Introduction

[smithy]

Good evening. My name is Chris, and I currently live in Alexandria, VA. I've just picked up an old Venture 22 (Macgregor) from 1972, that needs some extensive restoration. While I love to sail, this is my first sailboat of my own. Part of my plan is to use it to support another activity of mine, working with the Boy Scouts. I've been running a High Adventure trip for our troop, as well as a couple others, for the last 8 years now - and have been a scouter for almost 20. We're going with a pirate theme this year, and the thought of having a sailboat at our disposal was just too appealing to pass up.

I've been on boats since I was 3, running the outboard while grandparents and parents fished, swimming ever since I can remember, and very at-home on the water. I've had canoes with the scouts and my own kids for the last decade now, and for 12 years I've been renting sailboats annually in San Diego when I travel there for work.

As an avid outdoorsman, I consider my navigational skills to be "up there", both on land and at sea. As a professional geographer, I'm very familiar with maps and charts, GPS, coordinate systems, and navigational astronomy. My repair skills are adequate, being comfortable around wood, fiberglass, glass repair, and even some gelcoat. I'm no good with an engine, at least not intuitively, though I understand the basics and can turn a wrench as well as the next man.


My other hobbies are varied; I enjoy playing music on a number of instruments, though the bass guitar is my focus these days... I also am a semi-professional knifemaker, hence the username, and hope to make a living at that activity when I'm done working in an office someday.


I've been reading a lot on this board, and find it well-informed, busy enough, and pleasantly organized. I hope to get to know this community over the coming years.

- Chris

[Unicorn Dreams]

Welcome aboard,
This is a great forum where the members talk to you and not at you. Makes a very pleasant community.
And a great deal of knowledge and opinions to be had here..

[boatman61]

Good to have a 'Promoter of Sail' on board..... Welcome...

[smithy]

Thanks. I really am in love with the power of wind. Can't wait for a couple warm weeks, so I can get some work done on my little hole in the water.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Chris.

Great introduction!

[Ed_Sail]

Hi Smithy,

Welcome to the forum - I'm close by (generally) and happy to assist if you need another pair of hands on some of the reno.

E

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Good to have you here and if there are any questions about the maintenance or repair of your new boat please ask. There are other forums here that can help with your engine too. Use the search link after my signature.
kind regards,