Depressed! The Bertram is going up for sale

Bertramdriver

Bertramdriver

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www.williamsandsmithells.com
:disgust: i always said I'd keep her going as long as I was no danger to other Mariners, but a combination of arthritis and uncertain mental faculties mean my clock is running down faster than I hoped. So I've given in to SWMBO and agreed to put her up for sale. What really winds me up is that I've just finished all of the on going upgrades and she's in better nick now than when I bought her, so some other lucky sod is going to get the best out of her.
If there's a moral to all this it is to make the most of what you have, whilst you have it and never sacrifice today in favour of tomorrow.
If you're interested
http://www.williamsandsmithells.com/used-boat/?Make=Bertram&Model=42&BoatID=5091586
 
Jon,

sad to hear, surely you have a truckload of nice memories (either travelling or repairing) to enjoy and look back to...
don't forget it's the process and not only the destination that's valuable on whatever you do, at least that's what I keep saying myself ;)

cheers

V.
 
Hi Vas. Sorry we never made it up to Volos and shared a beer, but the Meltemi turned the trip into the hardest and scariest crossing we ever had. So Lavrion was as far as we got. Still it was exciting (SWMBO was less enthusiastic but uncharacteristicly silent whilst hanging on for grim death). My only regret is that I started late in life having sacrificed my youth, vigour and intellect to the multi nationals. Still, you're right, the memories are magic.
Keep up with the project and more strength to your arm.
 
PCUK said:
Get something smaller that won't do so much damage when mishandled. Save you a few bob in running costs too. That's what I did!
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I've thought about that route a lot, but I don't enjoy UK based boating and do enjoy heat and sun (keeps the arthritis at bay), plus I like a bit of comfort. I think that if she hasn't sold in two years I'll blackmail my future son in law to come down and help me take the lid off. Once I do that the air draft drops by nearly 1.5 metres, making the French canals a realistic proposition and I can teach him to drive her. Always wanted a Captain/chauffeur.
 
I think there may be a sequel to "A Bertram, the Aegean and Two Virgins" as life in the Ionian seems to be equally chaotic. We'll probably call it "A Betram let loose in the Ionian" I already have a few chapters worth of stuff on the Russian PanzerCats and homocidal charterers.
I'll be starting on it after I publish my full length novel around Christmas. So watch out for "Phoenix Bay" a tale of love death and destiny set in the lower Cyclades.
I'll let you know when it goes up on Kindle.
All the best and I trust there's more light in your life now.
 
Bertramdriver said:
If there's a moral to all this it is to make the most of what you have, whilst you have it and never sacrifice today in favour of tomorrow.
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My favourite quote on the subject: 'You do unfortunately need 3 important things [to go boating]. They are: Time, money and health. And.. you need them all at the same time. Some of us never get those precious 3 things at the same time. Others have them but don't realize how fleeting they are...'

Thanks for the advice you gave me a while back Betramdriver. I hope you find a way to stay in the sun and on the water.
 
Few more jobs finished today with smart new black glass switches and sockets now adorning the galley. All of the electrical bugs have been ironed out and the description quirky no longer applies.
It's so frustrating seeing the boat coming up to its best because it's up for sale, when we've spent 12 years driving a DIY depot around the Greek seas. But we've had some fun and I suppose if anyone chooses to buy her, they'll have just as much of a good time.
Funny how life turns out isn't it
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This is of course the Australian version. I've got now idea how to invert the pic. Sorry
 

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Hi Jon,
Thanks for the advice last year on my Saronic gulf trip.
We had a fantastic time and are chartering the same boat ( Windy 53 Balios) again for this summer ( 3 weeks this time!).
Read your book- hilarious and of course lots of the places were familiar.
We visited Poros, Hydra, Spetses, Elafanisos, Vathi, Kithera and many more places. Had a few hiccups ourselves!
This year we are planning to cruise the Ionian- leaving Athens heading through the Corinth canal stopping at Kefalonia to see some friends at Argostili then North to Megannisi and around there.
Any tips on nice (quiet) harbours and anchorages for this trip would be very welcome especially on the way to Kefalonia .
We seem to be following your footprint, so thought would ask for advice.
Stuart
 
Hi Stuart. Glad to hear you're enjoying yourself and the book gave you a laugh or two. My suggestion would be not to rush through the Corinthian Sea. There are lots of differing opinions on Corinth but we enjoyed it so much we stayed for four days participating in the street festival. A real jewel is Galaxhidi, a useful midway stopover. Ignore Navipaktos, it's tiny and virtually impossible to get into. The next worthwhile stopover is Messelonghi, with a good Marina and a lively town. Then you're into the Inland Sea where anywhere is good if you can find a mooring.
There is a distinct difference in flavour between the Aegean and Ionian which we like. The Ionian is wetter, less windy but greener and cooler. It's also very crowded but hey, what do you expect. It's Greece. Have a good trip and our best wishes are with you.
 
Bertramdriver said:
It's so frustrating seeing the boat coming up to its best because it's up for sale...
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Bit like selling a house then. I spent 5 years living in a house with an absolutely grotty kitchen and put a new kitchen in so I could sell the place. Madness really but there you go.

Bertramdriver said:
This is of course the Australian version. I've got no idea how to invert the pic. Sorry
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If you have no easy way of manipulating pictures I suggest you give the free program "Irfanview" a try. I have used it for ten years. It loads instantly, works perfectly, and has never crashed my computers.

Good luck. Keep your pecker up.
 
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