Guys,<br>Don't laugh at this 'cause I'm being about as serious as I possibly can, without biting my entire lower lip off.<br>My father-in-law (FIL), age 76, full of P&amp;V, and relatively sound of mind and body, has a desire to spend some time (3 -4 months) on a tug boat or intercoastal vessel to learn more about sailing and navigating vessels throughout various waterways. The fact that he is in the middle of purchasing an ex-Canadian Coast Guard 128 foot light ship has absolutely nothing to do with his decision, nor the fact that the ship is 1800 miles from here.<br>He wasn't drunk or smoking dope. He is serious. I guess when you can't get your weight over 125 lbs in a soaking wet peacoat, therefore barring you from the military, he has something to prove.<br>He is willing to go anywhere and pay his own way, just to learn more about things that float in water and how they work. Granny has already said she will chip in some money just to get him wherever he's going.<br>I would like to see him be able to do this. Is it a dream, probably, but it's something that he really wants to do. The fact that he's a member of the Coast Guard Auxillary, I think, enforces his desire.<br>Fishcop and any others that work the rivers and intercoastal areas, I would appreciate any and all help on this request.<br>We talk about fairy tales starting with &quot;Once upon a time&quot; and sea stories starting with &quot;This is a no s**t&quot;, this is a real time request.<br>I couldn't dream up something like this even if I wanted to.<br><br>shortround out

 

I say Have at it! Never too old to realize your dream. You only go around this old world once so you need to make the best of it.<br><br> If I can help out in any way let me know!<br><br> Sends him a wish for the wind in his sails, and a bright star to steer her by!

 

Top,<br>Of all the wild **** ideas he's ever come up with, this one is the most sincere. I'd love to see him be able to do it.<br>I'm hoping that Fishcop, NWDave, and or some of the others might be able to do something for him. Besides, he don't cook too bad.<br><br>shortround out

 

He's old enouph to sail if he want's to see the world, but a decomissioned government vessel is the last thing I would want to get stranded on. Maybe you could encourage his new hobby by helping him shop for something reliable, it'll keep him home longer.

 

Boy, this is a tough one. There's not much I can really do to help. I don't have any nautical connections and being on the west coast is also prohibitive. I'm with Top on this one. Go for it. You can only go around life once and if you don't follow your dreams, you'll regret it for failing to try. I'd do everything possible to help him along the way. I haven't gotten to that point in life yet, but when I get there, I hope to have support. You may be the best morale support he's gonna get.<br><br>~Dave

 

Red,<br>He's already brought a '61 Chriscraft (52 footer) from Ft. Lauderdale to Little Rock. It took him 8 days. Can't say he doesn't have the spunk. As to the decommissioned vessel, the old Fairbanks 7 cyl engines have only a couple hundred hours on them since overhaul.<br>This will be his third boat. Also, he is hard headed enough that once he sets his mind on something, he's gonna do it, just to prove he can. When I get to his age, I hope I have as much spunk as he does.<br>As to his spending more time at home, by him being gone for a couple of months would give Granny a chance to clear out a bunch of the &quot;great deals&quot; that has accumulated in their back yard.<br>He would never be satisified with just being a passenger on any vessel. He reminds me of some old first shirts &quot;I'm gonna be in charge&quot; attitude.<br>Besides, it's no worse than me planning on being on the crew of an almost 60 years old former US WW2 diesel electric submarine that a number of submarine veterans are planning on sailing from Turkey to Little Rock, under her own power at that. We're planning on getting around 25 gallons per mile on the 6000 mile trip. Gonna take 25-30 days. We'll smell like diesel fuel, smoke, and fermented armpits for at least a month after we get back. Will end up using Old Spice by the gallon just to be able to get within 50 feet of people. 30 days without a bath or shaving!!!! It's been a long time since I've done that. Feeling a bit of a hormonal imbalance coming on as I speak and think about that trip.<br><br>shortround out

 

You didn't say how is financial condition was, but has he figured out where he's going dock it, and what the fees are for a 128 ft. vessel, how he's going to feed and maintain the engine(s), and the rest of the systems, insurance? Do you need a special rating to operate a vessel of this size? If you want to sail the world, you can do it in something much smaller (1/3), less expensive, easier and cheaper to maintain and dock. This sounds like one giant hole in which he's going to pour his assests into. Personally, I'd angle him in another direction. Everyone is right, you only go around once, but at 76, it's a little late to learn and recover from potential mistakes.