So, took the boat in yesterday...

[JeremyD]

For a bottom job - I feel bad, because I have neglected this boat over the past two years while we rebuilt our house - we lived 15 minutes away - it sat waiting behind our house while the construction crews worked.

It desperately needs a bottom job - has some growth - the rudder was delaminating - so I pulled that and repaired.

Hopefully I can use it more - I want to teach my kids how to sail.

Turbo went with me to deliver the boat (tied it next to the motorboat so I wouldn't have to get a ride back from the marina)



yes, it was like glass yesterday - 78 degrees -



it looks a little more washed out than it is. I refinished it about 12 years ago - including a crooked stripe that I did in the dark the day before launching

[Moneyguy1]

I grew up on the shores of Lake Ontario and had lots of friends with boats. Thereore I had the advantage of going sailing with out the responsibility of upkeep. As one friend of mine with a two master used to say: A boat is a hole in the water in which you throw money.

But nothing beats being under sail. Just the noise of the wind and the water being parted by the bow....

[gatotom]

ahhhh, the joys of a boat.......if you don't love it, leave it.

last wkend I had my shaft zincs changed and engine zinc, my buddy next to my slip does it for me. He has all the gear and it just ends up being a party all wkend, the joys of the boat community.

Two yrs ago I hauled my sailboat out of the water and put on 2 coats of ablative paint from Pettite, I did first coat in black and second coat in blue. I am still on the first coat cuz the black is not showing thru yet, boat never leaves the water.

Yes, boats can be a hole in the water for cost but so can that porsche sitting in your garage. Upkeep is the main theme on boats and your time is free and no, I can't go 120 mph but at 8-10 mph I am flying with just the wind. Total cost for fuel last yr about 100 bucks, my 30 hp diesel uses 4/10's gal per hour @ 6K speed. At 7-8k with a heel angle of 30 degrees, I know I would make alot of folks fill there pants.

[JeremyD]

Well, I am glutten for punishment as I have a sailboat, a motorboat and a 911.

I love sailing - I had the opportunity to sell it a year ago - but I put so much effort into it 12 years ago - I could not. That - and I really would want to tech my kids to sail.

I told my wife that with the price of gas - we probably need to get green and sail more - motorboat less often

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by JeremyD

I love sailing - I had the opportunity to sell it a year ago - but I put so much effort into it 12 years ago - I could not. That - and I really would want to tech my kids to sail.

Our sailboat hasn't been in the water for two years, and this past summer I considered selling it. My wife put an end to that, we don't have kids yet but she really wants to sail with kids, take weekend trips etc. I love seeing families out on the water, and that idea is more than enough to make me hang onto it.

One of my favorite sailing images was from a couple summers ago. I was down at the beach around 8 pm, there was barely enough wind to move a fart 2 feet. A Catalina 25 with mom, dad, 2 kids and a dog was s l o w l y drifting by with just a spinnaker. They had the BBQ going on the back, they were chatting and goofing around, the little dog was up on the bow. They dropped anchor right at the cove and ate as the sun went down. What a great way to spend time with family.

As for the money pit part, I don't find -25ft sailboats to be expensive at all. If anything, I think they are a bargain. That's especially true if its a trailer launch sailboat. I have a 9.8 outboard, one summer I filled the 5 gallon fuel tank and nearly used the whole thing by october.

Jeremy, I've said it before, but that is a beautiful paint job. My friend got his MacGregor 22's hull repaired, and will be painting it in the spring. I showed him your pics, and it was enough to convince him to go with Awlgrip using a roller & brush. Got the Casey book on hull work & painting.

[JeremyD]

a picture of the "after"

[Moneyguy1]

When I was in the Coast Guard, I had an opportunity and took it. I was able to sail for two days on the Coast Guard three master; the Eagle. Now there was an adventure!! It was a long time ago, but I do have some (very little I admit, two days isn't very much) appreciation of what it was like to be a sailor in the days before steam.

[arcsine]

I have been getting the "I wants" for a 24-30 ft boat real bad lately. I have been racing for the last 15 years or so and want one to go kick around the San Juan islands and have some water-time with the family. Unfortunately, my wife's father abused the boat privilege when she was growing up and now the whole boat-ownership thing has been stigmatized for her and she has no desire what so ever. Sigh.
Maybe once my daughter gets older we can go and leave the wife on the dock.

[JeremyD]

I embrace boating as a way to keep the family together. No video games allowed, no TV, No cell phones (except mine for emergencies). No other distractions - we go on adventures.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Moneyguy1

A boat is a hole in the water in which you throw money.

Sorry but it is Shovel money into

[911Rob]

That was fast?
Looks good now!

BOAT:
Bring
Out
Another
Thou

[JeremyD]

Then porsche ownership must take a front loader.

[Dueller]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Sorry but it is Shovel money into

My favorite boat/money quote was attributed to Ted Turner when he took on the America's cup:

"Imagine being fully clothed in a freezing shower while tearing up hundred dollar bills as fast as you can...that's the America's Cup."

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by JeremyD

Then porsche ownership must take a front loader.

I'm sure Joe is just sympathizing. Remember, he owns an AIRPLANE.

As the old saying goes: If it floats, flys, or f*#ks.....LEASE IT.

[DanielDudley]

I had a buddy who used to say Porsches wipe their arses with thousand dollar bills.

Some do, I guess

[sscates]

Boat

Break Out Another Thousand!

[JeremyD]

Originally Posted by 911Rob

That was fast?
Looks good now!

BOAT:
Bring
Out
Another
Thou

Sorry - that was "after" the first restoration. About 12 years ago.

The original before



during

[equality72521]

Once again, I miss Florida. I'm moving back to Tampa this year....no matter what.

[JeremyD]

Went to the boat yard today - to check on the bottom. I was concerned because it had some growth - and I checked my records and it had been over 2 1/2 years since it's last bottom job - not good in warm florida waters. But for you pundits = that means that my cost of ownership over the past two years has been $620 (insurance at $310 a year) or $25 a month - a little less than my Porsche experience.

Anyway - the good news is that the bottom is in great shape - very little work was needed - a little sanding and that was it. I guess that solid epoxy bottom I slaved over 12 years ago paid dividends.

[BRPORSCHE]

Jeremy,
Thats one nice boat man. My parents are getting into the whole sailboating craze here on galveston bay. Since I am young I prefer the speed, but when I go out and help out with the rigging it's actually kinda soothing. Even though a early morning kayak is my favorite by far.

Cheers from Taylor Lake.