My end is near....help!

SailChick20 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-22-2008

As my 1st season as a boatowner and obsessive tinkerer winds down...I'm starting to have chest pains over what I'll do with myself in the offseason. Mind you...although this is my 1st year sailing, I've gotten out 4-5times/week..thanks to a job that spoils me with abundant free afternoons.

Questions for you...

How do you make it to Spring while maintaining your sanity?
What do you do...buy all the toys/equipment/etc that you want and pile it up till the shrink wrap comes off? Read sailing books to fill the void? Help!

A few pics from my sail this weekend...unseasonably warm in Chicago.

sailaway21 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-22-2008

"How do you make it to Spring while maintaining your sanity?"

Some of us spend our time reading articles on animal husbandry in the original Portuguese. The rest just look at the pictures in the same articles. (g)

knothead · #3 (**permalink**) 09-22-2008

SailChick20,
You are in luck, I just happen to be in need of qualified crew for a "Adventure in the Med." All that I require is that you be female, know how to sail and will pay your way and buy me a new set of sails.
I can keep you busy until spring, no problem.
Btw, I have a really nice and roomy 27 footer so you will have your own space.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Siamese · #4 (**permalink**) 09-22-2008

Well, I'm over here in Muskegon Michigan, worrying about the same thing. I'm going to plan my trip to Door County Wisconsin (have a book coming in at the library for that).

Gonna think about the new, bigger anchor I need for the trip. And narrow down my dinghy choices.

You're a tinkerer, huh? Me too. I'm thinking about the big blank space on the bulkhead forward of my dinette. Could put some artwork there, but what I really need is a nice teak cabinet/shelf thing for the dishes and stuff that don't fit so well in the galley.

Chapman's always needs review.

Checking in at Sailnet always helps.

Thinkin' about sewing up a couple extra cushions for the cockpit.

Still, the answer is...nuthin' much helps. I'll bet you're making the best of the days we have left.

SailChick20 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-22-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by knothead

SailChick20,
You are in luck, I just happen to be in need of qualified crew for a "Adventure in the Med." All that I require is that you be female, know how to sail and will pay your way and buy me a new set of sails.
I can keep you busy until spring, no problem.
Btw, I have a really nice and roomy 27 footer so you will have your own space.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Steve...

No go, no such luck. While I AM female, and DO know how to sail...I just bought my own new sails (no $ left for yours). Guess I'll just have to read my Sail Magazines for the 10th time.

knothead · #6 (**permalink**) 09-22-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by SailChick20

Steve...

No go, no such luck. While I AM female, and DO know how to sail...I just bought my own new sails (no $ left for yours). Guess I'll just have to read my Sail Magazines for the 10th time.

Darn the luck!!!! Oops, I think I just woke up Mrs. Knothead.
I'm in trouble now.

SailChick20 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-22-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siamese

You're a tinkerer, huh? Me too. I'll bet you're making the best of the days we have left.

Yes, indeed. I need to order a few books myself for the weekend cruises I'd like to do next year (Door County's on my list too!). Also, need to replace the ceiling panels due to a previous leak that prior owner ignored, that I have since fixed.

Want a new stereo/xm/mp3 player...will research how to install that.

...pretty much plan on how to spend my next 25 paychecks!

And yes, am soaking up every day I can till there's no more...gonna try and keep her in the water till mid-October.

sailortjk1 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-22-2008

Happens every year about this time.
You will have to learn how to build a dinghy perhaps.
The key for me is......January sucks.
November we go for a long weekend to the Bahamas, than comes Thanksgiving, December is shot with the preperations for Christmas, than........January. If I can make it one month I'm ok. Strictly Sail is the end of the month and starts the turn towards launch day. We usually start working on the boat in mid March.
Don't worry you are not alone.
Five more weekends of sailing for me.

camaraderie · #9 (**permalink**) 09-22-2008

We have a neat winter pastime here called Sailnet Dementia. It begins to rear its' head around the Christmas winds and by President's Day is in full swing. Stick around and join the fun...complete with tar and feathering, Portagee Pig Roasts, and Sailing Nazis.

SailChick20 · #10 (**permalink**) 09-22-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailortjk1

Happens every year about this time.
You will have to learn how to build a dinghy perhaps.
The key for me is......January sucks.
November we go for a long weekend to the Bahamas, than comes Thanksgiving, December is shot with the preperations for Christmas, than........January. If I can make it one month I'm ok. Strictly Sail is the end of the month and starts the turn towards launch day. We usually start working on the boat in mid March.
Don't worry you are not alone.
Five more weekends of sailing for me.

Tim,

I'm trying your travel method...Washington DC in Oct, Puerto Vallarta in Nov...Holidays in December...January WILL SUCK...February chartering a cat in Tortola & StrictlySail...March-we're back in biz!

Thanks for sharing my pain!