Good Times

I sold my boat today.  Most people say the 2 happiest days in a boat owner's life is the day they buy the boat and the day they sell it.  I have mixed feelings. 

 

I have had Ashe for 14 years.  Most of my friends know what I have been through in the past year and a half and know how content and happy I am now, but I also know they will be a bit shocked. 

 

I'm okay with selling her, for the most part.  I'm looking forward to not having to deal with haul out, launch, the cost of bottom paint, the stress of getting in my work hours, the stress of trying to keep on top of the maintenance, the cost of new sails, motor maintenance, etc.  What I will miss are those evenings after work, when I can go down to the boat and set sail by myself or with some friends for a couple of hours, I will miss jumping off the boat on a hot summer day in my birthday suit, I'll miss being in charge when racing and lying on the bow at sunset listening to the water slipping by.  I will miss seeing how newbies smile when she catches a puff of wind and feel the boat jump into life.  I will miss that quiet moment after hitting the kill switch on the motor, that content happiness in the moments when the boat is singing under your feet.  Those times on the boat always provide that escape from everything.  I know owning a boat is a privilege and I'm thankful that I had that opportunity. 

 

I'm going to keep my membership at the Barrie Yacht Club, I plan on hitching a ride on a Kirby 25 as a sail trimmer and extra helmsman, maybe do a bit of foredeck.  I have made a few great new friends there and I know I'm more than welcome to go sailing with them.  It won't be the same as being on my own boat but I have some cool new plans for my future with Mike that I'm looking forward to and those plans ultimately include another boat in the near future.

 

So raise a pint of dark beer to all the good times I had on Ashe, she will appreciate yet another beer being spilled on her decks.