Archive
A New Chapter
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SOLD – SOLD – SOLD – SOLD
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While I don’t think one can ever top the 20 years of fun and memories we had with The Pink Flamingo but it was time for something different. And I guess everything really does happen for a reason. The Pink Flamingo sold partially because I forgot my computer and ended up having to drive all the way back to the marina last Sunday. So in a blinding rush The Pink Flamingo sold on Monday and after doing some last minute things and moving our personal stuff off it so Mike could start staying on it I was beat physically and emotionally.
So Tuesday morning I opened up Craigslist and what do I see for the second ad except a cute trailerable houseboat. It had just been posted 20 minutes prior. It’s right in the middle size wise between the 18′ Too Cute and the 34′ Pink Flamingo boats. Big enough to stay on for a week yet still 8′ wide for trailering. After showing the ad to Tammy she really liked it and said call him and give the man his money. So that night we drove 90 minutes up to Globe and got there just after dark but the boat looked solid enough and the price was right. The owner Rich was a really nice guy and they had put a 6 cylinder Mercruiser 165 HP motor and Alpha outdrive on it and had done some other work. It of coarse needs lots of work but is gutted and a blank slate so that really peaked our interest since we felt we did such a good job with The Pink Flamingo and our 1958 Camper.
So after sleeping on it we offered up the owner his asking price and a little more if he would trailer it down to our place. He was good friends with the manager at the local Big O Tires so we arranged for 4 new tires and some grease put in the hubs to make the trip safer and they even went up to his house and changed the tires there. On Thursday night Rich and his wife brought it down the mountain from Globe and said it trailered great.
The really funny thing is as he pulled up I finally noticed that the color of the trim stripe and the floor is guess it…….PINK! I guess it was just meant to be. And I think it just has to be named after the Flamingo and the pink kept so maybe it will be The Pink Flamingo 2, The Pink Flamingo 1/2, Baby Flamingo, or as Tammy suggested The Fledgling Flamingo.
So we are now the proud owners of a gutted 1971 Sea Lander 25′ houseboat and trailer. Yet another project to put on our list but I’m sure it’s going to be awesome.
Although on a downside we are now going to be Weekend Slip Squatters we used to complain about as marina members. LOL
And a quick video tour of the boat.
Goodbye Old Friend
It’s hard waking up without one of my best friends for almost 20 years. She has always been there for me through the good and the bad and has introduced me to so many wonderful people that are still great friends. She has been a bit costly and high maintenance through the years but worth every penny for all of the great times and great friendships we have made. She has only left us stranded a handful of times and it was usually either at a bar or with plenty of friends and booze which isn’t all bad. And even looking like hell she didn’t scare away Tammy on our second date and Dixie I think immediately fell in love with her. The Pink Flamingo will be forever missed and can never be replaced. I think both of us looked sad as I left her last night for the final day as her owner.
Quick Video of The Pink Flamingo
Here’s a quick video I made of The Pink Flamingo. Sorry for the poor quality but it’s the first video I’ve tried making but it should give you a good overview of the boat.
Some of the main features of the boat are:
1.) 34′ houseboat with 6′ swim platform for a total length of 40′. Beam (width) is 13′-2 or so.
2.) Everything works. We just had it out the other weekend with 10 people on board and easily could have put another 10 or 15 on board.
3.) Completely remodeled. This is one of the nicest most comfortable boat you will find in the under 40′ range.
4.) A true Queen size bed to sleep on. No being cramped in a v-bearth or aft cabin on this boat.
5.) The back cabin with the bed, bathroom, and kitchen is air conditioned with a built in marine air conditioning system so you DON’T have to worry about tripping over an RV type air conditioner that mounts through the top deck like many in this size range. The upper cabin with the bar we have never needed to air condition because we honestly open up the front windows and the top hatch and leave them open the entire time we are at the boat and it’s always worked best that way.
6.) UNIQUE SUBMERSIBLE SWIM PLATFORM. THAT’S RIGHT JUST LIKE THE LARGE YACHTS YOU CAN LOWER THE SWIM PLATFORM IN THE WATER TO SIT ON IT, SWIM OFF IT, LAUNCH YOUR PADDLEBOARD, OR LET YOUR DOGS HAVE A COMFORTABLE PLACE TO SWIM FROM.
7.) Inside rear cabin area is 11′-2 wide by about 18′ long. Queen size bed, leather couch with dual recliners, kitchen, large fridge, large bathroom with 36″x34″ shower, and electric flush toilet. Again you won’t find anything with near as much room or setup as nicely as this boat.
8.) Upper area is 9’4 wide by 8′-4 long with a bar and lots of storage.
9.) Inside headroom is 6′-1 or higher.
10.) Top deck is 11′-8 wide by 18′ long. Lots of room to hang out with dual lounges that our friends love to sleep on.
11.) Single inboard engine with volvo outdrive. Runs great.
12.) No generator. We’ve never really needed one and if we do then I have just used a portable honda one that I use on the front deck.
13.) Pretty much everything comes with it. All the furniture both inside and on the top deck. Life jackets, swim floats, bedding, pots, pans, dishes, you name it. Literally jump on and go.
14.) Unique back shade sail and supports that can handle a hammock across the back swim platform. It’s where you’ll find me most afternoons if we are not in the water.
15.) No trailer. You’re not going to trailer a boat this size yourself and you probably only have to pull it out every 5 years or so for routine maintenance. Most things including the water pump can be done while in the water which is nice.
And a few more pictures of this great boat.
Stern as seen from the other dock.
Aluminum deck swim platform where back 3 feet can be lowered into the water. Hammock as well as built in misters makes this my favorite napping spot.
Graphics on Port side.
Close up of graphics on port side.
Close up of second set of graphics on port size
Port side
Bow area with room for a couple chairs.
Starboard side
Steps inside the front door that lead to the top deck.
Helm area
Bar next to the helm area.
2nd fridge in the upper cabin by bar area.
Lower cabin with steps, large storage cabinet, and main fridge.
Kitchen area with double sink and lots of storage.
Another view of the kitchen area
More storage next to the kitchen.
Built in workstation area and LED monitor. Storage bins for clothes and closet area to the far left.
Lots of windows to see out.
Queen size bed that is over the engine are. Again lots of windows really makes it roomy.
Bed and couch area. All windows in the lower cabin have pull down RV style blinds also.
Leather type couch with dual recliners.
More storage and an area underneath the table that has our dog bed for our 60 lb dog.
Door into bathroom area.
Large bathroom with vessel bowl sink. Storage behind mirror and storage bins to the right.
Large 34″x36″ shower.
Nice porcelain electric head.
Steps going to the top cabin with curtain to close it off.
Loungers on upper deck for more sleeping spots and hanging out.
Table with freshwater tank underneath it.
Full size gas grill.
Shade sail over hammock and swim platform.
View of the hatch that slides back to close off the top deck.
Another view of the recliners and all the storage room underneath it for your pool floats and such.
Beautiful sunrise from the swim platform.
And here’s a bunch of pictures from when it was last out of the water and we launched it in June of 2012. You can see how great of condition the boat is in and how solid the swim platform is built.
The Pink Flamingo in Arizona 