Heart Goes Pitter Patter

[Greene]

Feeling left out of the sailing season so far, I drove by our favorite boat launch today just to be near the water.  While I enjoyed the beautiful scenery a gorgeous old ketch launched in preparation of going to her mooring ball for the season.  There is just something about these classic old girls that draw at my heart strings.  I just smile at their beautiful sheer lines and all the wonderful woodwork.  Someday when I am fully retired and the desire for long distance sailing has been quenched, I hope to own a beauty like this.  I see one like this and I can't help but daydream about having that main sheet and tiller in my hands on a perfect sailing day.



Mike

[Bob23]

I agree, Mike. But can you just see yourself on a warm sunny day sanding and varnishing those masts? And when your'e done, you'll be starting on the exterior brightwork, all 5 million miles of it. Sanding, varnishing, sanding, varnishing, sanding, varnishing....
Let me know when you get your boat...I'll enjoy admiring her.
But seriously, they are beautiful and some people don't mind investing the time, energy and money. I agree- if I were retired I might take that route...or just enjoy sailing my 23!
Bob23..she is a real beauty, eh?

[Greene]

Yes Bob, a beauty like that requires a bit of love and attention.  Fortunately I find peace, relaxation and a feeling of accomplishment when I am creating or maintaining something I appreciate.  Fixing toilets, hanging cabinets, roof repair, yard work, car maintenance.... not so much.  Give me a leisurely weekend afternoon touching up varnish on a piece of art like that beauty anytime.  

Mike

[InertBert]

I'd like to see a poll of people who own boats like that.  When all was said and done, would they say it was worth it to own and maintain?  or would they say it was just too much work?

[Bob23]

   They are indeed a labor of love. We on our 23's have only a sampling of that labor of love. I must admit I don't begrudge Koinoina of the time it takes to  maintain her brightwork. Sure, I invest hours and sweat but it's all worth it when the sun is reflecting off that perfect brightwork while on a broad reach on a 15 knot day.  She's a proper yacht worthy of the attention.
   I'm glad that some folks don't mind owning and maintaining wooden boats. And I too, love having a leisurely afternoon toucing up varnish. Just not every weekend afternoon. I know of too many people who have become slaves to thier boats just so guys like me can admire them.
   Bert: That would be an interesting poll. I don't think a boat like that is for everyone so it's good to know who you are before you buy. Me, I'll take a fiberglass boat with just enough teak to make her look classic anytime.
Bob23   

[DougN]

I'm in Mike's camp on this subject.I worked part-time on other people's wooden boats when I was younger(a lot younger)and loved every minute.Like Mike I always thought when I retired I would have the time to devote to an old classic.Now that I've finally retired I have the time but unfortunately not the stamina,so I'll continue to "admire from afar".The Tall Ships are coming here to Bay City this summer so I can at least get a temporary fix........Doug

[brackish]

I'm definitely in Mike's camp on this one.  With a caveat of course.  My 23 is 38 miles away, in the water, so to do any maintenance requires a lot of planning, loading of stuff, and a 76 mile roundtrip drive.  That adds an element of irritation to what would normally be relaxing for me.  I would love to be a liveaboard on a classic, with all my stuff in a dockbox right next to the boat.  Then instead of getting up and facing the trimming of shrubs and cutting of grass it would be work on this little patch of wood......

Haven't gotten Admiral Sheri to warm up to that liveaboard thing yet, but hope springs eternal.

[Billy]

Only thing better than a beautiful sailboat is sailing a beautiful sailboat.

And either way as long as you are enjoying your time on/with the boat. Who cares what people on other boats (or the shore)think about your boat. I bought mine for me, not them. Although I do enjoy the compliments, I would rather be sailing.

[HideAway]

Like art part of the wonder of it is an appreciation of how much effort goes into it.   Personally I'd rather be appreciating a ripping reach with full main and genny than varnishing any thing any time -- And I write  this with HideAway's tiller hanging in the garage trying to dry the third coat of varnish.   M

[HeaveToo]

Beautiful boat.  That has to be a labor of love because that would be really labor intensive boat to upkeep!

[kickingbug1]

    i wonder when those guys actually have time to sail

[capt_nemo]

For those of us sailors who enjoy "working" on boats ALMOST as much as we enjoy sailing them, it is a matter of achieving some sort of "balance" between the two activities. That "balance" can, and very likely would, be different among individuals who are so inclined.

It is difficult, if next to impossible, to describe with words the feelings  experienced by the sailor who "works" on his/her own boat to improve safety, comfort, efficiency, appearance, etc.. Terms like "satisfaction", "sense of accomplishment", "joy", "happiness", "pride", all the way to "self actualization" in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, all seem inadequate if used for this purpose.

Suffice it to say then, that the feelings experienced by the sailor who "works" on his/her own boat are, in fact, indescribable. And, furthermore, for a sailor to even begin to appreciate such indescribable feelings he/she need only try it, to see how it "speaks" to them!

capt_nemo

[InertBert]

I procrastinate from my "real" work by "working" on my boat, but I'd still rather be sailing then sanding any afternoon.

[Bob23]

Nemo:
   Maybe that's why I'm still not in the water yet...having too much fun working on the boat! Hmmm...never looked at it that way.
   Truth is, work gets in the way of real life sometimes. I'm hoping for a Friday June 21st launch date. This is the absolute latest I've ever been in.
   I usually have my to-do list which I whittle away at during the winter. And I do so enjoy working on the boat that I can get carried away at adding to the list and thereby postponing the launch date forever! But, my 23 was made to sail and sail she will! Just the other day she remarked to me: "Enough puttzing around already...let's get in the water!".
Bob23

[kickingbug1]

    having spent a year and a half restoring a 52 ford truck i think that all the "fun" hours i spent solving problems and "re-inventing the wheel" were worth it when i stand back and see what i have accomplished. the real fun is had when i turn the key and hit the starter button. every sailboat is a piece of art. something missing from power (excepting wooden craft) and when we fix or invent something we can stand back and feel pride and with the cooperation of the weather taste the fruit of our labors and the heartbeat is sweeter