As a salty sailor from another era (the bygone times of the cold war ;) ) I can be fairly superstitious. One manifestation of this is my habit of trying to keep to myself information on certain things that I want. The logic, if you can call it that, is that if I tell people about the things that I really want to happen, they won't; they get jinxed... I have told people about my dream to sail around the world but I've told them in a joking manner so that maybe I'll trick the the karma behind my superstitions... Karma can be tricked but she is a bitch about it!
So as I alluded to in my previous post I came across an ad on Craigslist the day that Mandi and I had decided to go check out Harbor Island Yacht Club, a sail club I was considering changing to. The ad was posted by the owner of a 1988 Catalina 30 who was looking for someone to share use and expenses on a boat that he has diligently kept in Bristol condition. [aside: there is the term Bristol that is so easily thrown around on Yachtworld and there is the living definition of the word in this boat.] The ad poster loves boats, and loves this boat, but doesn't have the time to use her often. His options came down to: sell her or find someone conscientious who is willing to use the boat, maintain her condition, and share some of her expenses. He was not looking for an equity partner just yet, though that may come down the road, or channel as it were.
My response to his ad included my sailing resume and my current sailing desires and limitations. I guess my response spoke more clearly to him than the several other responses he'd gotten so he and I began to discuss what we're both looking for in this partnership. Mandi and I met him two weeks ago and went with him to the boat yard where at that moment the boat was having some maintenance and repairs done. With the service completed earlier this week I made plans to meet at the boat today; for me to evaluate the boat and for her owner and I to evaluate each other. Neither of us wanted to enter this relationship blindly and it is important that we are both comfortable with each other in several senses of the word.
With good vibes all around after a very enjoyable day sail we decided to give this a try. Since I am not going to be an equity partner, anytime soon at least, there is very little financial risk for either of us. Of course there is added risk to the boat with an additional skipper operating her but I feel confident in my abilities and, well frankly, she's insured...
So there it is. I've entered into a partnership that allows me to sail virtually as much as I want on a very beautifully kept Catalina 30.
She is named Dances with Dolphins [what's in a name really...] and she's very well outfitted:
Universal Diesel
Chart Plotter
Depth and Speed displays
Auto Pilot
Fridge/Freezer
Water heater
Brand new propane stove
Hard Mounted Microwave
Dodger
Bimini
Newer sails
Rail BBQ
Self Tailing winches
Lazy Jacks
She really is the cleanest Catalina 30 I've seen inside and out, and even Mandi is willing to spend a weekend on her and even use the head! She's berthed in Marina Cortez on Harbor Island. I hope to go by this week and take some pictures which I'll post as soon as I get them on my computer!
So Sailing Season is open! Who's up for a day on the bay?
Seaman Ray
Subscribe