How often do you sail?

[crazycarl]

i ask because every year i have plans to "sail more", and it never happens.  last year i had the boat out once.  granted it was for 2 weeks in the north channel, but 2 weeks out of an entire summer is pitiful.  this year we made it to clr for a couple days.  then the axle went bad on the way home.  other home projects have kept me from replacing it, but i'm getting close.  i live 2 blocks from a marina and have another 15' sailboat that hasn't felt the water under it's hull in 2 years.  this summer has been particularly busy for me and hard.  hard because almost every day the wind is perfect for a sail.

is it just me, or are there others out there who rarely get to be on the water?

[jimhuber2]

 I live about an hour from the marina where I keep my boat. I have gotten out at least once a week this summer and twice when possible. In June, was off a week and was on the water 5 of the 7 days. Being on the boat on the water is my sane quiet time and I have been fortunate to be able to work my at home responsibilities around sailing time. Life does have a habit of getting in the way :-) Luckily too, here in NC, I can sail pretty much year round.

[geeman]

This summer - zero.  My "just needs a little fixing up" spring purchase has consumed all my free time.  Not that I'm not enjoying the fixing up, I am.  But I'm not sailing.  Yet.  But I'm getting closer and working toward (hoping for) a fall launch.

[bruce]

We try to get out once a week, it's something my wife and I do together. Although it is more my thing, she does enjoy it. She wouldn't object to my going out more often without her, but I'm more interested in keeping her involved. Our Scottie is up for anything, so that helps the bond.

Our primary ramp is 5 minutes away, and we're both retired at this point. So, we have lots of flexibility, and have become very choosy about our days. I did work for myself, so I could have lost money any time I wanted, but my wife had to take the time off. We've always avoided launching on weekends, but do swing by the ramp just to watch the fun, and grab a line if someone needs help.

[crazycarl]

jim,  where in nc do you sail?  the main reason i've been too busy this year is i retired at the end of june and we're getting the house ready to list next spring.  we have property outside of oriental on greens creek and hope to build on it next year.  then i can sail away from my own dock and not have to trailer anymore. 
it will make a simple day sail so much easier. 

[Bob23]

   While I don't get to sail the mighty Koinonia (1985 23/2) as often as I'd like to, I keep a Sunfish moored in Surf City, NJ so after work if I need my fix, I can just jump on and sail. Prep takes 5 minutes if I'm slow. I also row an Adirondack Guideboat that I can trailer to work and also go out after work.
  I'm fortunate to work on a resort island and I know places I can launch for free. But back to your question "How often do I sail?"  Not often enough. The Admiral does not enjoy sailing so I'm solo most of the time.
Bob23

[crazycarl]

Well bob, do i have deal for you!

Bring SAIL your tools and yourself down to oriental next year, build my house for a generous $150 sq ft and you can live on your boat at our dock.  I'll even lower the transient slip rate for you and let you knock off early on fridays to go sailing.

I know, i know, too generous of me
But hey, that's the kind of guy i am!

[Bob23]

I don't know what to say! Your generosity leaves me speechless...and you know that's not easy!!

[brackish]

Up until this year about twice a month average year round.  More often in the Spring and Fall, less so in the Summer (no wind, competing with the power crowd) and winter, (often too cold).  This year a significant fall off, constant travel working on a hurricane damaged house.  This too will end........

[Roland of Macatawa]

Last season was my first with my new-to-me 2012 SunDayCat.
I averaged sailing once per week over that season from late-May into early-October, 18 outings.

My pace this year is slower. It's been a difficult season.
Early it was wet, cold, and very rainy.
Then it was hot and still.
Lately it's been nice, and I was out twice this week bringing my seasonal total to 6 so far.
Also, sailing has been (and will continue to be) interrupted by week-long camping outings with my wife.

Regards, Roland

ps. While camping at the Traverse City State Park, I sailed with Jim-in-TC on his SunCat.
We sailed on (West) Grand Traverse Bay from the marina in downtown Traverse City.
Jim was a gracious host.

[BobK]

I am extremely fortunate.  After retiring three years ago we moved to Fairhope AL on Mobile Bay.  My CP 27 is a 5 minute drive from home.  I get to sail 4-5 times a week year round.  Sometimes for a couple hours, sometimes for a few days.  I have yet to get tired of this.
BobK

[Reighnman]

Just logged into Navionics and it looks like 11 days this year. Seems pathetic when I divide all the hours and $$$ spent by 11. That includes a 3 day motor/sail 60 miles south to Cape May and back which was a great trip.  With BBB on the horizon, I hope to increase that denominator by 4.

[Bob23]

Looking forward to seeing you at the 13th BBB this year. I see you've reserved your slip so you'll be the big kid on the block. My 23 will be dwarfed by your 25!
 

[brackish]

Well bob, do i have deal for you!

Bring SAIL your tools and yourself down to oriental next year, build my house for a generous $150 sq ft and you can live on your boat at our dock.  I'll even lower the transient slip rate for you and let you knock off early on fridays to go sailing.

I know, i know, too generous of me
But hey, that's the kind of guy i am!

I can see there may be a bidding war for Bob's services.  I can offer immediate employment, with a mooring right in front of the house in Mexico Beach.  That would let him row to his temp home daily.  Alternatively he can have the top bunk in the back room of the camper which is almost long enough for an adult human.  And since we recently acquired sewage he will not be tasked with pumping out the camper and hauling the tank it to the camp ground to dump it

[Jim in TC]

We are in the second season with our Sun Cat, so the "new" (to us) has not completely worn off. We are on a waiting list for a slip at the marina an easy bike ride from home, and when we take a 10-day to 2-week transient slip there we are in the boat almost daily. From the slip we can go for just a quick hour or two, whenever in the day the wind/weather and our (retired) schedule permit. If we had to launch for each outing we would go out WAY less often. We pull the boat today and will likely not launch again until late August (after some non-sailing company) and will be ready for frequent sails once again. What will happen when we have a seasonal slip remains to be seen but the "pressure" for going out so often will be reduced. BTW, thanks to Roland of Macatawa for his assist on the last launch!

Our little Holder 12 sits mostly on a trailer in the back yard, though there have been a couple outings so far this summer, in the big wind that makes that boat fun.