New kid on the block

[Middleson]

I live in East Hawaii. I know basicly nothing about sailing. However, it has always interested me. I joined to learn a little about it, or maybe more.

My father introduced me to sailing decades ago when I was in elementary school. A couple of times he loaded the family into our old station wagon and drove us from our home in Northern Illinois to Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. He rented a small sailboat. We spent the day plying the waters of the lake. I sat on the bow with my feet dangling over the edge. I loved it. Never been on a sailboat since.

My father had learned to sail during WWII. He was stationed in Panama. He had a friend from Florida. Together they scrounged enough stuff to build a small sailboat, christened "Scraps." Later one of my older brothers bought him a set of plans for a Lightning. My father said that he would name it "Scraps II." Every once in a while he would pull those plans out and spreed them on top of the kitchen table. We would talk about sailing for a while. He would talk about a Lightning regatta that he had read about in a magazine or read a story to us about a man crossing the Atlantic solo in a small sailboat. Then he would roll them up and slide them back into their cardboard sleeve; never to be built.

[Cherod]

Ooooh ,, what a nice story

[Don C L]

Great story, welcome aboard Middleson! When you say east Hawaii, do you mean Hilo area?

[maxingout]

You never know what will ignite your sailing dreams.

For me it was seeing Robin Lee Graham sailing around the world on Dove at age 16. From the moment I read about his voyage in National Geographic, I knew that I wanted to go sailing.

[Cherod]

I read that book too , Dove something , but Bernard Moitessier what done it for me ( and my father of course )

[Middleson]

Yes, I live South of Hilo, Hawaii near Pahoa.

I also read the book about Robin Graham sailing Dove and Dove II around the World; an inspirational store to say the lease. It ends with Robin Graham settling in Western Montana. Although there are sailing opportunities in Montana it is far from the ocean.

When I lived in Montana I canoed and kayaked on small lakes and rivers. When in Oregon boating included white water rafting the McKenzie River and learning sculling from an old salt on the glass like surface of a sheltered, cold, mountain reservoir.

[Diesel Bill]

Hi Middleson, Welcome to the forum.

[Don C L]

I was in Hilo last winter... there was a Pearson Vanguard there for sale... in the channel in front of the old fish place...
OK, OK, so I noticed! Yes I was down there poking around looking at the older boats that might be for sale!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Middleson.