We have been home in NZ one week this morning, Monday. Setting down at Auckland Airport from San Fran. at 5.30am is rather obscene. We had to wait for the transfer vehicle to take us the parking lot where our vehicle had been stored for the month we were in the USA. It was funny driving on 'the other side' of the road again. Have to be vigilant at intersections in particular!

Having hunted for the 'right' boat for us for the past year (at least), we had made an offer on a 57' Vantare, in Eastern Florida. After a little negotiation, this being the second time we were offering on this vessel, they accepted our offer, subject to all the normal surveys , first hand viewings etc.
This, of course, necessitated a flight to Florida and enough time to get all the surveys done and any work needed to make her further seaworthy for us, if necessary. We budgeted for a month.

Two weeks after the offer was accepted, we were on an Air NZ plane to San Francisco.  From there to Tampa/St Petersburg, via Denver. Lucky for us the cold front hadn't come through yet, and the ground at Denver was clear (no snow, as there was a week later). We had paid for an extra bag all the way, at great expense, but this bag was to stay on the boat, when we eventually were in a position to put it there.

I had insisted on a whole day in Tampa to get over the flight and to get our bearings. I didn't want to be driving whilst 'hung over' from the flight. Having arrived in Tampa at 1 am Tuesday morning, it was a good thing we did take time out.
We try to stay at Hampton Inns when we are in the USA. Free breakfast and WIFI, along with consistent service, reasonable rates and decent beds are just a few of the reasons. The Tampa Airport Hampton Inn was no exception. Warren had discovered make-your-own waffles in the breakfast room last time we were in the US, 2010, so of course that was his delight for breakfast that morning.

The Hotel was within easy walking distance of two malls, so our twice daily walks were to the mall where we reacquainted ourselves with US brands and made a couple of essential purchases.
Wednesday, we collected our rental car from the airport. We had upgraded to a Nissan Maxima from a Chevy Impala, and this car was almost brand new. Hmm...How to start it??? No key hole, just a button which didn't start the car because I obviously wasn't doing something right. Foot on brake solved that problem..duh!
This was more like driving a spaceship. Having had older vehicles in the past 7 yrs, this car was another ball game. It took me a day or two to find all the bells and whistles, but all the things I needed to know we found in the first ten mins. Lovely to drive and with the much needed capacious trunk space for our three large suitcases and hand luggage which included two laptop computers.  One of which was to stay on the boat, eventually.

With our trusty GPS leading the way, we spent the next three hours on State Hwy 60 across the state from Tampa to Stuart, just south of Port St. Lucie, on the  mid-Atlantic East Coast of Florida. The yacht club in Stuart was where we were to view the boat. We were also to meet our boat broker Len Garofoli, owner of Pier One Yacht Sales, Punta Gorda, FL, for the first time. We both felt as if we were old friends, having worked so closely for the past 8 months, though always by telephone. We really cannot say enough good things about the support and service and also friendship we received from Len. Later we got to know some of the other brokers in his office who appear equally dedicated.

We met the present owners of the Vantare before going to view her for the first time. She was immaculately groomed, and everything we had seen in the many photos. This was a boat we had kept coming back to when our search was frustrated by other less suitable motor yachts. This was to be our home for the next couple of years, after all. She had to be as close to perfect as possible, given the budget.

We agreed that our visual of her was sufficient to go ahead with an Engine and Hull Survey the following day.  The Engineer and Hull surveyor were on stand-by should we need them.
Thursday morning dawned bright and beautiful. Temps were in the early 20's C, and humidity was low. Just perfect for us.
The Motel the previous night was another matter, however. Upon entering the motel room, the smell just about knocked us over. Mould! It was late and we were dog tired, so didn't complain, though it didn't please us. I spent the night with  increasing difficulty breathing and developed a nasty cough. The putrid, toxic air being belched into the room all night by the aircon unit, stung my nostrils. Warren slept like a baby as usual, though he was troubled by the smell. I felt very ill the next day, and the prospect of another night in those surroundings was not possible. We checked out after eating a breakfast that left a lot to be desired, with a Latino breakfast cook who insisted on singing and dancing his way around the dining room.

We had to be at the Marina at 8 am for the Survey to begin. We arrived with things already under way.
I spent the next 45 mins with the owners, going over their records of 'everything'. A delightful couple, they are selling due to unfortunate health problems. In the meantime,Warren, Len and the Engineers were deep in the bowels of the boat.
Len appeared at the Salon door and asked to borrow me for a few minutes. We walked onto the dock, the three of us, and took a stroll. The news was devastating. The boat hull seeping water between the outer fibreglass layers and the inner core material. Something we hadn't expected, however some stains on the interior finishes and the smell of mould in the master cabin made sense too now. Any boat will have some degree of mould on the inside. It is just how it is with boats.
The decision was made to call a halt to further investigation. The Engineers had also found some issues that would need immediate attention. None of which were inexpensive.
So, one hour in, the surveyors packed up and left. We had a detailed discussion with the sellers broker and our offer was withdrawn. We had a short time to say our farewells to an emotional seller, and were back to square one.
We feel badly for the sellers who need to be rid of this boat so that they can get medical treatment on land, and take care of themselves. We hope their Insurance Company will become involved.

This photo of Warren was taken prior to checking out another vessel in Merritt Island.