Greeting from the future crew of Eaux Vives. Our offer to buy his boat was accepted today by the boats current owner and master.

Eaux Vives is: a 40' Beneteau Moorings 405 built in 1995, offered for sale at US$ 99,000 and located in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. It is made of fiberglass with a 50 HP Diesel engine The builder is Beneteau and it was designed by Group Finot. Moorings boats come out of charter after 5 years and are available in great numbers on the used boat market.

Dimensions:
 LOA: 39' 4" LWL: 34' 11" Beam: 12' 10"
Displacement::
 14,000 lbs
Draft: 5' 6"
Bridge Clearance: 51' 4"
Ballast: iron
Engine: Single 2001 Volvo Penta Engine HP: 50 Model: MD221-BT
Hours: 410
Cruising Speed: 7 knots @ 2500 rpm Max Speed: 8 knots @ 3500 rpm
Tankage
Fuel: 44 gals Water: 126 gals (2 tanks) Holding: 30 gals (2 tanks)

As there are no actual pump out stations in the BVI, the latter are probably unused.

Pictures available here.

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This is the same kind of boat we chartered in the BVI when we were there with Karl and Emma and their S. O.'s, so we are familiar with the boat. It sails well and as the sails are all new, we expect to have quite good time sailing. It has quite a comfortable pullman berth for the master/mistress of the ship and two aft cabins for guests (which we clearly hope to have). The large galley runs down the port side of the salon and there is a nice table with seats to port. The cockpit is roomy with teak benches and a table. There is a lovely swimming platform with hot and cold shower on the transom with ladder to get in and out of the water.

It comes with a dinghy and motor and is equipped with good ground tackle and windless and the general amenities of a caribbean charter.

The final closing price was $82,500 to which we must add the costs of haul out, survey and any must-make repairs. Today we faxed off the official offer and made the deposit of 10% by wire transfer. We are going down for the inspection in a week and a half. We hope to just stay on the boat when we get there and begin the adventure while doing paperwork and outfitting. This will be at the sufferance of the current owner until the deal is done.

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The broker, a suitably plumy Brit, who goes by the melodious name of Bungie Flynn, works for BVI Yacht Sales LTD. He has been most helpful and patient with us. Naturally we are quite excited and slightly nervous about what we have done. Everyone assures us that we won't regret it and, as mid-life crises go, this is a fairly mild case.

We now must speed of our fix up and declutter of the house. Emma has agreed to rent out rooms to cover the cost of the house and will pay bills and keep the home fires burning. Tom is willing to keep Tilden Park Software running for the next year and we still have hopes that the industry will revive and we will be able to come back slip into our comfortable role as a Tilden Park Rangers. Meanwhile, we get to miss a nasty little war and recession and bob about in tropical waters while the world comes to its (dollars and) senses. I intend to rig up email on the boat so we can stay in touch. Email over High Frequency Radio is fairly slow so don't send big attachments or get me on any junk mail lists. Until you hear from us, email remains lance@tildenpark.com and susie@accidentalcruiser.com

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