Our main problem was that our boat was located a thousand miles away in another country. Which was exactly where we wanted her as she made a great winter home for our seasonal snow escapes from the harsh Canadian winters. But that left seven months during the spring, summer and fall that we were home here in Canada living comfortably in our "dirt house" while gazing over the deep blue waters of Georgian Bay. We longed to get out there. Something had to give.
We came up with a plan. We decided something on a trailer that we could tow to distant locales when desired and camp onboard would work. The shopping ensued.
We looked at several boats and even started to get distracted, looking at several big steel tugs that we loved but would require a ton of work. We love the old historic tug boats and they were tugging at our heart strings. Could we sell or rent the house and move back aboard? Which way should we go? All possibilities were open.
We were considering all options when I found it - a little quiet personal ad online reading "Tug for Sale". Upon investigation I learned she was twenty-two feet long, on a trailer, with a little two cylinder diesel engine. Jeff was skeptical but I convinced him to add her to the list of boats to look at. It couldn't hurt to just look, right?
As we approached the marina, driving over an overpass and looking down at the small collection of boats docked, there she was. She was hard to miss! Fire engine red and CUTE as a button. I was intrigued! Jeff rolled his eyes.
We met the owner and he gave us the tour. It didn't take long. She was aluminum, so lightweight enough to be easily towable, with a wooden cabin on top. She had a comfy pilot house with access doors on each side and the cutest little brass portholes and adorable imported brass steering wheel from Scotland. Below in the tiny cabin was the engine, a head in the corner and a single berth. I quickly started to plan how we could build it into a double. She even had adorable wee little tires hanging over the side to serve as fenders. Just like a real tug! It was love at first sight for me!
The owner asked if we'd like to take it out. My head immediately started to bob up and down but as I looked over at Jeff, expecting to see my excitement reflected, his head was shaking in a different direction. He agreed to come along IF I drove, which I did. She putted along determinedly and had a kick-ass air horn that commanded the respect she deserved! (In my opinion, anyway.)
Back in the car I excitedly asked Jeff what he thought. She checked all the boxes - on a trailer, we could weekend on her, and best of all, she was cheap! He reluctantly agreed and volunteered to negotiate with the owner (as that's kind of his thing).
Likely with an ulterior motive in mind, Jeff threw out a low-ball offer and to his surprise - and my delight - the guy immediately accepted it. Whew-hoo!! Just like that, she was mine!
And to boot, I had somehow convinced Jeff to give me a hand with the mechanics and towing.
Meet our new family member, Lillie May:
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