I don't know if any of you other sailors out there ever heard of "going to the dark side" before -- but, when I was growing up, back in the era of the first Star Wars movie in 1977, there was a saying amongst our sailing community about some folks "going to the dark side" -- meaning sailors who transitioned from a sailboat to a powerboat of some fashion.
Well...
...I've been giving this some thought with the First Mate, however, I don't think I could be sailboat-less, ever.
I saw this 1998 Ranger Tug 21 for sale, for a steal, and we tried to buy it, but someone beat us to the punch. She sure was a beauty!
Anyone else out there ever give thoughts to transitioning to the "dark side?" :-D
Was on the dark side with 2 powerboats before getting into sailing. Big fun for the kids and the dog during those years.
I love those little Rangers. There are several here that cruise together. As for me, like you I will always own a sailboat. I have been looking at the Ranger 25 and 27s. They would be so much easier for my wife to move around on, and everything but the birth is on the same level as the aft deck. On board genny means a/c while cruising and at anchor. If i had one, it would very hard to keep me from doing the great loop. At around $100-130k, I wouldnt be able to keep the Orion, but their shallow draft would allow me to keep it at our backyard dock so no renting.
Yes, every day. There were five of us who sailed together through our late teens and on until our forties. We all had sailboats or if between boats we still sailed with each other. We did bareboat charters together. Girl friends became spouses, kids came along and we still sailed on. At about fifty, they all went to the dark side except for me. We got scattered around the country so impossible to maintain that closeness except on the bareboat charters.
I'll be eighty on my next birthday, and I'm afraid age will push me to the dark side to keep me on the water. I've looked at Rangers, Rosborough 246, Eastern Sisu's and others of the semi displacement mode. What I'd really like is a Dianne's Rose, but have done my build and don't want to start another. But it would be perfect for my current sailing grounds, particularly if set up with electric power. My first mate wants a private head not under the bunk we sleep on, standing headroom, and a much better boarding ladder arrangement returning from a swim. And she is perfectly happy not hearing "ready about" any more. I think I'm ok with that.