Garry Posted July 3, 2009 Posted July 3, 2009 This is a great forum and I will definitely pop back in once in awhile, but I doubt I'll be back very often. I've certainly enjoyed getting to know you all here. I've enjoyed the exchange of ideas and viewpoints and the shared enthusiasm for a creative way of life. I started here when I built a nesting Spindrift 11 for a tender after I bought a 36' Allied Princess. I kept the Spindrift even after selling the luckless Princess but eventually sold it to another participant on this forum. Then I built a Birder 2 which turned out great. I've used it a few times but find that we are really not kayak types. Then a couple of months ago, I stumbled on the sailing yacht of our dreams at a price that we could manage if we stretched. Victoria and I fell in love with the boat and began a couple of months of battling to make her ours. The first problem was that the broker already had a contract from another buyer. This boat was so perfect for us that we obtained permission to take a look anyway. After meeting the owner we had a feeling that the first contract might not be completed, so we bit our nails and sent out psychic waves until the scheduled day of closing was past. We immediately submitted an offer for the asking price and began the struggle to obtain the financing. Our closing date was 6/30 and she is now officially ours (assuming we can pay off the loan). We will rename her Once Again in honor of meeting the love of my life in Key West in 1985 and convincing her to go cruising with me back then. Our plans for the new boat, after a few modifications to help manage the mainsail, are to move her from Jacksonville to Bradenton until I finish up my current assignment next March. Then we hope to spend a month or two in the Bahamas. We will still maintain a direct connection here. We were almost decided to purchase a Walker Bay 10 for a tender when a sailor on the Cruising Sailor forum (cs-bb.com) offered his Spindrift 10 for sale. We jumped on it immediately! It will look lovely nestled on the aft deck of Once Again. I am toying with naming it "Knot Again?". If you see this boat somewhere, knock on the hull and say "Ahoy..." There's a link below for more info. http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1991/Custom-John-Alden-C-C-Cutter-1827551/Jacksonville/FL/United-States Quote
lbrewer Posted July 3, 2009 Posted July 3, 2009 She's beautiful Garry! Congratulations on the beginnings of a new adventure. However, in this age of laptops and wireless, a farewell isn't necessary. You can still share the adventure with us. You don't have to disappear completely! Larry Quote
Howard Posted July 3, 2009 Posted July 3, 2009 Well that's no Princess 28, but I guess she will have to do for now. ;D Congratulations on a beautiful boat. Better watch out for visitors. We might lash ourself to the mast and refuse to leave! And do stay in touch. Quote
Ken_Potts Posted July 4, 2009 Posted July 4, 2009 I hope you'll chime in on occasion when you check the site so we know you're still happy and healthy. And I wish you and Victoria and Once Again fair winds and pleasant company. Quote
Greg Luckett Posted July 5, 2009 Posted July 5, 2009 Darn it Garry!! I am going to miss you on here. On the other hand, congratualtions on getting that fine looking boat. Can you post more pictures of her before you sail into the sunset? Quote
Garry Posted July 5, 2009 Author Posted July 5, 2009 I will be posting pics on my photo site and I drop in once in awhile. This is a great bunch to keep in touch with. I just won't be involved as I once was. I'll keep in touch. Garry Quote
brucee Posted July 5, 2009 Posted July 5, 2009 Hey Garry, That's a fine yacht you have there. I'm sure you'll have a great time with 'er...a dream to reality. I've enjoyed your contributions to the website. You have offered some great comments and advice. One of the Sprindrift 10 quints under construction slowwwwly at my place will use your connector design for joining the two halves together. (So far, construction of three of the quints are progressing well. I'm overdue for posting pics.) Good to hear you have aquired a Spindrift 10N. We're happy about that 'cause you will be constantly reminded of your online friends on this blog! All the best Garry. We look forward to your future photos, adventure stories and postings. cheers, Bruce Quote
Steve Day Posted July 10, 2009 Posted July 10, 2009 Yipee! What a great looking boat. It is good to hear that you have found her and are going off on an adventure. We are looking to do something like that this next winter. If it comes to pass, we will try to link up as we pass through the Bradenton area. Steve Quote
Garry Posted July 12, 2009 Author Posted July 12, 2009 The connection will continue! We just bought a fine example of a Spindrift 10 that will make a great tender for Once Again. It's much lighter than the 11N that I built and it will fit snugly (I hope) on the aft deck. It came complete with a sailing rig and aluminum oars. I look forward to trying my 7-1/2 ft. wooden oars with it. And to sailing around some distant bay. Quote
paul_stewart Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 Garry, How can we miss you if you won't go away? (JUST KIDDING!) I hope you eventually post some more photos; e.g., of Once Again, of the S10 on the aft deck, .... --Paul Quote
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