My Uncle and Aunt spent a lot of time sailing the Chesapeake Bay area. It is his fault that I was bit by the cruising bug. I learned a lot of my knowledge on cruising from him. They have sailed to just about every corner in the Chesapeake Bay. Because they had a job that allowed it, college professors, they would often spend weeks and sometimes as long as a month out before they would go home for a week to make sure the house was okay and then go back out again. They have been doing this since I was 8 years old and he is the first person who took me sailing.
When I was doing a lot of my cruising in my last three sailboats I would often meet up with them in various places. We really liked hanging out at Solomons Island, Smith Creek, Prices Cove, and numerous other places.
I received a call last week that was sad to hear. He stated that he is putting his boat on the market. He and my Aunt feel like they are getting upwards in age and their confidence is suffering. He said it was a hard decision that they wrestled with for quite sometime. I understand what he is saying but it still hurts in some ways.
I knew that this day was coming. I was hoping to get my next boat while they were still cruising and have a few more memorable raft-ups. While they were out cruising and I was stuck at work I would often call them to warn them of weather that was approaching or just to hear what they were up to.
With my daughter being almost 5 months I am hopeful that she will enjoy sailing. I want to get her out sailing sooner than later but I am thinking that this season isn't the right time. Maybe next season will work out. Who knows but I can see that my buying budget will be pretty low, under about $9,000 most likely. I will stay small but not too small as my last cruising boat proved that I require a diesel, standing headroom, a separate head, and I prefer a wheel.
I guess my point is that Finally II, my Uncle's boat, will be on the market soon. He will no longer be cruising the Bay and that is a sad day. It reminds me of when I learned that Java Jim Seamans was no longer going to be sailing either (I miss him being out there too). Really, it takes some of the wind out of your sails to see friends that you sail with, meet up with, and enjoy no longer sailing.
Anyone else have similar thoughts?
When I was doing a lot of my cruising in my last three sailboats I would often meet up with them in various places. We really liked hanging out at Solomons Island, Smith Creek, Prices Cove, and numerous other places.
I received a call last week that was sad to hear. He stated that he is putting his boat on the market. He and my Aunt feel like they are getting upwards in age and their confidence is suffering. He said it was a hard decision that they wrestled with for quite sometime. I understand what he is saying but it still hurts in some ways.
I knew that this day was coming. I was hoping to get my next boat while they were still cruising and have a few more memorable raft-ups. While they were out cruising and I was stuck at work I would often call them to warn them of weather that was approaching or just to hear what they were up to.
With my daughter being almost 5 months I am hopeful that she will enjoy sailing. I want to get her out sailing sooner than later but I am thinking that this season isn't the right time. Maybe next season will work out. Who knows but I can see that my buying budget will be pretty low, under about $9,000 most likely. I will stay small but not too small as my last cruising boat proved that I require a diesel, standing headroom, a separate head, and I prefer a wheel.
I guess my point is that Finally II, my Uncle's boat, will be on the market soon. He will no longer be cruising the Bay and that is a sad day. It reminds me of when I learned that Java Jim Seamans was no longer going to be sailing either (I miss him being out there too). Really, it takes some of the wind out of your sails to see friends that you sail with, meet up with, and enjoy no longer sailing.
Anyone else have similar thoughts?