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alx · 12-03-2015, 20:04

Hi all! I've been a lurker here for a while and figured I should finally introduce myself. My name's Alex, and I live in San Francisco.

So a bit of background about me, I guess (apologies if this is a bit long!). I came to sailing a few years ago, througha Groupon offer for basic keelboat lessons I bought on a whim. I thought I should probably try sailing since I live in such a popular place for it.

Needless to say I was hooked from the first day. I threw myself into this new hobby, taking lessons through Basic Coastal Cruising. Around that time (about 6 months after my first exposure), after an evening on the phone of excitedly describing every aspect of one class's trip, my father asked me if I was planning on buying a boat. "No way," was my immediate response. "Too expensive, too time consuming, better to just charter." Well, that night I started browsing Craigslist just to get an idea of what it would really take. I found one listing that I liked, and then another. Within a couple weeks I had called a few owners and toured some boats, all the while debating with friends what kind of vessel I should aspire to own.

Then I came across a J/30 for sale in Richmond, that had been a dock queen for years. It seemed to hit the sweet spot of everything I wanted: fast enough to be fun, stable enough to be safe, and roomy enough to be comfortable for "camping" overnight. The survey came back with a long list of problems - no working electronics, crack under the mast step, rigging issues, worn out sails, cracked engine exhaust manifold, just to name a few. Still, the survey got me a sizable discount on the sale price, and I figured I could fix it up for not much more, so I pulled the trigger. J/30 #140 Chanson, soon to be rechristened Ananda, was mine.

Naiveté is bliss.

Fast forward almost three years. Ananda is in much better shape, with new sails and rigging, a repaired mast step, and a litany of other improvements. The first year I tackled all the safety issues, the second year brought many improvements to her "sailing quality". This winter I've undertaken a huge number of projects to really round out her abilities and aesthetics. I work at a desk all day during the week, it's nice to do something with my hands on the weekend.

So! Some pictures.

Here's me aboard the boat just after I got it:

Here she is looking sharp one evening:

Sailing back home after an epic day on the bay:

And finally, after the latest round of work:

So anyway, it's nice to meet you all! I've been lurking on this forum for a long time now and figured it's about time I start contributing and meeting more sailors both local and afar. And if you live in San Francisco or happen to be visiting, feel free to shoot me a message and we can go sailing - I'm always happy to have new friends aboard!

ravinracin · 12-03-2015, 22:27

Welcome. That's a nice looking boat.
This forum has been great for me.

**JPA Cate** · 12-03-2015, 23:43

What a lovely intro!

Good on ya! Boat's looking smart, and there's heaps of folks on the Bay for you to be friends with.

Jim and I used to sail a 30 footer there, liked Paradise Cay as an anchoring destination, but my, does the current flow through there at springs!

Enjoy, and welcome aboard,

Ann

**GordMay** · 13-03-2015, 03:10

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Alex.

**Paul Elliott** · 13-03-2015, 10:01

Hi Alex, it's good to see you here!

**Don C L** · 13-03-2015, 14:20

Great! Wow when you go for a first boat you don't fool around! Have you gone out of the bay yet?

**boatman61** · 13-03-2015, 14:28

Hey Alex.. Welcome to CF..
Enjoy your summer cruisin...

alx · 13-03-2015, 17:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don C L

Great! Wow when you go for a first boat you don't fool around! Have you gone out of the bay yet?

I haven't - really it's only been this year that I've gotten the boat set up for more than just daysailing. I hope to do short trips to Half Moon Bay, etc at some point - depending on circumstances and time off of work.