what our boats teach us

[passagesfromtheheart]

So I just looked at my CPYOA profile signature which displays on the forum whenever I post. If you read it, you'll see I've sold four Com-Pacs -- in fact, I just sold the fourth boat, my 2008 Legacy, yesterday. (Congratulations to her new captain and crew!!!) Anyway, this all got me thinking about my sailing journey and each boat that has come into my life. Things like...

why I wanted each particular boat in the first place...
all of the immeasurable lessons each boat has taught me...
all of the peaks and valleys along the way and how all of these things have shaped me into the sailor I've become today, right here, right now.

It kind of blows my mind a bit, if I'm being fully honest. I plan to write about all of this -- in more depth and detail -- re: the stories behind each boat and the treasures each vessel imparted upon me.

I don't know...I'm just wondering if any of you relate to what I'm talking about here. I'm a very sentimental person and always get deeply attached to every boat which has been in my care. It's always a bittersweet day when they've gone on to the next chapter in their boat lives.

I'm aware of the saying that the two happiest days in a boat owner's life are when a boat is either 1) purchased or 2) sold. Regarding the latter, that is not true for me...however, I'll add that I'm happy for the new boat owner. I love seeing people feeling happy and excited about their new boats!

Soliloquy, my former 2008 Com-Pac Legacy, yesterday, leaving for new adventures out on the horizon. Fair winds!⛵️

[slode]

I tend to hold onto things as long as I practically can.  And the only sailboat I have sold in my life was my very first, a little 9' Mango Escape.  She was a yellow rotomolded kids' toy for the most part, that I could load and unload from the back of a pickup by myself, and she was under the length limit to require registration in MN so there was 0 ownership cost.  But I spend countless hours on local lakes leering the ropes, righting capsizes, and trolling for Walley with a string tied around my ancle.  I sold her shortly after purchasing my Nacra 5.0, I didn't regret it at the time, but after the second time spending 40+ minutes at the ramp both side of a sail setting up and tearing down the catamaran, I did regret it.  Even compared to my Eclipse she was a quick and easy weeknight getaway.  I'd sail much more often if I'd kept her and I've had my eye out for a same/similar boat since.

[bruce]

+1 Slode. That Com-Pac focused on the ability to launch and retrieve their boats at the ramp throughout their line was key to their success. Some are easier than others of course, but their consistent attention to facilitating trailering was greatly appreciated.

[crazycarl]

Can't say I have ever been affected by selling a boat. A motorcycle, yes. That day still haunts me. After 155,000+ miles and 17 years, it was hard watching it being hauled away on someone else's trailer. That was 17 years ago and I still miss it.

[kickingbug1]

   like carl i do miss the last bike i had, a 75 honda 750 super sport. about sailboats i have had 4 but the only one i will miss is the one i have now my catalina capri 18. when that one goes so goes my sailing career

[brackish]

I have sixty years of sailing and sailboat owning experience.  I've owned three boats in a family partnership and one (current) independently.  In the early days, I would race a lot, mostly crewing for others PHRF, but a limited amount of one design. I've also done Bareboat charters in the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and a couple domestically on inland lakes.

Each of the owned boats was right for the time.  Each had a different story for being replaced. The largest, a Columbia 8.7, caused a family riff that to this day remains.  I learned sadly that a handshake agreement, which should be OK in family, does not replace a signed contract.

My Compac 23IV will be my last.  I don't think I'll miss it particularly, I'll miss no longer being young enough to enjoy what it has to offer.

The only path I wish I had taken early on was doing more Bareboat Charters, i.e. gaps in ownership and spending that cost of ownership money on the charters.  There is something about showing up, boat is provisioned and ready, sailing your own itinerary for eight or ten days, then walking away with the memories.

 

[kstephens]

I am thrilled you sold it! FYI - I am the one towing the boat in the pic above.  I've been a lurker on this site for some time learning about Com-Pacs and shopping for the right one.  I guess now that I am officially an owner, I will start posting.  I have been a boat owner since I was 17 (all bass boats), so at a month shy of 50 I now have my first sail boat.  I had sailed a few times with friends, and took a sailing class last year and fell in love with it, especially the smaller boats. 

I understand I have a huge learning curve ahead of me - not only in terms of sailing, but overall boat care and maintenance - but I am looking forward to it. 

Thanks again Michelle!