METAL MATCHMAKER
The DeKochs talked a lot about the realities of owning and maintaining a boat built of metal. Conversations with a number of brokers, builders, and boatyards did not convince them one way or the other as it seemed mostly a matter of opinion. Bob, being in the construction business, ultimately decided the advantages of steel outweighed the maintenance issues.
Months later, Bob was leafing through a boating magazine and came across an ad for a 1993 Moonen 58, listed by Berthon, an English brokerage firm. The boat was in England and was in the hands of its fifth owner. The price was too high, but Bob stayed in touch with the broker. When the price dropped, Bob stopped to see the Moonen in England. In December of 2013, he made an acceptable offer, and after Debbie saw the boat and gave it her blessing, the purchase was completed.
While the boat was being prepared for transport from Southampton, they had to choose a boatyard in the U.S. to do the refit. Bob and Debbie suddenly became their own project managers. They talked to a number of yards in Fort Lauderdale, but they were more interested in megayacht projects. Palmer Johnson in Sturgeon Bay was a possibility, but they were mainly involved in construction of new boats. Their location in Wisconsin would also prevent shipping until the opening of the Great Lakes.
Finally, a referral from Annapolis broker Jeffrey White led them to Deltaville Boatyard in Virginia. After speaking on the phone with Deltaville’s owner, Keith Ruse, they made an appointment to visit and discuss the refit project. After meeting with Keith and his experienced staff, Deltaville was the clear and obvious choice.
The Moonen would ship to Virgina for her refit, and after the boat was unloaded in Baltimore, Keith and his crew took the boat down to Virginia on her own bottom. The DeKochs met them at the yard and the next morning there were four inches of snow on the deck. The project began immediately.
The mechanical service completed by Deltaville included complete maintenance on the twin MAN diesels, replacement of all heat exchangers, hoses, water pumps, engine mounts, and servicing of the Onan generator. Fuel tanks were drained and cleaned and the entire bilge was repainted. New Glendenning engine controls were fitted.