January 5, 2002... Kay and Pearce had already decided to do the loop
when they went to the New York Boat Show and found the boat to do it in. The new
Silverton 38' Convertible just "jumped out and grabbed us." It
only took a bit of creative financing and the persuasion of a super salesman to
make the dive. Another visit to the Miami Boat Show convinced us... To
paraphrase Ron and Eva, "Honey, we've bought the boat, Now LET'S GO!"
Friday, 3/8/02... Just got a call from Steve Karp at Staten Island Boat
Sales. New Kibon is under construction... We're going to Millville, New Jersey
April 12th to see Silverton put on the final touches. Hopefully we'll be able to
move aboard by mid May when our house closing is scheduled. If not, we'll be
camping out in Steve's office in Freeport. Hope there's room on his couch. Here's
a photo of Steve just after we signed up at the New York Boat Show:
Staten Island Boats Sales is a unique outfit -- in my opinion. One
doesn't often see a company in the business of selling boats that takes
even more interest in its customers after the sale as before it. Steve
Karp is a unique salesman; and a very successful one. In fact, he has been
Silverton's "Salesman of the Year", with an office full of
plaques to prove it. Kay and I have already been to one all-day seminar
for new owners at SIBS where the staff presented a huge amount of
information about big-boat care and feeding, gave us a loose leaf book
packed with dos and don'ts and fed us all lunch as part of the
package.
Two more sessions are scheduled aboard our individual boats before they let
us loose. Maybe I'll finally find out what those big diesels are all about.
It's Pronounced
"Key-bone"
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We've been asked how Kibon got her name...
this boat is actually the third, all named for a Brazilian ice cream
cone. The "Kibon" company was started in 1941; originally it was
a few hand carts pushed through the streets of Rio by vendors shouting
"Ki-bon... KI-BON." The word is fractured Portuguese that means
"MMMmmnn-good"... something like "Good Humor" here.
Click on the Kibon logo for more...
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Friday, April 12: We had a great day at the plant. One
word sums it up... Impressive. We were a group of four new owners with spouses
and friends who were treated to the full tour. Just about everything that goes
into a Silverton is build in-house. The house itself is divided into four main
sections -- each one a separate factory in itself. We saw the pre-assembly areas
-- forming and welding railings, cutting and finishing all interior woodwork, stringers,
bulkheads, etc. The fiberglass area where the hulls and decks are laid up. The
finish and inspection area where everything starts to shine. And the final
assembly plant where it all comes together! Along the way we also looked in on
the design and engineering department where the brains hang out. It was quite a
tour. Thanks, Silverton!
Saturday, April 27 - Saturday May 4: Pearce drove to Florida, said farewell
to our tenant, rendezvoused with the movers, moved into the condo in Boynton
Beach, wrapped up the car and flew back to New York to GREAT NEWS! Kibon has
arrived in Staten Island! On her own bottom. She floats!
On Sunday, May 5, we spent most of the day aboard Kibon, measuring and
trying out all the spaces to see what will fit and what not. A major item
that has to be determined exactly is how high is she -- we have a 19'
fixed bridge to get under during the loop. We measured as best as we could
and got a total height of 20 feet to the top of the anchor light!
Obviously something has to change in this department! It'll get solved
somehow, we're sure.
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Saturday,May 11. Sea trials...
Everything works!
Short fix list.
Closing Tuesday!
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Wednesday, May 15: Closed yesterday... we own it now!
Final sea trials tomorrow in Staten Island. I'm assured she will get under that
19' bridge on the Illinois River. It looks like Kibon will be at Narrasketuck
Yacht Club for the opening ceremony this Sunday. Now we can start loading what
little is left of the house... part has already gone to Florida, most of rest is
in storage and Kay is planning a whopper of a yard sale Memorial Day weekend to get rid of what
little is left over.
Friday May 17: SIBS' Capt Jim delivered Kibon to Narrasketuck Yacht Club
this afternoon just in time for club opening tomorrow. Break out the Champaign!
A toast first, then start loading.
Glitches cured... Yard Sale successful... House
closing 6/12/02... Boat loaded and moved into. Departing
with the morning tide on Friday, June 14.
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Cruisin' The Loop Aboard Kibon