Getting Started

Similar to the housing market, the boat market is crazy. Buyers are at distinct disadvantage as to availability, negotiations, and timing.  Captain Tom, well researched in boats, was set on a Back Cove. To find a relatively newer one, equipped as desired, took time and several failed deals. Finally "the one" was located in Bristol, Rhode Island, for which we had to act fast and buy sight unseen, a scary undertaking. The plan was to truck her down to Dunedin, Florida and take possession there, mid October 2021. Unfortunately, with all the trucking issues, February 2022 became the new October possession date.  We rented a car, packed everything we could, and drove to Florida on the heels of an ice storm to see what we bought 4 months prior. 

I(cy)-75

In Dunedin, we stayed at a the Meranova Guest Inn.  The Inn was in downtown Dunedin, easy walking distance to restaurants and cute boutique stores.  

Meranova Guest Inn

 During our stay at the inn, and while we had use of the rental car, we commissioned our Prime 11.

Storing all this stuff was like playing a giant game of Tetris!

Dunedin is a great little Florida town, near the much larger and busier Clearwater Beach. It is the home of the Toronto Blue Jays for spring training, delayed this year, hence no games during our visit. The Pinellas Trail, a 39 mile long bike and pedestrian trail, bisects downtown Dunedin.  Along the trail, and within Dunedin, are a surprising number of breweries, including Dunedin Brewery which is Florida's oldest microbrewery. Dunedin is also home to Honeymoon State Park, Florida's #1 state park.  The weather was so wet and cold while we were there, we never ventured out the causeway to see it.

We enjoyed Dunedin. Experienced some wonderful meals, visited with some friends, watched the Bengals in the Super bowl and returned our rental car (thanks to Maura and Richard Johnson for being our Uber!).  

Friends from home! Let's go Bengals!

Now we are ready for the inaugural first trip, to one of our favorite marinas...Longboat Key Moorings.

Cheers to calm seas and clear skies!