Finding MAKA…

After two years of COVID delays, we attended the Annapolis boat show in both spring and fall of 2022. During the fall show, we had the opportunity to take a class taught by Jamie and Behan Gifford, the couple behind Sailing Totem . Their insights and expertise inspired us to wholeheartedly pursue our dream of becoming live-aboard cruisers.

In January of 2023, we decided to take our commitment to the next level by hiring Totem as consultants. Simultaneously, we joined numerous Facebook groups and yacht brokerage lists to immerse ourselves in the world of boat hunting. Despite having attended two boat shows and chartered newer vessels, we realized that our exposure to brand new boats had skewed our expectations. We needed to get on older boats to gain a more balanced perspective and reset our expectations.

In March of 2023, we headed to Florida with the intention of getting aboard several boats to better understand the range of ages and sizes that would fit within our budget. Our itinerary took us from Tampa to the Keys, then back up through Miami, hoping we could find a diverse selection of vessels. However, our initial impression was that many brokers appeared less than enthusiastic about showing us boats. We had been advised that having a broker was essential for being taken seriously, but it seemed that once other brokers knew we had representation, they were less inclined to share the commission.

Despite all of this, we were committed to navigating the complexities of the boat-buying process and finding a boat that would bring us closer to life on the water.

It felt like we were caught in a frustrating cycle. Although we had a good rapport with our broker, she was often situated far from the boats we actually wanted to view. She was able to schedule us one viewing in Tampa but the rest would be FSBO that we would manage on our own. Several months before our trip, I had connected with a family through a Facebook group dedicated to family cruising. They intended to sell their boat, Mala, once they reached the Keys, opting for a FSBO approach. On paper, their boat appeared to check all the boxes, except for one significant drawback—it was priced well above our budget. Nevertheless, we decided to include it in our itinerary.

Mala moored in Marathon, Florida.

Upon boarding Mala, we were somewhat underwhelmed. Given its condition and the steep price tag, which appeared to have been inflated, we left with a sense of disappointment. It was disheartening to be so close to finding what we wanted. On the bright side, we made some wonderful friends during the trip and knew we were leaving with a clearer outlook.

Subsequent boat visits didn't yield any better results. We. visited a 2006 Leopard 43 in Tampa, where we discovered half a foot of water pooling in one of the engine rooms, alongside a laundry list of other issues and an exorbitantly high asking price. Another visit took us to a 2003 Charter Cat Wildcat 350 in Fort Pierce. The owners were incredibly gracious, and the boat, given its age and price, was in relatively good condition. However, it became apparent that it would be too cramped for our family of four, not to mention the potential addition of Mimi, and others we hoped would visit.

We didn’t leave Mexico with a boat, but we did make some great memories.

In mid-May, our journey led us to Mexico, where we eagerly went under contract for an older Lagoon 410. Our excitement was tempered when we realized, halfway through the survey, that this particular vessel wasn't the right match for us. Despite this setback, we decided to make the most of our time in Mexico and headed to Isla Mujeres, where we relished a few days on the picturesque island.

As we looked for the silver lining in our boat search, one bright spot emerged. We had the pleasure of meeting our exceptional surveyor, Marga Pretorius, who quickly became a new friend. We can't speak highly enough of her professionalism and expertise, and we sincerely hope that our paths will cross again in the future. Marga made a lasting impression on us during our journey, and we are grateful for the connection we forged.

Two weeks after Mexico, I took a whirlwind trip to the Bahamas, spanning less than 24 hours. The purpose was to inspect two boats: an older Knysna and a Lagoon that had been meticulously rebuilt after suffering hurricane damage. The Knysna, a vessel I had been admiring for quite some time, came so close to meeting our criteria, but there were a few reservations. Its smaller cockpit area gave us concerns about potentially feeling cramped, and the presence of bathtubs in two of the rooms raised questions about the investment of time and money required to tailor it to our needs. Looking back, there are moments when I regret not making them an offer, as the family had diligently cared for it, making it a solid and reliable vessel. While it may have lacked in lounging space, it compensated with ample storage capacity. The dream of owning a Knysna still lingers. The hurricane-damaged Lagoon offered a contrasting perspective. On the surface, everything appeared new and pristine, but we harbored reservations about what might be concealed beneath the surface.

It was following this trip to the Bahamas that we made a bold decision: submit an offer on the Fountaine Pajot Orana (Mala) we had visited back in March.