UPDATE:
1st off I'll buy PIZZA, a beer or two and talk MacGregors anytime!
If you're in Lake Wylie, SC , just outside of Charlotte, NC, message me I'll buy. Luigi's Pizza! (my favorite)
I haven't done any sailing yet but I have been reading, studying, and practicing.
Who ever heard of PAN PAN before studying VHF Radios
NOTE: I have a boating history, lakes mostly. I was a lucky kid. Spent my entire childhood on the Finger Lakes in NY, took courses, sailed, fishing, skiing tubing all the fun stuff. Owned a 17ft fishing boat for years when the kids were little. Piloted a barge on the Erie canal for a week and fished on the great lakes. However, NO real coastal experience to speak of and I understand there is a lot to learn. Currents...Huh
My
History so far:
1. Bought the boat. Found a very secure covered storage facility and parked. Sad to be out of the water but I'm trying to be smart and cautious. Basically I know... I don't know, what I don't know.
2. Started with the basics. Dried everything, aired it out and cleaned. Still need to vacuum out all the nooks and crannies in the storage areas. Found some junk and wasp nests but also got 2 extra propellers, the factory manuals, mac and engine, and two good lake fishing rods! Bought it from a nice guy that left a few goodies on board. There was a "Autohelm Sportpilot", quote "never worked that good", and a fish/depth finder. Has the mast raising system as well.
3. Cleaned the interior and inspected everything. Porta potty had to go! All the cushions in really good shape. Smeels good and looks good inside now.
4. Bought a fiber glass repair kit from amazon and started doing little projects, fixing gel coat cracks and a big crack in companion way door. YouTube has TONS of videos and I'm pretty comfortable with it now. Not going to work on the hull but the deck and interior are all me!
5. Bought the shore power Marinco Dockside 30A to 15A Adapter with GFI per recommendations (see above posts). Thanks!
6. Got a nice Powerhorse Portable Inverter Generator — 2000 Surge Watts, 1600 Rated Watts. I was going to get a Honda but the Powerhorse was on sale for $549 so why not try it. I can also get 2 for the price of 1 Honda's. Use it to run power tools, recharge batteries, etc.. so far it works great. My 1st teat was running an air compressor which it handled just fine!
7. Been working on my cleaning buffing and waxing skills to revive the oxidized fiberglass. Practiced on the galley table 1st now it shines like a mirror! Companion way door, cracks fixed and buffed and waxed. Working my way around as time permits.
8. Upgraded the interior lights to LED's. They have a remote, dimmer and even change colors, why not.
9. Got a Swage Tools and Aluminum Sleeve Clips. Going to build my own backstay then have it inspected by a pro prior to use. I think being able to repair rigging will be an extremely important skill to have. Going to keep spare cable and parts on the boat when cruising.
10. Got a Boat Us Membership with the MAXIMUM coverage for towing, trailering etc. and good Insurance coverage.
11. Got 2 portable water proof VHF radios.
Next Steps:
1. Finish maintenance/repairs and get hull fixed and painted. (Found a guy I trust in Lake Norman)
2. Make sure I get
ALL the required and recommended safety and maintenance gear on the boat.
3. Get a Marine "safety check" from the local Sheriff's. They patrol the waters in Lake Wylie.
4. Get the boat to a Coastal Marina and have a few professionals and veterans look it over, Myrtle Beach Area.
5. Use it for a "boat condo" in Myrtle for a while. Rent a long term slip, spend weekends on the boat and start with some ICW motor cruising.
6. Eventually looking at the Long Bay area for some fair-weather sailing just outside the Little River Inlet. Anyone know these waters?
Thinking of:
1. Thetford 92360 Porta Potti 550E Curve Portable Toilet - Looks pretty good from reviews. With mounting pate
2. DeLorme InReach Explorer Two Way Satellite Communicator with Built in Navigation I like the features and can use it for hiking etc too.
3. Garmin GPSMAP® 640 All-In-One Marine & Automotive GPS. Use it in the car then on the boat.
4. Have two Ipads with SeaIQ. (Thinking of getting an Ipad Pro those things are huge!)
A lot left to do before I cruise the Carolina Coasts but I'm trying to be safe.
I truly appreciate all the advice and experience from everyone here and the time spent to post it!
I started reading posts a year before I bought the

and have to say the group here was what made me go MAC!
Thanks!