SeaKnots

AllAboutMe (A Columbia Yacht)



As with so much in life, many of the experiences that I had hoped for in my twenties and thirties, had to be put aside, in order to raise a family, and earn a living.
The dreams just didn't fit in the space that was left. Then, in my middle forties, health issues seemed to bring any hope for early retirement to a screeching halt. So that now ,the dreams that had been put aside for later, had to be put back on the shelf,most likely to be left there, gathering dust, just like so many old copies of National Geographic.
Now, in my early late fifties, I am determined to take at least some of those dreams down off the shelf, dust them off, and focus on me.
So, from the dust of dreams, I present to you,

COLUMBIA YACHTS
8.7 Metre Sloop
AllAboutMe

1





This wonderful Yacht was donated to a local Power boat squadron, and I just happened upon her after having spent the better part of the day looking at other sailboats that I had found listed on the internet. I had just eaten lunch, and was on the way to Stingray Point Marina in Deltaville to look at one last boat, probably a Hunter, when I saw the entrance to Deltaville Yacht Center.
On a whim, I pulled in and parked.Walking inside, I noticed the broker's listing sheet taped to the bulletin board. There were three boats that fell into my size and price range. Locating a broker, I explained what I was looking for, and grabbing several sets of keys, he led me to the boats.
The first two were both at the top end of my price range, the third a little under. None of them really appealed to me. The broker,at this point probably having decided I was just out kicking tires as it were,pointed to one last boat.
The only thing left, he said, that comes close to your price range, is this charity boat. It was donated and the owner here agreed to list it. It's not the sort of boat we generally deal with, and the folks want to sell it.
Not a striking boat by any means, but good lines , and the trade mark champagne glass transom, marking it as a Columbia. He laid up the ladder, I climbed aboard,glanced at the golden oak colored tiller, (everything else I'd seen that day had a wheel. I pulled out the hatch boards, climbed down into the cabin, and fell in love. It was full of mildewed cushions, and there were empty bottles of household cleaning products all over the counters, but it fit. I could stand up without hitting my head. The settees were long enough for me to stretch out full length, and the whole cabin was done in a dark mahogany colored teak.Only the overhead was white, and that was bare fibreglass finished with flat enamel. There was work to be done for sure. Without even looking hard, I saw rotting window facings, and all the wood needed refinishing, but it was me. A little too old, a little out of shape, and in need of a new friend.
I bought her the next day; For half the asking price, and only after we were able to start the engine.But I would have bought her anyway. She was the dream.

Views: 47

Comment

You need to be a member of SeaKnots to add comments!

Join SeaKnots

Comment by sailorgirlca on February 11, 2009 at 7:37am
Congratulations........here's wishing for many happy years of sailing for you and your boat !!
Comment by CloudNine233 on February 10, 2009 at 10:04pm
As said - Great story and perspective. Congrats on finding your new best friend - may you put many miles under her keel together.

-sm
Comment by Banana Wind on February 10, 2009 at 1:05pm
Take it from me Larry......I KNOW how intoxicating it is to have a Columbia in your possession. So many folks have no idea just how accomodating these lil cruisers are ...They may be a little older and in need of a lil TLC (what boat isnt?? *lol*) ...but they ARE indeed timeless pieces of Art and wonderful sailing machines!
Comment by Sally Betser on February 9, 2009 at 3:57pm
Of course, the Oregon coast, after a beautiful day of looking for agates and watching whales play. how's your boat overhaul going? she's a beaut, and great story about finding her, kind of like meeting your future mate...
Comment by Larry Wilson on February 8, 2009 at 9:47pm
Buzzz, thanks for the comment. She saved my life.
Mark, For sure.
Comment by Larry Wilson on February 8, 2009 at 9:45pm
Martin, Looking forward to it. NOW, how about some paying work? lol
Comment by Mark (Voodoo Acrobat) on February 8, 2009 at 10:21am
That's the way it works. You don't find your boat; your boat finds you.

Congratulations, Larry. I'm a huge fan of Columbia yachts. I wish you many pleasant sailing days together.
Comment by Buzz Wolf on February 8, 2009 at 1:12am
Have great fun with your dream. That is what it is all about.
Comment by Larry Wilson on February 6, 2009 at 12:04am
Thanks Karen!!
Comment by zeehag on February 6, 2009 at 12:00am
wow cooool

Latest Activity

Patrick Findaro posted discussions
Thursday
Patrick Findaro posted discussions
Wednesday
Patrick Findaro posted a discussion

Die Besten Funktionen für Sie Entwickelt

Unsere neue Omegle-Alternative hat viel mehr Funktionen als jede andere Website oder App, die Sie finden können. Mit unserer überlegenen Videochat-Technologie haben wir den Omegle-Videoanruf neu erfunden. Es ist so schnell wie Textchat und hat die beste Videoqualität, ermöglicht es Benutzern, dank des glasklaren Bildschirms zu chatten, mit Fremden zu sprechen. Unsere Sicherheitsfunktionen schützen Sie vor Benutzern mit schlechten Absichten. Wir haben auch die beste Live-Support-Linie, die Ihre…See More
Jun 8
Patrick Findaro posted a discussion

Yabancılarla Canlı Görüntülü Konuşun

Ücretsiz kameralı chat Sohbet Odaları, en son teknolojileri kullanan güvenilir bir hizmettir ve kullanıcılarına ücretsiz ve anonim video ve canlı sohbet imkanı sunar. Her gün, milyonlarca kişi güvenli bir şekilde video sohbeti ve hızlıca FreeCam Chat aracılığıyla gerçekleştirir. FreeCam.Chat üzerindeki sohbetlerinizde hiçbir kayıt tutulmaz, gizliliğiniz her zaman ön plandadır. Hizmet, Omegle ve Chatrandom gibi en büyük platformların altyapıları…See More
Jun 3
Patrick Findaro posted a discussion

Cam to Cam Sex Chat – Stranger Cam Chat for Adults

Cam to cam chat is our random chat room where you can see and hear the person you are chatting with in real-time through your webcam. This adult webcam feature adds a layer of intimacy to your conversations, making you feel like you are having a face-to-face conversation in the comfort of your home. At FreeCam.Chat, we offer a free and instant adult chat platform so you can connect with random strangers using your webcam and enjoy erotic cam to cam encounters. Enjoy instant online sexual…See More
Jun 1
The Sail Store updated their profile
May 22
The Sail Store is now a member of SeaKnots
May 22
Matebiz Ltd is now a member of SeaKnots
May 10
ADVERTISE ON SEAKNOTS CONTACT US AT: 
candrac@sailforwater.com

© 2024   Created by CAN DRAC.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service