birdseyRegistered User |
Last Activity: 13-11-2023 07:25
About Me
- About birdsey
- Vessel Make/ model
- Beneteau Idylle 13.5, C&C 31, and Windrider 16
- Vessel Name
- Freebird
- Location
- Salisbury NC
- Occupation
- Retired Navy and Self employed landlord/investor
- Interests
- Motorcycles, Sailing, guitar, tinkering with "old stuff"
- Biography
- I have a valid passport,
have completed ASA sailing courses through bare-boat chartering. I have owned and maintained large sailboats since 1992. I am an Air Force brat, my father retired and re-settled in MN when I was in my teens so I call that home. I joined the Navy in 1979 and retired in 1999.
My wife and I live in Salisbury NC. She is totally freaked out on the boat so I try to find other people to sail and hopefully cruise with.
Garth Birdsey
Sailing Resume & Personal Information
600 Park Ave, Salisbury NC, 28144
Email: garthbirdsey@hotmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garthbirdsey
Background, Goals & Objectives
I have owned larger sailboats since 1995. I started with a 30 Ferro-cement sailboat that needed the entire cabin rebuilt, Then purchased a 1936 55’ wooden Ketch that was built by Yohan Anker in Norway. This boat ate me alive in maintenance time and expense! I retired from the Navy in 1999 and purchased a 42’ Irwin that was located in Tavernier Florida and lived on board for 3 months before my wife totally freaked out so we sold her ad went Rving full time for a year. Then we bought and operated the the Laurel Springs Lodge B&B in Gatlinburg TN for 7 years. During this time I got the itch again and purchased a 31’ Grampian Classic (notice they are getting smaller instead of bigger!). We sailed the Grampian for a few years in South Florida before I brought it back to TN and it sat on the trailer for several years. About 5 months ago I decided that I have had enough with boats on trailers that I could not sail and decided to purchase a 31’ Dufour which is located near Oriental NC.
My goal is to get some offshore and cruising experience while day sailing my Dufour. I intend to get the Dufour ready for blue water and need the experience to enable me to single-hand if necessary.
I’m married to a wonderful woman who suffers from anxiety too badly to sail. We are still working on making her comfortable onboard. She is supportive of my love of sailing. I’m looking for opportunities to enjoy sailing in areas that I haven’t visited, at a price I can afford and hopefully meet some nice people along the way.
Certifications & Education
ASA 101 - Basic Keelboat 103 – Basic Coastal Cruising ,
104 – Bareboat Cruising , 105 – Coastal Navigation
Completed Associates degree from Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach in Graphics Communication (photography)
Retired from US Navy after 20 years as an Aircraft Electronics Technician Chief. (E7) in 1999.
Currently own and manage five rental house for supplemental income.
My time is very flexible and I have enough income to support my sailing habit!