This is how she was when she arrived home - full of potential and a rotten plywood. A good lesson in not purchasing without inspecting.
So it was 'needs must'. Here she is all frames and chines and still more plywood to come off!
Fully restored and ready to go. I had a great time rebuilding and racing this little boat.
But sadly I was too heavy and physically too big for the boat so I reluctantly advertised her for sale on NZTadeMe.
Today the new owners - The Kerikeri yacht club came to pick her up. They will use as part of their highly successful childrens Learning To Sail programme. I don't think I could have wished for a better home for her. I am very glad she will be continually sailed rather than sitting somewhere deteriorating.
........... and then she was gone ....... into the night on her way north. Sad, but it's good not to get too attached to things - even a boat that I put my heart and soul into restoring.
6 comments:
Letting go of a boat that you've pumped that much energy into is difficult. But I think your current dinghy is a better fit.
Bittersweet I know, but think of all the kids who will enjoy the fruits of your labour...
George, you are absolutely correct, my Zephyr 'Slipstream' is far more suitable. The difference when I first sailed the Zephyr was very apparent - 'easy peasy' in contrast to the cramped cockpit etc of the Starling.
Paul, "bittersweet" sums it up well. If I had a huge barn or a workshop the size of an aircraft hanger I would have kept her and sailed her occasionally. She was being stored in the country in a large shed on my sons property - safe enough but risking being forgotten and ending up with a family of mice or birds taking up residence in the cockpit. I am happy knowing she will get sailed a great deal at Kerikeri in the KYCs sailing programme. It would be good to see her sailing in a few years time, being constantly used and maintained well.
They say the two happiest days in a boat owners life are the day he buys a boat, and the day he sells it... but I've never found that to be the case for the latter... it may be an inanimate object but we put our hearts in to them so of course they take on personality and identity...
Steve, there is an element of truth in that saying as there is truth in another that you will know:
'Sailing is a bit like standing in a cold shower tearing up 100 dollar / pound notes.'
There is a certain amount of truth to that one as well. Yet we also can enjoy many seasons of warm summer winds without spending much money and selling a good boat can feel like farewelling an old and trusted friend.
Post a Comment