I wasn't sure where to post this, and this forum seemed harmless enough, please feel free to move this post if its misplaced.
I'll get right to it. I'd like to use your sailboat for a weekend in exchange for money, services, work on your sailboat, etc.
The backstory:
I've owned sailboats for a long time. Started out with a 1972 Aquarius 23 and for every hour I sailed her, I worked on her for five. Then a 1975 O'Day 27 and the work sailing ratio went down to 2:1. Finally I fell in love with a 1981 Allmand 31 and got to experience a boat that only needed to be worked on for the joy of working on boats, not to keep her afloat. Unfortunately, the Allmand was owned as part of a three way partnership and when your two partners lose interest in sailing (how is that even possible right?) then you are forced to either buy them out (which I couldn't afford at the time) or sell the boat. Therefore, I am currently in search of my next dream boat. I think I'll probably be in a position for solo boat ownership by next year, and I can't wait.
There's more backstory. During all the time I've been sailing, I've tried to get a very good friend of mine out for more then a couple hours. He shares my love of sailing but his experience (I always told him) is woefully incomplete if he never spends a couple evenings out on the water, or at some unfamiliar port. But as it usually happens when you have two very busy people, our schedules never aligned, or when they did, the weather interfered (hurricane!) So we always said, we'll try again later. Now the time has come! My friend is getting married, and he has asked me to be his best man. I can think of no better surprise for him before he gets married then to take him out on the water for a couple days but there's just one problem... no boat. Timing has never been our friend.
About me:
I am 28 years old, happily married and I love sailing. If you would consider letting me use your sailboat I would happily provide a copy of my driving record which shows no tickets. I am a responsible person, I don't drink excessively and I have a high respect for other people's property. I'm not interested in testing the limits of your vessel or dipping the rails, I'm looking for a couple days of cool breezes and beautiful scenery spent with good friends.
The boat I am looking for:
A monohull or catamaran between 28' - 36' with standing room in the cabin. Clean enough to enjoy a meal below decks.
The trip I'd like to take:
I have sailed out to Tangier Island a half dozen times and love the place and the people. My ideal trip would be three nights, one spent at Tangier, one at Smith Island, and one at some port along the way, maybe solomons island. These are all places that I am familiar with, have sailed in many times, and enjoy going. If perhaps your boat is too remote from these places then I can change the itinerary. The group would be myself and my friend, plus two others.
What would you receive in exchange:
For
starters, your boat would get a big cleaning before we used it (if it needed it) and a big cleaning after as well.
As far as compensation goes we could do any number of things. Straight up cash is an option, although its not my favorite. Is there a project that needs done on your boat? Maybe you'd like a cockpit shower installed? A MP3/stereo system with marine speakers? A nice new stainless steel Magma
grill installed out on the rail for summer barbecuing? I am very handy and would love to tackle any one of these projects! Maybe you'd just like a number you could call to have me come give you a hand with sanding the brightwork on deck or pressure washing and scrubbing under the waterline when you haul her at the end of the season. I would love to do any of these things or maybe there's something you have in mind that I haven't mentioned. Let me know! Send me an email and we'll see what we can work out.
Bottom
line. If you'll allow a capable and responsible person to borrow your girl for a couple days when you aren't planning on using her anyway, you could get some great benefits in return!
PM me, or email at
rejjr7@gmail.com
-Ralph
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