Meet a new friend, and so long to a family member

H

hardee

New member
We just got home this evening from a trip to Portland, OR where we met a very nice young gentleman -- Matt, who came up from somewhere close to San Fransico to take our "Pelican" home with him. Our Montgomery 15, #348, is off to a new home. Wonderful young family, and head over heals in love with our little sailboat. They are not new to sailing, having owned a previous Lyle Hess design, NorSea27, and then a Halberg-Rassy 37, they are graduating to the M-15.

It is not every day we sell a boat. This is only the 4th in my lifetime, including a couple of canoes. Mixed emotions seem to be the rule of the day. We became engaged on this boat. We have spent many happy days, and nights aboard, covered many miles, and several at about 60MPH, met many great friends, and even shared some rides in the expansive cockpit.

But it was time to go. A boat should not languish in abject neglect, but should be loved, cared for and used. It was time for a new chapter in Pelicans life. She has matured, displayed a shining personality, and exemplerary manners, and now she is gone. Gone to race in the (SF) bay, gone to sail under the (GG) bridge, and gone to the warm country. The waters will be salty, the wind may be crisp, but the hands will be gentle, and the company will be fine. We will miss the beautiful lines, and the lapping rides, but it does our hearts good to see the new life spring up in the tides of the estuary east of the bay.

And we couldn't just let go without planting some seeds. Matt did spend some time looking at the C-Brat site, and at the SleepyC album, and yes he was impressed by the boats, and now he knows that sailers can come over. He has a standing invite to come north again, (Since this was his first time north of the CA OR border.) We may not sail any more, but we do still love it. We may not do it anymore, but we can still appreciate the sounds, sights, and feelings of the wind power.

So long Pelican, and nice to meet you Matt.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Harvey-

Beautifully written!

Thoughtful, reflective, and sincere!

Those of us who have been there and done that with a boat we have loved cherished, and cared for like that share your feelings! :rainbow

Thanks! :thup :thup :thup

Joe. :teeth
 
Good morning Harvey,

Some of us definitely understand. It was a small sailboat that convinced us that easy trailering and set up was a very desirable attribute. We sold the trimaran after ordering Wild Blue, but we kept the SunCat. It was the idea that would could still sail whenever we wanted. It was a great little boat, a Clark MIlls design that just felt right. When the wind was howling, you could quickly put in a reef and you were good to go. Toss a cooler onboard, hitch it up, and hit the road.

After Wild Blue, the SunCat spent a lot of time in the driveway. But, it was there if I wanted to go out. Even when I had both boats in the water, the C-Dory provided more creature comforts, so it was my choice. The last time I sailed the SunCat, I knew it was time to find her a new home; one where she would get the use she deserved. I kept her waxed, put Cetol Light on her brightwork. What used to be "messing about" became a chore. It was sad to help hook her up to someone else's vehicle and watch her drive away. For the first time in years, I couldn't call myself a sailor.

For many of us, the boats really are a part of the family. We name them; plan our activities around them. We depend on them them to keep us comfortable and bring us safely home. And in return, we give them the care and upkeep they need. I get it, Harvey, and I appreciate what you're feeling.

I have since snagged rides on OPB (other people's boats), and the sailing still feels good. When the temperature and wind conditions are just perfect, I think about another sailboat, but then too much wind or not enough wind or blowing rain or scorching sun or chilly temps brings me around. :wink:

There's something to be said for spending $25 in fuel for four months of daily sailing. And something to be said for turning on the wipers and firing up the Wallas, heading out when you want. Even retired, I don't have the time to use and maintain two boats. So, you make choices... what works best for you and what's good for the boats... boats that have been a part of the family.

Yesterday while out on Wild Blue, we watched a sailboat race. When the race was over, most of the boats headed in. Some pretty boats racing - a Tartan, a Beneteau, and my favorite: a Bristol 32 ketch that I've sailed on. Pretty sure I could make a phone call and snag a ride, but we were having a great day on our C-Dory... no destination, no race course, no protests. 8) Yeah, some parts about it that I don't miss. Some Radio Margaritaville and dolphin watching is even easier when you can hold yourself in the breeze or just shift it into neutral and drift. Time on the water is good.

Happiness is being able to enjoy what you have.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Thanks y'all. The old Drascombe Lugger has been sitting for ~ 10yrs in my shop, today a guy is coming to thump the hull - she needs wind in her sails !
 
Harvey, that's two of us that have parted with our Montgomery's. I still miss mine! After 17 years of sailing fun, the boat was a part of me.

Sojornen just went to Salem, but she went to a good home.

If you need to commiserate, give me a shout!

Kind Regards,

Steve
 
Harvey,
Add one more to the list. Sold our MG 15 about 15 years ago. She took good care of us in all conditions and I still catch myself re-living some of our experiences on her. Very capable and endearing boats!
 
I have a Lyle Hess design sitting up side down on my dock. I'll not sell it--after I am gone, Marie will find some deserving person. This boat has some further significance for me, since I purchased it from a member of the Hess Family, who were good friends of mine.
 
A few years back we sold our Sundowner Tug - "because we just didn't have the time to use like we wanted". We loved that boat and had a very hard time selling it. Ours kids grew up on that boat. The plan was to simplify our life and go boatless.

Well, it took just over a month to sell the Sundowner Tug and within an hour after we closed on the Tug sale - I faxed in our purchase agreement for our 2008 CD22.

Hate to say it, but we love the CD22 even more - I guess just like high school were the current girlfriend/boyfriend is always to best ever.

We now think, why didn't we do this sooner...
 
Talk about getting sentimental about your sailboat............

I had a wooden cold-molded mahogany FJ dinghy with African Flame Grained Mahogany outer skins made in Holland by Van Dusseldorp that I raced from 1975 until 1995. Made just like a fine violin, or, more appropriately, due to it's size, a bass violin!

Refinished it every year as a winter project. Went from spar varnish, to clear two-part epoxy, and finally to two part polyurethane!

Swore I'd never part with that boat, and that I'd be buried in it some day as a coffin! ......... Sailing on into the afterlife! :lol:

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I told Matt that there were a bunch of sailers on here, and several who had Montgomery's. I don't know if we ever become "not sailers" anymore even though we go down to the sea in power boats, there is an understanding there that never leaves. Whether it is sensing the wind, or, to me, the feeling of the motion and the sound of the rigging, I hope it stays, because it is like the taste of a fine dark chocolate; it leaves that warm all over glow. Nice, but still available when we go inside, close the door and turn on the Wallas. A sailer yes, but now I sail to the tune of the iron jenny, and the heel I feel is in carving a turn, and crossing a wake. The glow may be different, but it is still a glow.

And the tide continues to ebb and flow.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Harvey,
You put it perfectley, almost. Dark chocolate is terrible, milk chocolate a bit better, vanilla is where it's at!!! Call me Plain Jane (Jim).
 
Harvey,
Got to thinking about my comment and feel the need to make my reply clear. My ultimate is vanilla with natural vanilla beans and NO guar gum. Just like we used to make in the old crank drum with rock salt. Had to eat it fast because it melted fast without all the stabilizers in "modern" ice-cream. Sorry, the best dark chocolate tastes to me, way too close to baking chocolate! Funny, how tastebuds differ within one species!!!
 
hardee":26pjoxda said:
I told Matt that there were a bunch of sailers on here, and several who had Montgomery's. I don't know if we ever become "not sailers" anymore even though we go down to the sea in power boats, there is an understanding there that never leaves. Whether it is sensing the wind, or, to me, the feeling of the motion and the sound of the rigging, I hope it stays, because it is like the taste of a fine dark chocolate; it leaves that warm all over glow. Nice, but still available when we go inside, close the door and turn on the Wallas. A sailer yes, but now I sail to the tune of the iron jenny, and the heel I feel is in carving a turn, and crossing a wake. The glow may be different, but it is still a glow.

And the tide continues to ebb and flow.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Click to expand...

Harvey, I hope that I will pick up another Montgomery in the not too distant future. The next one will probably be a 17 so that I will be a bit more comfortable in the cabin. And I don't think we ever lose the glow. I've had it for half a century...
 
You put it perfectley, almost. Dark chocolate is terrible, milk chocolate a bit better, vanilla is where it's at!!! Call me Plain Jane (Jim).
Click to expand...

Jon, I only eat the Dark chocolate for health reasons :wink I really have to force myself to get in the 3 oz per day :twisted: , required for antioxidant and xanthene levels to remain at an adequate level :wink: :roll:

Steve, I'll keep you in mind if I see a 17 available.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
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