OK, so maybe your boat is on the hard for the winter. Even if you're still in the water, the oven on your Origo or your Force 10 probably isn't big enough for a turkey. So how does a sailor celebrate Thanksgiving? Maybe it's a good time to say thanks to those who have helped make it a good year on the water. Perhaps someone gave you a tow when you needed it. Did a friend give you a hand with a repair or project you couldn't manage yourself? Did someone teach you a new skill? How about your crew who put up with all of your captainly demands this year? Maybe your friends on this site who gave you answers to questions, or moral support when you needed it? Or maybe it's time to simply give thanks for a sailing year that ended safely. Share your stories and notes of thanks here, then vote in the quiz on the bottom of the home page. (Discussion topic and quiz contributed in 2002 by Gary Wyngarden)
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My father-in-law
This year's thanks are very bitter-sweet. My father-in-law - who introduced me to sailing and instilled a love of the sport to this day - is dying of AML - acute myloid leukemia. My boating season was put "on hold" when he was diagnosed and it has been very difficult for all of us in the family. But I'm so very thankful that he got me started in sailing! Bill on STARGAZER
This year's thanks are very bitter-sweet. My father-in-law - who introduced me to sailing and instilled a love of the sport to this day - is dying of AML - acute myloid leukemia. My boating season was put "on hold" when he was diagnosed and it has been very difficult for all of us in the family. But I'm so very thankful that he got me started in sailing! Bill on STARGAZER
Me, myself and I!
I thank God for having discovered sailing as a kid after reading the "Five" books by Enyd Blighton. Everything since I have done for myself as my spouse is not big on sailing. She enjoys a quiet afternoon on the water, but that's it. I'm on my own otherwise, so I thank myself for my blessings, they are home-grown!
I thank God for having discovered sailing as a kid after reading the "Five" books by Enyd Blighton. Everything since I have done for myself as my spouse is not big on sailing. She enjoys a quiet afternoon on the water, but that's it. I'm on my own otherwise, so I thank myself for my blessings, they are home-grown!
Thanks to the Admiral
For talking me into trading in our 2 year old C350 for a new C42. She got more saloon to decorate with pillows and such while I got a longer waterline...win/win.
For talking me into trading in our 2 year old C350 for a new C42. She got more saloon to decorate with pillows and such while I got a longer waterline...win/win.
Thanks to the Admiral
I'm thankful to my wife, the Admiral for many weekends and evenings of nautical bliss onboard our C25. She has grown in her love for sailing and relaxing "on the hook". We look forward to a speedy winter on the hard and another wonderful year on the water.
I'm thankful to my wife, the Admiral for many weekends and evenings of nautical bliss onboard our C25. She has grown in her love for sailing and relaxing "on the hook". We look forward to a speedy winter on the hard and another wonderful year on the water.
Everyone
I thank everyone involved. Some highly paid and others not so. The Marina owners and all the many friends I have made there over the years , The woman I took sailing who fell in love with sailboats and was a real treat to teach, this website and all of the posted questions and anwsers that made me think what I would do in a given situation and a very special thanks to the 24 hour forum which has been so helpful to me. Everything from dealing with ethanol to you name it. You folks all make sailing so much fun.My many thanks to everyone...Smitroe
I thank everyone involved. Some highly paid and others not so. The Marina owners and all the many friends I have made there over the years , The woman I took sailing who fell in love with sailboats and was a real treat to teach, this website and all of the posted questions and anwsers that made me think what I would do in a given situation and a very special thanks to the 24 hour forum which has been so helpful to me. Everything from dealing with ethanol to you name it. You folks all make sailing so much fun.My many thanks to everyone...Smitroe
Thanks for a new beginning.
I'm thankful for a loving and understanding wife who encouraged me to get back to sailing after being away from it for so long a time. I'm thankful to all the other boat owners and marina personnel and forum members who have offered excellent advise. And I'm especially thankful to my boat for being so forgiving because surely she knows that's she's in the hands of a madman who hasn't a clue! and so I raise my glass (Rum of course) and offer " Smooth sailing to all and here's to short winters and long summers"!
I'm thankful for a loving and understanding wife who encouraged me to get back to sailing after being away from it for so long a time. I'm thankful to all the other boat owners and marina personnel and forum members who have offered excellent advise. And I'm especially thankful to my boat for being so forgiving because surely she knows that's she's in the hands of a madman who hasn't a clue! and so I raise my glass (Rum of course) and offer " Smooth sailing to all and here's to short winters and long summers"!
It is a good time to say thanks
even though our Thanksgiving was a month ago. My biggest thanks goes to the many on this forum.. Those that responded directly to my millions of questions and to those that responded to previous questions that I could search ( yes a newbie that used the search function) on all my questions. I could not have gotten out and on the water so soon and as far as we did without the support of the forum. Secondly to the Admiral, without her, it just wouldn't be as fun. ;D Happy Turkey Day !!
even though our Thanksgiving was a month ago. My biggest thanks goes to the many on this forum.. Those that responded directly to my millions of questions and to those that responded to previous questions that I could search ( yes a newbie that used the search function) on all my questions. I could not have gotten out and on the water so soon and as far as we did without the support of the forum. Secondly to the Admiral, without her, it just wouldn't be as fun. ;D Happy Turkey Day !!
The industrial complex & high gas prices
While some have had the time of their life sailing, others have had to for go it this year with the plant closing, layoffs and risng gas prices. Yet some of us refuse to let her go. Although she sets in the barn awaiting the next wind fall there will always be the though of those special days when you and the free wind carry you into the next dream. For this I'm thankful! Maybe the gains of others will invest into the dream of tommrow and share that vision of greater days ahead where we become a nation not of greed but of opportunity. Have many happy holidays hope to see you on the water next year.
While some have had the time of their life sailing, others have had to for go it this year with the plant closing, layoffs and risng gas prices. Yet some of us refuse to let her go. Although she sets in the barn awaiting the next wind fall there will always be the though of those special days when you and the free wind carry you into the next dream. For this I'm thankful! Maybe the gains of others will invest into the dream of tommrow and share that vision of greater days ahead where we become a nation not of greed but of opportunity. Have many happy holidays hope to see you on the water next year.
Greed or Opportunity
To some it's greed, to others, it is truely opportunity. Is your glass half empty or is it half full. This is still the land of opportunity to those with the vision and drive. For that I am truely thankful.
To some it's greed, to others, it is truely opportunity. Is your glass half empty or is it half full. This is still the land of opportunity to those with the vision and drive. For that I am truely thankful.
A local guy I know..
A local guy I know immigrated here, legally, from Bosnia less than ten years ago. When he got here he had less than $80.00 US. Today he owns three companies a rug cleaning business, a limo business (buses, airport trans and traditional stretch) and a taxi business. He started as a taxi driver working 80+ hours per week. He took every shift he could get, mostly the ones his lazy US counterparts did not want, until he had saved enough money to buy his own taxi. He grew from there with hard work and determination. I won't go so far as to say this guy is filthy rich but I would guess he's pulling down well over 250 - 300k per year in income off these businesses and he did it with $80.00 us and ten years of hard work. It irks me to hear Americans claim the reason they are out of work is the greed of others and that there is NO opportunity or option. This truly is a land of opportunity and IS what YOU make of it. If a Bosnian immigrant, who spoke virtually NO English, and was broker than broke, can become very wealthy, in ten years, so can ANY US citizen!! I give thanks for those hard working immigrants, like my rug cleaner/limo/taxi guy who is truly displaying, proving and making America what she really is the land of opportunity!!! I also thank my father for introducing me to boating & sailing at the sprite age of three!
A local guy I know immigrated here, legally, from Bosnia less than ten years ago. When he got here he had less than $80.00 US. Today he owns three companies a rug cleaning business, a limo business (buses, airport trans and traditional stretch) and a taxi business. He started as a taxi driver working 80+ hours per week. He took every shift he could get, mostly the ones his lazy US counterparts did not want, until he had saved enough money to buy his own taxi. He grew from there with hard work and determination. I won't go so far as to say this guy is filthy rich but I would guess he's pulling down well over 250 - 300k per year in income off these businesses and he did it with $80.00 us and ten years of hard work. It irks me to hear Americans claim the reason they are out of work is the greed of others and that there is NO opportunity or option. This truly is a land of opportunity and IS what YOU make of it. If a Bosnian immigrant, who spoke virtually NO English, and was broker than broke, can become very wealthy, in ten years, so can ANY US citizen!! I give thanks for those hard working immigrants, like my rug cleaner/limo/taxi guy who is truly displaying, proving and making America what she really is the land of opportunity!!! I also thank my father for introducing me to boating & sailing at the sprite age of three!
Thanksgiving
Several years ago my best friend and I were looking at a new Tartan 40 on the dock. She was drop dead gorgeous! We both had 30' boats that were 2 years old and good looking boats in their own right. I told my friend that I would give anything for a boat like that Tarten. He thought for a minute and said look at the people who slow down on the road by the marina. They look over at the boats and think, wow, I would give anything for one of those boats, even a small one. He lit his pipe and walked back to his boat. Made me think, and made me embarassed because I did not appreciate what I had. Good object lesson, now I am thankful for what I have. Sure I would love to have a new big boat, but now I've got a 34, that is 2 years old, and it has all the stuff that that Tarten had. Am I thankful? You bet, do I understand what my friend was trying to tell me? Now I do! Happy Thanksgiving everyone, think about what you have, and give thanks!
Several years ago my best friend and I were looking at a new Tartan 40 on the dock. She was drop dead gorgeous! We both had 30' boats that were 2 years old and good looking boats in their own right. I told my friend that I would give anything for a boat like that Tarten. He thought for a minute and said look at the people who slow down on the road by the marina. They look over at the boats and think, wow, I would give anything for one of those boats, even a small one. He lit his pipe and walked back to his boat. Made me think, and made me embarassed because I did not appreciate what I had. Good object lesson, now I am thankful for what I have. Sure I would love to have a new big boat, but now I've got a 34, that is 2 years old, and it has all the stuff that that Tarten had. Am I thankful? You bet, do I understand what my friend was trying to tell me? Now I do! Happy Thanksgiving everyone, think about what you have, and give thanks!
Living a Dream
Ever since I remember I was one of those that would pass by a yacht club and dream about cruising in a sailboat. I sailed a dingy for 20 years (CL-16) and three years ago bought my first cabin boat (Macgregor 25). Every time I'm out on her on a warm evening with a brisk breeze it still feels like a dream! Spending a few days with my three (grown) sons cruising in the 1000 Islands (Ontario, Canada) this past summer was unbelievable! I thank God for the health and opportunity to own and enjoy my own boat. What a blessing!
Ever since I remember I was one of those that would pass by a yacht club and dream about cruising in a sailboat. I sailed a dingy for 20 years (CL-16) and three years ago bought my first cabin boat (Macgregor 25). Every time I'm out on her on a warm evening with a brisk breeze it still feels like a dream! Spending a few days with my three (grown) sons cruising in the 1000 Islands (Ontario, Canada) this past summer was unbelievable! I thank God for the health and opportunity to own and enjoy my own boat. What a blessing!
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