It is over

[Topaz]

Well my sailing days are over. It took me 20 years to save the $20,000 to buy my sail boat “O’day 27 Topaz III”. Rigged it for single handing all halyards aft had two spped winches. I had some fun times and some worrying times, sailed up and down Vancouver island, took my grandchildren out. Last year my grandson and I spent 16 days straight out on the boat without touching dry land.

I have not been able to find moorage so I had it tied to a pillar in Ladysmith. My boat was robbed three time in a row the first they took the motor then cut the locks off and cleaned out everything even the v-birth cushions, quarter birth cushions, radio, emergency gear, all my scuba gear, all my charts, books and even the survey papers.

I took my grandson with me to move it to Nanaimo where I planned to anchor it. When we were dropped off and paddled out to it found that the anchors had been stolen. I used my 7.5 plastic dingy to tow the boat out into the channel and hoisted the sails. Very little wind it took 16 hours to sail about 15 miles during the night mostly drifted with the tide. Next day the wind got up and was able to tack and start making good time. Sailed around the Secretary Island and hit the tides just about perfect to get through Porlter Passage, sail right through. Sailed up and around into Departure bay but the wind dropped off and was drifting into the ferry traffic route so tried to tow it again with the dingy. After dark a I was rescued and towed to a dock.

Now what do I do? I couldn’t anchor it and I couldn’t keep it tied up to this dock. Next morning I talked to a few people and ended up selling the boat for $5,000. . . .

Ladysmith has to do something about the live-a-board bums and drug users

So I will not be venturing out again. . . Bye all.

 

[r.w.landau]

Well I think I read this about 4 hours ago....

I still don't have any great words. Since none else did, I thought I would express some sorrow for the situation. I am sorry that you feel it is over.
Topaz, Those 16 days were memories that your grandson will always retain, as will he remember the last 16 hours.
I hope you will be able to sail on his boat! I am sure you have infected him with the boat disease.
I have a friend and two sons that I took sailing and over night. The one son said to his dad, ok that was great can we get a sailboat? His father said," it was a great time on the boat. If we buy a boat what will we miss in other experiences? A boat can take alot of time, preparing it, maintaining it, worrying about it. If we can go on a boat once or twice a year, wouldn't that be better?" As much as I like my boat, I do find his words revieling.
Topaz, The best to you!Sounds like you are putting family in your routine.
sincerely,
r.w.landau

 

[Joe11688]

I am so sorry to hear about this. I understand how you feel. This has been my biggest worry at our club. We've been hit by river pirates a couple of times a few years ago, but not recently. You're absolutely right though, it's all about drugs. Right now, these crooks in my city are stealing Catalytic converters out of vehicles, GPS's, and copper and aluminum from houses. Do me a favor though. Don't completely give up on boats just yet. You can still get some pleasure out of a smaller trailerable sailboat that you can use whenever you want, and know that it's safe at your home in your driveway. Pick up a copy of this month's Small Craft Adviser and check it out. If anything, it will keep up your interest in boats. I'm getting to a point in my life where smaller is going to be easier, cheaper, with less maintenance as I approach Geezerdom. Good Luck!
Joe