Wow... been lusting after sailboats since boy scouts.

As a (wannabe) pirate that looks at 60 (the new 50), I took the plunge on the dark side and bought a 1984 Carver 3607. It wasn't without decades of looking, admiring, lusting...

Lust for the sailboat, but 'practicality' of the 'floating condo' won out. Yes, I regret burning the dinosaurs and would love a hybrid - solar and batteries would be great, realistic? Survey revealed some issues, and I have addressed the safety, bulbs. Lots to learn about AC DC strainers filters radios unlabeled switches and pull switches ...

The dock master, Earnie helped us move her into her new covered slip in Washington, NC. All the neighbors have been extremely welcoming. I immediately admitted to being an 'newbie' and was welcomed, although there were some hints of 'snipe hunt' and 'left-handed smoke shifter' over adult beverages at the dock.

Today, we took her out by ourselves - it was early, the wind was light, and we just had to do it for the first time. Got out of the slip well, progressing 15 mins in a no wake zone and the starboard engine alarm goes off - looks like low oil pressure, so, I turn her off. I forget to take her out of gear, but chalk that up to inexperience. Anyway, restart the starboard engine, and no problem after that, but watching the oil pressure gauge all the time. We test cruise for about an hour, do some backing and spinning on a dime to practice backing into a dock. Got her up on plane somewhere above
9 and then she seemed to jump to 14 without any more throttle - the gps is real old, but seemed to track knots well.

Made it back to dock without any issues, but the 'neighbors' were there to help with the lines if needed, but for the most part (with no wind or current), we managed by ourselves.

It felt wonderful!