The test

I set a goal for this year and achieved it last week. That was to sell off my oddball kayaks, as well as those that were essentially duplicates in function. The former was much more of a challenge.

I have an affinity for some oddball boats that represent innovation, extreme performance or other intended positive attribute. I go into the purchases knowing they will be difficult to sell and pay for them accordingly. I anticipate that I’ll have to sell low when the time comes, so I buy low up front. Even so, a sale is an exercise in target marketing.

However, my most recent transaction, which liquidated my last eccentric specimen, added a new wrinkle. If anything, I deemed it one of the more “normal” of the orphans I adopt. But, three times it was “sold” and three times, the buyer failed to come up with the promised cash and simply disappeared. This kayak appeared to attract an especially quirky niche.

The fourth time is the charm, and, last week, I finally wrapped by fingers around the long green. Phew!

With the boat account flush with cash from selling off the duplicates and oddballs, I set out to fill in the gaps in the fleet. The goal now is to accomplish that without taking a step backwards by inadvertently acquiring the Edsel of kayaks. The eventual secondary market is the acid test.

I made the first purchase and took it on its native voyage yesterday with a group of paddling friends. It immediately drew compliments, but that’s not unusual as it is a common courtesy. But, two of the admiring remarks were followed by, “Let me know when you want to sell it.”

That’s the test.