Sometimes you just meet someone who makes you go "SIGH"

And for us, it is this man, Walt Genske, owner of C & E Marine. 

I would be lying if I said that, at times, Scott and I don't feel completely overwhelmed with ALL the "stuff" we need to get done, accomplish, consider, learn about, decide on, and buy for the boat.  Then - there is all the "stuff" we don't know about, haven't considered, didn't think about, or just plain overlooked.  It is actually pretty bewildering.  And everyone (and I mean everyone) has ideas, opinions and input for us.  It is really hard to keep it all straight.

Then Walt Genske shows up.  And like a squeegee to a dirty window, he clears it all up.  And we let out a collective "sigh".

Okay - I don't want to put too much pressure on the guy or make him sound like a Saint or anything, but when he came to our boat this past Sunday, complete with a pre-prepared checklist of action items he thought were essential for us and proceeded to go over each and every single one with suggestions and solutions - we just felt - at ease.  This guy knows what he is talking about, and it shows.  He has had a TON of experience on race boats, shipping boats, cruising boats and everything in between.  I've always said that the brightest, smartest, and classiest people in the world are those who can bring their subject matter down to the level of anyone without making the "student" feel stupid, inadequate or silly.  This is Walt.  He has a TON of knowlege.  He doesn't need to "flex his muscles" and tell you how much he knows or how great he is.  It just comes through in a genuine, matter-of-fact way.  You also get the feeling that he likes what he does, which is always a bonus.

"Currently I have four boats in various stages of doing what you are doing" he told us with a smile.  Comforting words, to say the least.  He went through our entire boat, bow to stern, taking notes and pointing out things we'll need to consider (again, with SOLUTIONS!).  I won't bore you with the details - but all of his input and all of his suggestions were fantastic. 

He followed up with an email the very next day.  He has a lot of the gear we'll need in stock and can give us a great price.  What he doesn't have in stock, he has places to source from, again at a fraction of the retail price.  Double sigh.

And you know what the best part was?

He never ONCE gave us that look of doubt, that shake of the head, that now famous line: "You guys have a LOT to do, you're gonna be lucky to get off the dock".  Maybe he thought it, but he never said it.

He just put his pen to paper, looked around the boat and with a nod of his head said,  "We'll get it done".

Scott and Walt discussing the arch that will hold a LOT of crap off the back of our boat.

Love,

Brittany & Scott