[Rhodes22-list] What to do...what to do?

[TN Rhodey]

About a month ago the transmission on my 94 S10 Blazer started acting up. I 
purchased the vehicle used in 97 and it has about 230K miles. The 
transmission was rebuilt 100K or so miles ago and it was getting ready to 
go. I also needed new tires, brakes (with rotors), AC work (at worse vacuum 
leak, maybe compressor). After I got all of that fixed i would still have a 
motor with 230K miles. All in all way more than I wanted to spend on my old 
truck.

So I traded in and I am now driving a 2005 , 2 Door 5 speed Civic Ex. This 
is my third Honda and second Civic. What a great little car! I am getting 
about 37 MPG in town running AC. I am used to driving my old Blazer or even 
older 84 Mitsubishi Pickup.  The Civic is fun to drive and quite peppy. I am 
saving about $130 a month in gas! So far so good.

Now I have to make a decision about tow vehicle replacement. My beater 
pickup is a 4 banger and in no way capable of safely towing my R22. It can 
tow my Bantam just fine. So decisions time…..

Option 1…..instead of buying tow vehicle I could sell my R22 and purchase a 
sailboat in the 28 – 30 foot range. I already pay slip fees year round and 
it is $35 more monthly for larger slip. I realize haulout, bottom jobs, 
sails and so on are all more exspensive. We are not towing the R22 at all 
now. If I get the urge for new horizons we have free unlimited (other than 
time) access to my Uncle’s 35 foot Pearson in Cocoa FL.  We cruised up the 
SE coast last summer and are just lacking time to put together next cruise. 
Most likely destinations are Bahamas or the Keys. Of course if my Uncle ever 
decides to sell his Pearson this option goes away.

Option 2 ……Keep my R22, sell my 84 pickup, take my time and look for a good 
used truck for projects and towing. As gas and the cost of maintaining 
dedicated tow vehicle keep going up this option is becoming less attractive.

Option 3 (most likely)….Keep my R22, keep my 84 pickup and don’t purchase 
replacement tow vehicle. Use the money I save to get R22 painted, new 
breaker box, purchase all new cabin cushions and sails. Borrow or rent 
pickup for local haul out.

When I first purchased the R22 I was thinking I would tow more often. What I 
found is my local waters are so nice that we really haven’t had the desire 
to tow. The R22 has filled every need but we sleep on the boat a bunch.  I 
must admit more room inside would be nice. I am not going to rush into 
anything. The last thing I want to do is make a decsion that will cause me 
to actually sail less.

Any comments?

Wally