Finally!

ReverendMike · #1 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008

Finally!
I had held a tiller in my hands at 7, then not again until 30-something. I ‘rediscovered’ sailing and (being an anal-retentive technical type) bought books, took classes, took more classes, chartered, and moved from CT to MO. Wait, what?!?! What was that last part? Yeah, moved from sailing heaven (debatable) to sailing hell (not debatable).
But wait! There’s actually sailing in central MO! Yes, I know! Who’d a thunk it? There’s a (very) casual (in organization only, the competition is NOT casual!) sailing club with a race schedule and everything! Woot! The Rev and Kilowatt go sailing! Racing even! Learned more in our first race, than… wait, already did that thread, was 'so-so' as threads go.
So the club takes the summer off to let the powerboats convert money into noise without our interference. Not a problem, the Rev got a transfer/’promotion’ at work so he’s too busy to post on sailnet, much less worry about racing sailboats.
Here we actually start our story (you poor fools who read this far): A co-worker had picked up a ‘free’ sailboat on the local internet classifieds. He had (kindly) offered to let me have first crack at it, but I had only an old, small pick-up that couldn’t hit 65mph if I had a passenger. Plus, I’ve read enough (see above) to be convinced that there is no boat so expensive as a ‘free’ one (though Charlie C. will probably get every dollar back that he spends on ‘Oh Joy’, the exception to the rule, I suppose). I listened to his stories of sailing on our local 100-acre lake (no heffalumps, just lots of submerged trees), will a bit of envy, really, just a small, little, miniscule, iota!!!! The jerk! ARRGH!
Fast forward a few weeks, I actually now own a vehicle capable of towing something heavier than me. The same co-worker comes in one Monday and says that there’s another sailboat listed. Said co-worker becomes (to be honest) a pest. His mission, it seems, is to make sure I buy this boat “with the colorful sail” (from the ad). Further research proves it to be a laser, circa 1983, with trailer for $750. Well, calls are made, Kilowatt and the Rev go look, but their minds were already made up (well MINE was, that’s for sure). The hull was in nice shape, with very slight dimples from the rollers on the trailer. A bargain that just needed to be used; it had been sitting unloved for years. Two new tires for the trailer, replace the wiring plug, and good to go! (Which is good, because the purse-strings are tied VERY tight now!)
Today it got splashed for the first time in perhaps twenty years! On that same 100-acre lake, there was a good bit of ‘messing about in boats’. More later, this has already gone on much too long…

Be good.

Ziaduck · #2 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008

WOOHOO! Congrats to ya!

Stillraining · #3 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008

Way to go Rev..welcom back ..My story is about the same..30+ year laps..

craigtoo · #4 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReverendMike

Finally!
Today it got splashed for the first time in perhaps twenty years! On that same 100-acre lake, there was a good bit of ‘messing about in boats’. More later, this has already gone on much too long…

Be good.

Can I get an 'AMEN' brothers and sisters...!?!!!!!

The prodigal son has returned home...!!!

(Geesh..he's even a Reverend...that's gotta be worth something...)

camaraderie · #5 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008

Hey Hey...welcome back and congrats! Looking forward to the tall tales about the 10 knot current opposing a 15 ft. tide in a 40 knot gale with 12ft. seas on the lake!

ReverendMike · #6 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008

Thanks you all, but geez Cam! Did you have to give it away! Actually the winds were light (which was good), and fluky (which is normal). Kilowatt only dumped it once, and she wisely waited until the camera ran out of film (yes, film camera, it has a better telephoto...) so I can't prove it. I'd start a thread about it all, but there wasn't that much to it, just a good afternoon on the water.

The boat doesn't really need anything except to reattach the hiking strap correctly, but I'm sure I'll break something...

ckgreenman · #7 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008

Cool story Rev. I'm pretty much in the same boat (as it were) as you are. I learned to sail a long time (25+ years) ago on a little lake in California. Since then I've gotten married and my Wife and I now live in North Carolina on the banks of Lake Norman. I own a power boat but haven't had a tiller in my hands in at least a decade or so. Well now I got the bug again and I'm getting ready to restore my old sabot that I've been dragging along with me and might even get adventurous enough to build me a small knock around sloop so I can teach my wife to sail.

sailaway21 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008

Ah Rev, the season is young. I see sailing taking place right up to Thanksgiving. (the voice of one who just got his boat in the water three weeks ago!) Congratulations to you and Kilowatt! Bring the photos to Chicago in January.

PBzeer · #9 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008

Good show old chap!

denby · #10 (**permalink**) 08-31-2008

Congrats Rev,

So now your next step is to move back to the east coast and do some real sailing.