I haven't left a message in a long time, but I thought I'd update you on our efforts to move aboard. Last November we bought a 1979 Tucker; 50 ft. , Aluminum, twin diesel. She is a displacement hulled, HB/Cruiser suitable for the Great Loop and the Bahamas, with some weather consideration. Name Skippy V

Skippy V is in the process of being documented; home port: Wilmington, DE, and we are in the process of establishing our residency in Livingston, TX. We will be full-time, traveling, liveaboard HBers.

During the process of documentation, we found that the boat was actually built in 1969, so we are having a strong conversation with the attorney who handled the sale.

She has spent the Winter at Kentucky Lake Marine being refitted. We had to completely strip her interior in several place to replace some rot and make a lot of consessions on the materials that we could use to re-fit her. But, she is coming together beautifully. She is also being re-painted to the deck, more would have been done, but the weather wasn't suitable.

Skippy V goes back in the water in the middle of April and will be in birth E72 at Paris Landing Marina until at least August. I will move aboard then to finish the paint job and make her home. Hubby will spend all his vacation time onboard upgrading the electronics and learning to move this boat around. The plan is to begin traveling after he retires later this year. We still plan on being in Decatur for Thanksgiving, Pirate.

We, in the meantime, have spent the Winter divesting ourselves of our six horses and their equipment, and sorting stuff in preparation for a sale or auction. We have sold all our properties, but the house and 10 acres we live in. We are way off schedule on this, as the house was to go on the market in April (another reason hubby has to stay on longer - his packrat habit).

Also, we have used the time to take advantage of Coast Guard courses offered in our area. So, we know a little more about boating at least. Still a long way to go on this, thank Goodness, for internet courses.

So, if you happen to be in the Kentucky Lake area, please drop by Skippy V and intoduce yourself. Just don't be surprised if I hand you a piece of sandpaper along with a refreshment and a smile.

I'm looking forward to corresponding more with others who are doing this and will be glad to share our experience with anybody who's thinking of it.

Lynn, First Mate and Admiral of the Skippy V