Encouragement Needed!

[AnchorJockey]

It?s been a while since I have posted in the forum.  I have now owned my 89 C27 for 4 seasons.  I have hit a bit of a wall in terms of boat ownership, and I need some encouragement from my fellow CP?ers to stay the course.

I started with lots of enthusiasm, acquiring ?True Wind? in Toms River NJ and sailing her with my friends and family for 2 seasons on the Barnegate Bay. After sailing for 25+ years on other people?s boats, it was time to have my own.  She was in very good shape but had some needs.  I spent those first 2 seasons learning a lot and enjoying her.  But the almost 3 hour drive each way to the boat became too much, and I moved her to Annapolis, cutting my commute each way by an hour.

Season 3 was spent mostly working on her.  The bottom was stripped and repainted.  New standing and running rigging, new instruments, rebuilt the hatches and did many odd repairs and improvements.  She was renamed ?Ramming Speed? (a more proper name given that the season before I had run the bow into the dock when the motor stalled when pulling into my slip, fortunately with no damage to her).  I only had her out twice, once to sail with family and once at the end of the season on a motor cruise.  I was exhausted after that 3rd season, but looking forward to the winter break and then finally getting some nice sailing on the Chesapeake in 2020.

Then at the start of my 4th season with her, Covid hit.  Fortunately, she pas put on the hard at the end of 2019, shrink wrapped, winterized and snug in her bed.  With all the uncertainty of Covid, from worrying about the health and safety of my family and keeping my business going, to wondering when / if my marina would be functioning, I decided to leave her on the hard for 2020.  I only went to visit her twice to make sure she was OK.  I have not been back since July.

During 2020, I took a mental vacation from the world of boating.  I barely thought about it.  But now with the next season around the corner, I have to decide, do I keep her and get back into sailing, or do I sell her and walk away from sailing.  I have other interests and my own business that keep me pretty busy, and there is a part of me that would welcome one less ?world? to juggle.  But some of my most relaxing times have been sailing, and as I get older, I think I need that relaxation more.  I thought about moving her farther up the bay to near Baltimore and cut my commute each way by another half hour, but being in Annapolis is hard to give up.

I am sure other CP?ers have been in similar situations.  It would be nice to hear some encouraging words to to get me back in the spirit! 

Thanks, Bob

[jthatcher]

Hi Bob,

When we bought our compac 23 it was also on Barnegat Bay.   And, for us the commute was almost 3 and a half hours from northeast PA.  That worked for a couple of years, but then our lives took a different direction.  I ended up buying a trailer which was probably worth more than the boat, but which paid for itself in marina fees in just two years.   The boat ended up at home and out of service for 5 years.   I figured that it was not costing me anything and was not really taking a beating other than from some mice who found their way inside. 

And now, 5 years later, we have brought the boat to Maine and put her in the water last summer and thoroughly enjoyed some time on the water - looking forward to more of the same this year.    Of course, this is our story and how things worked out for us - we would not get away with ignoring a wooden boat for 5 years like that, but the compac  waited patiently and is doing just fine. 

of course, without the option of bringing the boat home,  we never would have been able to justify holding on to it.    Is there a possibility for you to do the same?     Best of luck with your decision.    jt

[deisher6]

Hey Bob: Two quick notes:  I have found sailing to be a great way to deal with Covid. Secondly, I always strive to keep the (working on boat time) to the (sailing) ratio < 1.

Since I was 14 sailing has been my choice of recreation when possible including using special services (USMC) recreational  facilities when boat-less.  Our boats have included: a Windmill (#150), Snipe, 2 C-16's, C-23, 2 C-27's, to the present Windrunner a PSC-34. 

About 33 years ago our family taking my father and mother out for a sail on our C-27, I mentioned to our daughters that I hoped that when I get to be 65 that someone would take me sailing.  Although I still take my self sailing, our middle daughter has provided sailing experiences with her; in San Francisco Bay, Lake Peppin MN, and the Apostle Islands.

Work did get in the way of sailing both from obligations and duty stations.  However in retirement, when every day is a Saturday, sailing provides an excellent way to enjoy life.

Smooth Sailin'
regards charlie

[brackish]

A place where we have either all been or will get to.  Last few years I've been constantly struggling with that decision.  Logically, I should sell the 23 and acquire or build a power boat that is appropriate to my needs and geography.  Just haven't been able to pull the trigger. 

In my case, Covid has not been a factor in my sailing with the exception of sailing with a non family member which was a rare occurrence anyway.  At my marina I never get within 30 feet of anyone unless I choose to do so.  The marina has not closed and will not close, it is a primary fuel stop for great loopers.

[kickingbug1]

 at this  point {age 68} i can still step the mast on my catalina 18 unassisted. when the time comes when i am unable to do that then the boat goes up for sale. for now i see that as a few years off as long as i take care of myself and stay in shape. to give up sailing would be tough but there is always fishing.

[Bob23]

Hi Bob. Another Bob here, also self employed so I thought I'd offer a comment or two.
Covid did not affect my business here in NJ as a building contractor as our projects were deemed exempt by our illustrious guvna. And my marina also did not close down.

  Each spring as I perform the necessary tasks of readying my 1985 23/2 for another season, the questions arise. Is it worth all the time and money I spend each year to maintain and improve her? Is there a way of measuring this? Is it a simple time and money equation? All I know is for me, the pressure, time and expense of owing this lovely little yacht simple vanishes when the sails fill and I can feel her accelerate and carve her way though the waters of Barnegat Bay. Plus, although I mostly sail alone, I do enjoy sharing her with others. Many long standing friendships have been made through sailing this fine little yacht, many of them have already responded to this thread.

  Don't sell. Sail and enjoy!
Bob23

[Tim Gardner]

Ditto Bob.  After 5 years of limited sailing for varied reasons, Sailing lets me decompress from the issues of health, business and outside stresses.  Which one of my 7 sailboats would I sell?  All of them except the 19.

Simple Boat, simple issues.

TG

[Renae]

During 2020, I took a mental vacation from the world of boating.

Error 404 Not Found

Does not compute.

[AnchorJockey]

A big thank you to all who responded.  Just writing it all out in my post made me feel a bit better.  Your responses have me motivated. 

[crazycarl]

Bob, we have all been where you are now in boat ownership.  We had a deep draft Bristol Caravel for 5 years and the only place we could launch her was on Lake Michigan 2 hours away.  Combine a 4 hour round trip with 2 hours rigging and derigging and it made a simple day sail not worth it.  My solution, I bought a small trailer-able boat we could use on our lake and surrounding small lakes.  The small 15' size made it easy to take on vacations too. The Bristol sat and was only used for multi day use, which wasn't often, so we sold it and eventually bought the Compac 19 we have now.  Because we are still 2 hours from any large lakes, we still only use it for multi day use and every spring I go through what you're going through.  Should I let it go and stick with the 15'r, or keep it.  Last March I found a beautiful CP 16/III for sale and I was seriously thinking of replacing both our boats with it.  The 16 would allow us to sail our small 330 acre lake, and I could still sleep on it when going on multi day trips.  Then covid hit, I hesitated on going anywhere, and it was gone.   

If you do decide to sell, perhaps you can try sailing on a small trailer-able boat to see if you like it, and then buy one for yourself.  Good luck with your decision.

Carl

[Mas]

Hey Bob, we know the feeling as do most here. We returned to sailing 4 years ago after 25 plus years away with the purchase of a PSC 31, a boat we had always wanted. The first two years were spent as you, sailing some, doing necessary work on a 30+ year old boat, yada, yada. We live almost 3 hours away and thus made the decision to not spend all of our time woking on the boat and thus pulled Visa out of my toolbox as the tool of choice for certain tasks like bottom painting. So my first recommendation, if you can, is to spend your time being aboard her and not just working on her after you've spend all week working elsewhere. Life has a way of changing your plans as a significant skiing injury left me with residual complications limiting my sailing in 2019, year 3. 2020 was gunna be the year for having our boat ready, me healed, the family business growing....then the Rona changed everything. Wasn't able to get down secondary to a business move, Rona restrictions, etc. almost decided to sell her but we both agreed that even if we weren't sailing that simply having her to get away to was worth it.  My vote would be keep her and come spring get her back in the water even if she is initially used only as a floataminium!

...oh and having your boat in a location that has you wishing to visit is also key. Keep her in Annapolis!

Oh, in case your are wondering about the pic attached to our forum ID looking like a rather small PSC 31, that is Susan on our CP 16. Currently that boat lives here in a barn for now. Yup, we got two boats! I appears many on this forum have more than one boat and very understanding spouses...right Tim?

[philb Junkie19]

I'd say you came to the right place for some encouragement. Seems like quite a few owners travel a real distance to sail. It can be wearing especially for a day sail. I traveled 3 hours round trip years back when I had a 27 ft Albin Vega. Sold it only when we bought some land and started building. No time or money left to sail. Later a cp16 on a nearby lake allowed me back on the water. I throughly enjoy my present 19 and it meets my needs well. I do miss the comfort of the Vega cabin especially after a long day. Boats in that 27 ft range give lots of options and can have an expanded sailing range while being easier to single hand than larger boats.

Phil

[oceanroadus]

Hi Bob, I have to say most of us have been there. I have trailered a couple of sailboats and when I sold the last one I said I wouldn't have a sailboat again unless I lived on the water.  Now I have a Legacy, tied up on my dock on a small lake, she is in the water and ready to go on a whim.  No complex systems etc. small boats are where it is at, it doesn't get any better.  I realize it isn't feasible for everyone to get a piece of waterfront property, I got lucky on timing but there are other options, marina storage wet or dry and renting when you need a fix of a larger boat or ocean cruise.         

[curtisv]

I took sort of a break from sailing.  I sailed a lot when I worked close enough to where the boat was moored and when my kids were young.  For a while I worked at a company in CA and was there a lot.  When home (MA) I didn't have time to take care of the yard and things around the house and do the things I wanted to on the boat so I either got the boat launched late in the season after work was done and had a short season or a few times didn't launch at all.  Then for a while I had a bit more time on my hands and started to catch up.  Last summer was dedicated to working on the new to me larger boat I bought plus everyone that had in the past crewed for me was in covid hermit mode, including me.

I sailed most often when my kids were young.  In the last few years I've sailed mostly with friends, either couples where its combination sailing and entertainment (bring food, use bbq) or some die hard sailors who just want to get in some sailing.  I've spent almost as much time on a friend's CP23 as mine since his mooring give him easy access to Nantucket Sound where I have an impassable channel at all but high tide slack to the Atlantic (or more recently Nantucket Sound via going around Monomoy Island to Stage Harbor Channel.  My wife is more into the enteraining part of sailing and entertaining.  I sail, she serves appetizers and pour drinks.  Then I set anchor and fire up the bbq.

Even if your circumstances at the moment make it hard to get out and sail, circumstances change.  As long as you can store your boat for almost free (store at home and just pay registration) it doesn't hurt to hang on and see what happens down the road.  If your wife like to sail or you have friends that like to sail, that helps.  Since you are near Barnegate Bay you can sail with Bob23 and others in the area.  My friend Greg and I take turns crewing for each other, both CP23 owners.  Its easy to single hand a CP23 but much nicer to have someone to talk to and to trade notes with or go out for a drink after sailing and talk about the day's sailing and maybe debate how high the waves really were.

Curtis