About The Boat

  AS  YOU  WISH

As You Wish is a 2010 Marine Trader 38' Sundeck with a single Cummins QSB 5.9L diesel engine.  She is equipped with a Vetus bow thruster to aid in maneuverability and has an 8.5kw Kohler diesel generator and 3 separate heat/AC units for indoor comfort.

When searching for our ideal Looper boat we had several specific requirements.  Something in the 36' to 42' range would be easy enough for 2 people to handle but large enough so as not to get claustrophobic.  While our previous boats always had twin engines which are great for maneuverability and redundancy, we decided this one should have a low hour single diesel for the simplicity, fuel economy and extra engine room space. We wanted minimum outside teak and its associated maintenance.  Wide walk around side decks and beefy secure railings were essential for safety.  Creature comforts included a full-size island bed.  A second stateroom with its own head for visitors.   A traditional wood interior just because we like that old timey look and feel.   A lower helm station with side helm door would make things easier going through the many locks. But we also wanted a flybridge with it's improved visibility for day-to-day cruising.

 We thought a Europa type trawler with its single level layout would suit us best but after looking at the Mainship 390's and 400's, an Island Gypsy Europa, a Beneteau 42 we decided the forward master cabin just wasn't for us.   We then looked at a number of traditional aft cabin trawlers like the Monk 36, Grand Banks 36 or 42 and a Pacific Seacraft 38.  With those the aft cabin seemed a bit small and most had the galley in the salon which made things feel a bit "tight" in the living space.

During our search up and down the east coast we came across "our perfect loop boat" at Yacht View Brokerage outside Annapolis, MD on the Chesapeake Bay.   Marine Trader had been importing boats from a variety of Taiwanese boatyards since the late 70's.  Our model was one of the last designs they commissioned and was actually built in Mainland China (what isn't these days??).  It is similar to an earlier 38' sundeck model but has a much wider 14.5' beam. For us it checked off most everything on our wish list and over time we've discovered other features we like.

The sundeck gives a great place to relax outside in the shade and with the operational side doors we can control the airflow and weather.

The dinette across from the lower galley gives a separate defined cooking and eating area which we enjoy.  Plus, the dinette converts providing a possible additional berth for overflow guests.

We got those wide walk arounds, solid railings and no outside teak. A full keel keeps the props protected and running gear safe.

The full width master stateroom aft has a walk around island bed and a built-in vanity with seat. The aft head includes a separate enclosed shower.   The guest VIP berth (right) has a double berth we prefer over a V berth.

Upper helm station with full enclosure provides great visibility and weather protection.

Lower helm station has access door onto starboard side deck.  Built in furniture in salon eliminates possibility of things moving around unexpectedly in rough water conditions and supplies large storage areas beneath.

Cummins 5.9L QSB Series engines are common rail computer controlled for improved emissions, fuel economy and reliability. Ours is the 230HP version which is the lowest HP configuration for this motor. Just 1000 well maintained hours at purchase.  We're typically burning 1.5-2.0 gph traveling 6-7 knots.  Easy access to the engine room and plenty of room below on either side for service work

About Us

 We're John and Martha.   We purchased our first boat together, a 29' Silverton, in the late 80's while living in Pennsylvania.  It was kept in Middle River, MD which is a tributary on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay just north of Baltimore.  It was our weekend getaway place.  We soon got 5 footitis and upgraded to a 34' Silverton convertible which afforded us a bit more room for extended stays.  Over the years we made corporate moves throughout the south with relocations to SC, GA and FL. We're currently retired and have a "dirt house" on the GA side of Lake Hartwell.   Over those years we went through a series of different boats based on our location and needs.  Everything from a 21' center console for fishing, to a SeaDoo jet boat for fun, to a Hobie Holder sailboat just to learn some sailing skills, to kayaks for some exercise and exploring.  We still have some of them!

Our latest adventure has been on our bucket list for years.  Ever since we first learned about the Great Loop over a decade ago while moving a boat from SC to FL we dreamed of casting off lines and motoring into the sunset.   Last year we finally started making that dream a reality with the purchase of our Looper boat - As You Wish.   She's a 2010 Marine Trader 38' Sundeck.   We found her up on the Chesapeake outside of Annapolis MD and after signing all the papers we spent most of the summer exploring the bay before following the southward winter boat migration down the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway to it's winter home in Charleston, SC.

Come spring we'll be heading out for a year long circumnavigation of the eastern portion of the US.  The trip basically follows the season...so we'll leave Charleston early spring, head up the ICW, through the Chesapeake Bay, down the Delaware Bay, around the NJ coast to NYC, and up the Hudson River.  Summer takes you across the Erie canal, into Canada to explore the Trent Severn waterway, the Georgian Bay and the North Channel before heading south down Lake Michigan to Chicago. As fall approaches we'll head down the river system - Illinois Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Tombigbee before finally arriving in Mobile. AL.  As winter approaches, we'll motor across the FL panhandle, down the west coast and hole up in the keys until warmer weather allows for completing the circle and heading up the east coast and back to Charleston.