up there in a couple of weeks and am looking forward to seeing the layout. The pictures he has sent me are really neat.
He stayed on my boat for four days, slept on the settee in the salon, and that arrangement worked great. It really becomes two separate areas for sleeping, and works well for that.
One thing I might suggest to all owners is to “move in slow”. There will always be a punch list on a new boat, and tradesmen will need to be aboard to address them. While most of that will happen during the orientation period, there may be parts that need ordering, and work scheduled. We “slowed our roll” to accommodate that, and I am glad we did. But, due to that, my bride won’t allow pictures until we get the interior where she wants it.
I had to put off the ceramic, and have contracted with a highly respected detailer at our next port to get her ready for it. I thought I would be able to get that done earlier, while I am here at AY, but the electronics install has taken up more time than I thought it would. Surprise, surprise!
She will be home soon!
