It happened

[Bad Obsession]

So I went through a lot of soul searching and I ended up selling my Compac 23 this past summer. I went out on a trip and realized how small she was and really just missed my previous boat, the Catalina 30.

I knew that some big events were upcoming in my life and I wouldn't have the time to dedicate to maintaining and using my sailboat. It was a hard decision but I ended up selling and I bought a bay boat for the time being. I really miss sailing but I know that I won't have the time to do it for a while.

A big part of the upcoming life events just happened. My wife and I are having a baby. The due date is July 27, 2018. It is scary and exciting all at the same time.

I don't know how long I can last without a sailboat. I REALLY miss it and I want my kid to experience cruising but for the first few years it wouldn't work out. At least I have a few friends to sail with when the itch gets too bad! So for a while I will do my quick day fishing trips and daydream about sailing.

One last parting thought. It is very hard to downsize down to a boat in the 23 foot range when you were use to a bigger boat. I found the 23 closed in on my quickly. I liked to take longer trips and not being able to stand, having a separate head, and not having some of the other creature comforts that I was use to really began to wear on my quickly.

 

[uncledom]

Congrats on the kid and shame on you for raising him/her in a stinkier world.

 

[Will Gilmore]

CONGRATULATIONS!

!

- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[kloudie1]

Congratulations!.. Having kids is an interesting life change .. I love my two boys to tears!.. I had a Spirit 23 when they were born.. Had a big shift to make from weekending to day sailing.. then as they got older, there was no time for sailing..boat sat for months sometimes with no use.. I think you made a good choice .. you'll be back!

 

[Ken13559]

BO, Congrats to you and wife for coming bundle of joy. You may get sailboat withdrawal but believe me you'll forget about all these sailing when your baby smiles at you. Enjoy parenthood!

 

[Kermit]

Congratulations!

P.S. Kids are the only thing more expensive than a free boat that is actually worth every penny!

 

[Will Gilmore]

Kids are the only thing more expensive than a free boat that is actually worth every penny!

AGREED! , but they will make you question that statement more than a boat will.

You will have fun.

- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[rgranger]

Hey B.O.

Congrats! And in a two very short years, you will be taking that kid for his/her first overnight on a sailboat. It will be magic and much better than you remember. Take notes on each adventure and archive them. I have an entire folder on my computer full of the stories chronicling the adventures I have had with my kids on my sailboats. I truly love reading them over from time-to-time.

r

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Congrats. I am really happy for you. If you want to bring the family here, just let me know.
Uncle Crazy Dave

 

[capta]

Two days after my first kid was born, she was aboard the boat. Three months later she was sailing to Tahiti from Hawaii and spent the next 12 years of her life aboard various boats with me, all over the world. Eventually she had to go to school, so she spent 4 years in a Swiss boarding school, where she got as good as or a better education than she could get in 8 years in the US, and moved back to the boat trilingual.
Don't ever let people tell you that having kids means your dreams have to be put on hold for the next 18 years. And boats kids grow up to be great people.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Congratulations. Don't let the wife or kid cramp your style.

 

[jssailem]

Congratulations. It is a great time in your life. You can have all the toys and experiences, just in moderation. Maybe a day sailor or wind surfer till they are out of diapers, then grow with them.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I am thinking about 5 years before I start to push to move back to a cruising boat. Then again, that is all dependent on funds and I know that having a family will suck up every additional bit of funds up. Where there is a will, there is a way though.

I really thought about picking up a laser or a sunfish but I am still in the mindset that I really don't care to daysail. I at least like to go out for a night, hopefully more. I like being dry these days and I like being able to stand up, move around, and have some creature comforts. It is best when there is a destination, even better when it is a really cool destination.

So for the time being I will concentrate on my day toys, the bay boat and the kayak. I still love to fish and this still is a way to get out on the water. These take a lot less time and maintenance than my sailboats ever did. It just isn't the trips that take up time with the sailboat, it is the haul outs, the winterizations, the bright work, and all of the other routine maintenance that most of us fight with and that takes time away from the sailing. If I have a boat I hate to see it sit and I really can't stand for it not to get the care and maintenance it needs. It is heartbreaking to walk around marinas and see boats that are neglected and I really didn't want to have one of those boats.

 

[Stu Jackson]

It is heartbreaking to walk around marinas and see boats that are neglected and I really didn't want to have one of those boats.

Excellent thoughts. Well put.

 

[njlarry]

The first time you see your new son or daughter, all thoughts of sailing will be put in proper prospective. You have many years ahead to cruise the world. You are so lucky to have a child, enjoy him or her and everything else will fall in place in due season. They are so little for such a little time. Listen to them and they will they you their own needs.
God bless and post some pics of the first days.

 

[Will Gilmore]

Don't ever let people tell you that having kids means your dreams have to be put on hold for the next 18 years. And boats kids grow up to be great people.

Absolutely. Not only that, but a sailboat is a great place to educate children in an environment where the important lessons in academe can be practically applied. Maths and Science are obvious. Language and History are there in the research of ports of call, and maritime regs are great metaphors for social etiquette. Kids who live aboard are exposed to a variety of culture that makes them into considerate and sophisticated adults.
They don't get derailed by spending most of their time exposed to wild groups of children who don't know how to behave around adults.
Consider it.

- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[Scotty C-M]

Three kids - sons - and a Catalina 30. Spent a lot of time with the family on the boat. Eithor way, congratulations on your child!!

 

[NotCook]

And in a two very short years, you will be taking that kid for his/her first overnight on a sailboat. It will be magic

Same for grandkids. Here’s an example. This little guy is now 16. He was our most loyal crew member, followed by his mom. When we cast off two years ago to sail down to the Caribbean, he actually cried - because we were taking the boat...