Took the Plunge!

[markpj23]

After many weeks of pestering the good members of this forum we've gone and done it. Signed the acceptance papers yesterday on our new joy/project/baby/curse/fiberglass-hellhole (choose one).

'Trekker' is an Endeavour 52 now lying New Orleans soon to be recristened 'PJs Song.' (You married types will understand....)

I spent 25 years in the Navy, starting out as a torpedo mechanic of all things... earned a commission and spent 15 years as a deck officer driving the Uncle's ships around the Pacific. Retired 8 years ago and have been pretty much bored ever since

PJ has much more sailing experience than I (zero is a pretty small number) and has lived aboard a Yamaha 35 in the Carribean as well as been professional crew on several megayachts.

Got a long refit list to work through, but we bought her way below market. Seller is a 76yr old circumnavigator who is now just not able to keep up with the maintenance on an otherwise sound sailing yacht. First challenge is to find an operational fuel dock in New Orleans so we can take her to Port Aransas TX.

Glad to be a part of this forum, and to join the owner's ranks. May our paths cross soon....

[NoTies]

Photos or it didn't happen

[Jeff H]

First off congratulations on buying the Endeavour 52. These are a big boat that was pretty poorly built (we've had two Endeavours in our family) so you have your work cut out for you.

Since you are new to sailing I want to point out that it is really bad luck to change the name of a boat, so I advise you to reconsider the proposed renaming of the boat. You may think this is just silly superstition, but I have done scientific research on this subject and it irrefutably is the case. For example, in the 40 years that my family has owned boats my family has owned literally dozens of boats and we changed the name of three of them, that would be the two that lost their rigs and the one that was sunk in a Nor'easter.

I also strongly suggest that what ever else you do, you purchase a smaller boat (ideally a cheap 22 to 27 foot fin keel spade rudder sloop rigged production boat) to learn how to sail and develop boat handling skills. When something goes wrong on a 52 footer, it can maim or kill someone pretty quickly and/or do a huge amount of damage. It is far better to make your mistakes on a smaller boat. Besides having taught well over a 100 people to sail in my life, it is next to imposible to learn to sail well on a boat that size.

Respectfully,
Jeff

[markpj23]

Gee thanks Jeff - who put sour milk in your wheaties this morning?

[Jon D]

Enjoy

[Jim H]

I must be losing it-- I'm beginning to enjoy both the content and the style of Jeff H's posts...

Mark, I think you're lucky that PJ has professional experience because I agree that a 52 could be a handfull, especially in your first gale.

Good luck, and give us updates on your progress!

Jim H

[GordMay]

You’ve got to understand that Jeff is an Architect, which species always speaks in the “Authoritative Declarative” - they say “SHALL” when others might have used ‘can, will, et al’. I think there's a law that prevents Architects from using words such as 'might, maybe', and the like.

He’s also very knowledgeable & experienced, which tends to form opinions.

These traits don’t make for a particularly sensitive writer; but don’t detract from the underlying value of the writings.

Respectfully,
Gord

[capt lar]

Jeff H is superstitious - who would have guessed.
I claim not to be, but I did change my boat's name back to her original and I would not buy a boat with a name I did not like. My view is I don't believe it, but I don't mess with it. Same goes for voodoo. You just don't know. Not sure this falls under the heading of science.
The idea of a smaller boat is a good one, but you don't need to buy, just join some sailing club when convenient or daysail with friends you meet. I think many on larger live aboards will tell you they don't sail their home as often due to the sheer effort it takes. Many have access to a smaller boat just for fun.
Jeff's point about the loads on big boats is valid. It is harder to get out of trouble and failures can be more serious, but it sounds like your wife has sound experience so as long as she feels she can handle it, trust her, not us. Choosing when you go and how you go can keep you safer. Remember she is just a big (if somewhat underpowered) motor boat that came with sails. I am sure you will be conservative as you get to know her.
Congrats on taking the leap. Keep us posted on your progress.

Larry

[BC Mike]

Now lets grab the VHF and say Coast Guard Coast Guard, this is an enemy an enemy over.
Took me about three seconds to remove that name from the new boat.
Also emptied every item on board, to be sure the name is nowhere on the boat.
Now we need a seven letter word that starts with G. G is the first letter of most of the boats I have owned.
Gently, GOFF, Goofey, Gonzo.
" Sinbad Sinbad, this is Grolsch Grolsch, over "
That sounds much better.
The ceremony will take place at launch time in March.
Superstition asside I had to fo it in the name of sanity and security.
Michael

[NoTies]

Isn't there a ceremony for changing a boat's name? Something about sailing backwards so many boat lengths after the change.

[capt lar]

Ghoster, Gregale, Gribble, Growler, Guzzler
Why 7 ?

Larry

[capt lar]

Someone on this forum was changing their boat's name. It was currently "Snapper Catcher", which might work on a center console, but on a sailboat....hmmmm.
Some times you have to tempt the Gods.

Larry

[delmarrey]

http://www.boatus.com/goodoldboat/naming.htm

[gosstyla]

Why 7?

Another superstition. For good luck a boat's name is suppose to be 7 letters long.

[markpj23]

Great article delmarrey! I'll arrange the proper pomp & circumstance and conduct the cermony post haste!

See honey ... I TOLD YOU there was good info to be found here!!