I got in contact with John during escrow because my boat broker wouldn't call me back, which was prolonging the process. All the paperwork was completed and signed but we were just waiting for the keys. (I have an interesting theory on why he was dragging escrow out, but more on that later). Since my dad is a real estate agent, he likes to make up his own rules... he decided to sidestep the broker and contact the owner directly, because he found John's phone number on our contract papers. As my dad dialed John's number, I was praying my dad wouldn't say anything to upset John (he has a tendency to upset people). My dad had already tried to help me negotiate the price of the boat down, more than I was comfortable with, so I was even expecting a little push back from John on the phone. To my surprise, their conversation was sweet, they both seemed happy to talk to one another. My dad was explaining how this is my first boat purchase and asked if John could show me around the boat himself when he got to town.
I was set to meet John early one morning. When we saw the boat before, we saw there was a walker on board, so we looked around for an old man with a walker when we arrived. And sure enough, that's what we found. He seemed to have a sort of southern accent, despite having grown up in Arizona. We spent a few hours with him, while he showed us tricks and tips around the boat. Things that only 13 years of experience can teach you. My mom and I were rampantly writing everything he said down on paper. Most of the boat lingo he was using made no sense to us. I figured, we could go back and try to make sense of the notes later. John was the kindest old man. He explained how he loved the boat more than any of his three wives. He took good care of it. He sat down on his recliner and told us stories about his life. He owned his own successful business. His first wife died whom he had his own children with. His second wife, inhered a daughter from a sister who passed, and John told me that the way she treated the girl was what caused them to separate. His second wife was mean to the girl and didn't want to raise her, so John got custody of her and raised her all by himself. He met his third wife way later, a young pretty girl he said, who ended up divorcing him 3 months in and taking all his money. He seemed sad when reflecting on this, saying how he was stupid to believe a girl like that could have really loved him.
He went on with memories he had on the boat, which he named "Happy Day" but spelled it "Happy Da." Something about an inside joke with his kids, which is why the "y" got left out. He would say "happy day" to every person who walked by, so that phrase was definitely his thing.
I learned that John was very creative--he sewed all the boat curtains himself and even was into basketweaving as a hobby. When we were first looking at the boat, in one of the cupboards, we found bags and bags of what looked like rotten limes. He told us that they were not limes, but walnuts still in their shells. He uses them to boil and stain the baskets with, so they have a walnut wood color when they are finished. Very interesting!!!
He left back to Arizona, and would check in with me once a week to make sure I was taking good care of his beloved boat. He would tell me how much he missed being on the boat and out in California. I would ask advice on things that would arise on the boat, if something wasn't working, and he would light up with delight to be able to help me figure it out. He told me he loved helping me with boat things, because it made him still feel connected to the boat. Of all the kinds of people I saw selling boats during my journey here, I am so grateful I ended up getting paired with John. He has so much wisdom and knowledge to share with me, and he doesn't make me feel like I am bothering him with my questions. I feel very happy.
<- John and I at the bow.
<- John showing me some baskets he weaved.
Comments