first happy boat owner day (almost)

[Sandero]

Don,

Terrific! Will we run into you in Newport or there abouts?

I have my lists on an excel spread sheet these days and it is broken down by years and seasonal work - Spring Prep, summer projects, and then into the type of projects and so on. What I don't get done in this year goes over to the next year. Some of those items I can't seem to get to if I want to sail.

Plus there is the dock problem since some work on a mooring or anchor is a real PITA. But since I store in water in the winter I need to find a weather window if the project is outside. YIKES.

To Do lists, like wives, you can't live with them or without them.

[Ex-Calif]

Take lots and lots of pictures. The "Best Days" of owning a boat is a misnomer.

When I am working on the broken boat, I come home at night and turn on a slide show from one of our trips, grab a wine and remember how many absolutley spectacular times we have every month and every year!

[MarkJ]

Yeah, I agree with Dan.

The day you buy the boat and day you sell it... the day you buy it is more like a friggin relief than fun. Dunno about selling yet, but its gotta belike a house... relief that the money is finally where its meant to be.

The best days are owning the boat when you forget about the rush rush, and forget about the job list - thats a stupid concept thought out by workaholics to ward off guilt.

The best days are the just doing it days.

Even the spreadsheet nerds (MICHAEL!!!) will enjoy it when the computer is off and their ain't nothing to do but enjoy it

They are the priceless days

And do you know what the most important factor in how many priceless days you have? Your attitude If you really want them, you'll get them



Mark

[sailorboy1]

I hope my list is never to the point that it needs to be on the computer. Heck I mostly stopped making "to do" lists for my job because if it was really important I can remember it. Of course I am changing jobs and tommorow is the last day at GE so if I forgot something what does it matter :-)

[Sandero]

I agree with Mark about getting out an sailing and putting the list aside. Spot on. But to be a responsible owner and a prudent skipper you have to manage the boat and it's maintenance and I don't see how you can avoid lists at some point or another.

Sure you can use post it notes stuck to your bulkhead to remind you to change the oil and filter, order a new zink or whatever, but if you just sail and sail and sail, your boat will go to hell in a hand basket of neglect. Don't spend all your time with to do lists, unless this is what you like to do and I am sure there are many who like working on their boat even more than sailing it. Most of us love to sail, accept the to do list as necessary evil and look for ways to get our homework done fast so we can go out and play.

Spring is starting to make her presence known here in Southern New England and the to do lists come out and work begins!

[sailorboy1]

Mark

Whats up with the "Mark's section about secret mens business..." on your website? I notice there doesn't seem to be any secrets shown! Good thing as we don't need the "others" knowing more than they already do since they already know soooo much more than us.

Don

[gonesail]

ditto on getting out of the rat race!! i can see the light at the end of my tunnel but there are still a few miles to go before i leave this cubicle life. my boat is waiting for me along with the first mate. have fun with your new boat.

[SkiprJohn]

Congrats! I hope you have as many happy days of sailing as I've had on my old boats.
Regards,
JohnL

[jimking100]

Don,
Been away for a couple weeks (mother passed away) but congratulations on your new boat from a fellow Cal 39 owner. I'm located in the Southern Chesapesake Bay area (near Norfolk). Not sure where you will be coming from with your boat but let me know if and when you get in my area. I'll sail out and escort (race) you into a good anchorage.
Best regards,
jim

[sailorboy1]

Jim

Sorry to hear about you Mom!

Boat currently is in Connecticut, but I will be sailing it up to Salem MA in the next couple of weeks. So a race in the Chesaesake is a little out of the way. Might be an interesting race of designers as you have a Lapworth design and I have a Hunt design of the Cal 39