Anyone else thinking about giving up sailing?

Robert Wilson

Robert Wilson

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Am I alone? Boat's out on the hard, weather's getting colder, windier, wetter; darkness from 07:00 to 17:00. List of "Jobs to do" increasing exponentially by the day. Cost of everything likewise.

Am I the only one wondering whether or not the few months from late March to late September are going to be worth it all?

Are the memories of this season's fun reality or fantasy?
 
Yes, you probably are on your own.

Most if us are well aware of the costs of sailing & either cough up, grin & bear it or exercise our own coping strategies. I fix serious stuff, do without electronics & don't stress about the cosmetic. Oh & my boat is still in the water & only comes out once every few years between November & March for a spruce up.
 
Well, ok - the boat was in the water all winter and I sailed twice between November 2012 and March 2013. This year (apart from my great trip to The Fife Regatta off Largs etc) has been ten "trips around the bay". Either too much wind, no wind, torrential rain or "that four-letter word ending in "K"; which begins with "w" before you gasp!

I know come March I'll be itching to get caught-up on that endless list, but right now I'm wondering why I do it..............

Update: Had to bring her ashore for "survey" and major mast work.
 
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Well if your in the Solent area ill
Come give you a hand with jobs.

I'm actually looking into getting a boat. Fancy selling? :-)

The advice on the med is 'the right advice'
 
Been out today. No wind, water like glass, bright sunshine motored, stopped at pub on way home. Don't understand idea of sailing 'season'.
 
Jamesuk said:
Well if your in the Solent area ill
Come give you a hand with jobs.

I'm actually looking into getting a boat. Fancy selling? :-)

The advice on the med is 'the right advice'
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About 600 miles north of the Solent !! Long way to come, doncha think?!!

In reality, I'll be raring to go again next year, but at the moment memories of those beautiful days of bright blue seas and skies struggle to overcome the pain, frozen fingers and rude letters from the bank.

And no, I wouldn't sell her for a "King's Ransom". But thank you.
Good luck with your quest to getting a boat - it's a wonderful experience :)
 
Robert Wilson said:
Am I alone? Boat's out on the hard, weather's getting colder, windier, wetter; darkness from 07:00 to 17:00. List of "Jobs to do" increasing exponentially by the day. Cost of everything likewise.

Am I the only one wondering whether or not the few months from late March to late September are going to be worth it all?

Are the memories of this season's fun reality or fantasy?
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I am sorry old boy, but I am beginning to think that your problem is one of your (our) own design.

We 'lay up' a boat. Why? because it is good for the boat? No. Because it gives us an excuse to 'forget ' about it for a while.

I know, in September I laid up my cherished wooden boat. Only because I would be abroad and unable to get to her. BUT, I remember thinking 'Thank God that is out of the way, nothing to worry about for a few months'.

The answer is to use them, I am convinced of that. Boats have a heart and a soul; they need to be needed.

Besides - what else would you do? Take up golf :disgust:
 
chinita said:
I am sorry old boy, but I am beginning to think that your problem is one of your (our) own design.

We 'lay up' a boat. Why? because it is good for the boat? No. Because it gives us an excuse to 'forget ' about it for a while.

I know, in September I laid up my cherished wooden boat. Only because I would be abroad and unable to get to her. BUT, I remember thinking 'Thank God that is out of the way, nothing to worry about for a few months'.

The answer is to use them, I am convinced of that. Boats have a heart and a soul; they need to be needed.

Besides - what else would you do? Take up golf :disgust:
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Sound comments. (and the golf course is waterlogged too!)
I felt much more relaxed last winter with the boat in the water, even thinking I'd get more sailing than I actually managed, but hope sprang eternal. And the antifouling has lasted for two seasons.

Perhaps it's the dark nights (and days).

She sits there all forlorn and incongruous on the hard - unwanted, unused and in need of attention. I feel a real heel!
 
Searush said:
I fix serious stuff, do without electronics & don't stress about the cosmetic.
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+1 I am in the water 364.5 days a year if I can help it. Although I might need to be out for some works for a week this year :nonchalance:

chinita said:
We 'lay up' a boat. Why? because it is good for the boat? No. Because it gives us an excuse to 'forget ' about it for a while.
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+1 There are extended periods that my boat is afloat semi laid up it takes the stress out of life, I can agree on that.

Must admit if I lived up north my boat may well some out for the winter, but I would try and keep away form "big projects". Instead of sanding ALL the woodwork in the cabin and varnishing this winter. It would be if I do the deck head this winter, I can do the bulkheads next. Make no job so big you cannot face it, keep on top of the small things do not let them build up for the "winter refit".

Lakesailor said:
Gasp! Self-abuse shouldn't stop you sailing.
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Lakesailor you just need to sail in the Solent to see the evidence :ambivalence:
 
I am south coast based and have decided to not have a boat in the uk. From now on I strictly freeload on boats in foreign waters owned by friends.

As for what to do next in the UK.......... Take up cycling. Less weather dependant, cheaper, better for your health, more conducive to family harmony, the scenery moves past quicker, and it is still properly techie to appeal to the geek in me. Or was that nerd?

There is even a nice forum full of people with varied opinions, complete muppets, comedians, bluffers, experts and trolls. Sound familiar?

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/
 
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Robert Wilson said:
Am I alone? Boat's out on the hard, weather's getting colder, windier, wetter; darkness from 07:00 to 17:00. List of "Jobs to do" increasing exponentially by the day. Cost of everything likewise.

Am I the only one wondering whether or not the few months from late March to late September are going to be worth it all?

Are the memories of this season's fun reality or fantasy?
Click to expand...

I had a very enjoyable 3 hrs out on Saturday, hood down sun out & a blue sky. all followed by a pint & 14.30.
My boating cost me a very large proportion of my income & money well spent it is too.
 
Exactly!

Robert Wilson said:
Am I alone? Boat's out on the hard, weather's getting colder, windier, wetter; darkness from 07:00 to 17:00. List of "Jobs to do" increasing exponentially by the day. Cost of everything likewise.

Am I the only one wondering whether or not the few months from late March to late September are going to be worth it all?

Are the memories of this season's fun reality or fantasy?
Click to expand...

That's why I cleared off to warmer climes. Winters were awful, summers pretty bad. At my age I decided that sailing was no longer going to be a perpetual challenge with the elements but mostly fun and relaxation, with just a bit of excitement now and again. (didn't always feel like that of course - each to their own)
 
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