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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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I owe someone here a thank you..... long

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Walter J
Deckhand

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USA
2 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/13/2006 : 11:50:31

I always wanted a sailboat, I have no idea why I just did. I never thought I would own one. Sailboat owners had to be rich, and I am not rich. Sailboat owners had to know all kinds of sailor stuff, fancy knots, how to trim sails, read the wind, all things that took years of training. I had none of this so I played with power boats. Heck anyone could drive a power boat, so I joined the masses.

We raised 2 boys and a girl and as the boys got older they got interested in Hobie's. While doing some web searching trying to help them figure out how to repair a Hobie that was given to them I started looking at monohull sites. I discovered all my thoughts were wrong.

The Hobie stuff didn't really intrest me much but the keelboats did and somehow I found this site. I decided that we really needed to go out on a sailboat to see if we really would like it. I posted a message here asking if someone in our area would take us out.

We live close to the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and I received an email from someone with a C-25 on Lake Grapevine. I cannot for the life of me remember his name but somehow Jed keeps coming to mind so thats what I am going to call him.

Jed would be glad to take us out on his boat. He sailed every Sunday and we made plans to meet him the next weekend. When Sunday arrived it was blowing like stink. We had no idea if that was good or bad but we drove to the marina and met with Jed.

Jed was pretty clear that it was really a little windy for newbys to be going out, but he could see we were very excieted and said he would take us out if we really wanted to.

That Catalina seemed huge as we headed out into the lake. As soon as we were out of the marina Jed handed me the tiller and unfurled the genoa. He cleated the sheet and when the wind filled the sail the boat took off, heeled about 10 degrees, the tiller came alive in my hand and we were sailing.

I felt the weather helm but had no idea what it was and what to do about it. Should I let the boat have its way? I let the boat head up and Jed showed me how to hold the course and correct for the weather helm.

We hadn't gone far and a gust heeled the boat to about 20 degrees. I wasn't too sure if I liked that or not, being used to power boats that stayed flat. I looked over at my wife and her big brown eyes were way bigger than usual. She suddenly grinned and said the words that sealed my fate. "We've GOTTA have one of these"

We didn't stay out long and never even took the mainsail cover off. We were making hull speed with just the genoa. When we were back at the marina Jed showed us around, showing us the different boats, describing the things he liked and didn't about them. He spent quite a bit of time with us and showed us a very enjoyable afternoon.

Fast forward about 5 years. No I don't own a C-25, not that I didn't want one. I ended up with a Macgregor 25 because I could afford it, my wife and I could rig it and our vehicle could tow it. We sailed that Mac nearly every weekend on every lake around here. We had some really good times and a few bad ones, including the time our rudder broke in the middle of the Matagorda Ship channel in 12'waves.

About 18 months ago we found a Laguna 26 on Lake Texoma at Grandpappys Marina and fell in love with it. We bought it and discovered how nice it is to have a boat in a slip. Not too long after that I was laid off. I wanted something different to do and although still employed my wife did too. We went to work at Cedar Mills Marina which is also on Texoma. My wife is working in the canvas shop and I am working in service. I think the biggest boat I have worked on is 56'. Mary made a bimini for a 50' sailboat that was 15' wide. We work on some of the Valiants that are also built at Cedar Mills. C-25's aren't as big as they once were

Although we work on lots of big boats we are still small boat people and still have a soft spot for C-25's

Thanks Jed (if thats not your name I appoligize but you will know who you are)

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2006 : 12:07:19

Thanks Walter, that was a really nice post to read.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2006 : 13:12:15

Walter, thank you for your post, ver rewarding to us! Your experience is why many of us toil away with the work of the International Association and sometimes take strangers out on our proud little boats.

Too bad you didn't get a C25 instead of the Mac, probably would not have busted the rudder in those conditions!

Edited by - on

John G-
Admiral

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793 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2006 : 13:43:33

Just one of many reasons to keep this forum and most of our web site, our beautifully redesigned web site, open to any and all who come calling (surfing).
All of us benefit when a new sailor discovers our boats and our community.

Go ahead click on the bird.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2006 : 14:19:24

I always wanted a sailboat, I have no idea why I just did. I never thought I would own one. Sailboat owners had to be rich, and I am not rich. Sailboat owners had to know all kinds of sailor stuff, fancy knots, how to trim sails, read the wind, all things that took years of training. - Walter

Walter,

This is exactly how it was with me...never sailed before, never knew anyone who sailed, thought it was too expensive, too much to learn, but for years I knew I wanted a sailboat. Then one fateful, cold, snow covered January day, a Macgregor 25 fell into my lap and I've been enjoying the ride ever since!

Excellent story...Thanks for sharing!

Edited by - on

kpaternoster
1st Mate

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USA
30 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2006 : 19:14:27

Me too, me too! Up until last year, I was just crew on other people's boats. I totally thought sailboats were too expensive (I mean, they are "yachts" right???). Then, I moved to Austin, and hooked up with the Austin Sailing Society (they are really just a bunch of ASSes). That's when it dawned on me that I could have my own boat!

I'm lucky to have a best friend that has taught me how to sail (he's an instructor for Sailtime, so I'm getting some awesome training). I LOVE sailing, and my C25 was about the same cost (just a little more) than my motorcycle cost, and it was getting to be time to replace the motorcycle. I think sailing is a much safer hobby (and more relaxing, more confidence-building, just generally more of everything). Oh yeah, and I can talk to people when I sail to... it's got lots of advantages over riding.

I loved your story. Thank you so much for sharing.

kim

Edited by - on

FrankV
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
135 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2006 : 20:40:38

I think this might be me. We have a Catalina 25 on Grapevine at Silver Lake marina, and somone e-mailed us from the forum asking for a ride a few years ago.

I remember taking a couple out, and they e-mailed me (or called) and they got a Macgregor 25 after the sail.

I thought I had turned someone to the dark side! It was windy that day, and it was a fun sail.

If not me, I am glad someone gave you a ride, and I am very impressed with your adventure!

Maybe we can get a ride on your boat!

Frank Vaughan

Edited by - on

Walter J
Deckhand

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USA
2 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2006 : 22:28:55

FRANK !!!
Yep it was you. I just told Mary about your post and she remembered your name.

We sold the Macgregor and now have a Laguna 26 at Cedar Mills. You are welcome to come up for a ride anytime. We stay on the boat Tuesday night through Friday night and come home for our days off which are Sunday & Monday. Of course we could be talked into hanging around to go sailing as long as we had a little notice.

BTW a Laguna 26 is like a C-25 in a lot of ways. The sail plan is nearly the same, the rig is nearly identical, they even have the same folding wood curtins as I have seen on some C-25s. The main difference is the Laguna has a shoal keel,over 6' of headroom and a huge berth under the cockpit.

Well its off to bed for me so we can head back to the marina early in the morning. We have no internet access there but if you are interested send me a email and I will get it when we get home.
wajones@netcommander.com

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2006 : 08:51:45

Way to go, Frank!

Edited by - on

tcox
1st Mate

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USA
32 Posts

Response Posted - 03/16/2006 : 14:05:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Sailboat owners had to be rich, and I am not rich. Sailboat owners had to know all kinds of sailor stuff, fancy knots, how to trim sails, read the wind, all things that took years of training.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Actually, sailboat owners are rich. At least, Catalina owners are! Maybe not in boat units, but I feel very rich being in the company of the wonderful members of this association. And as far as learning all that sailor stuff, I can learn more in one afternoon of reading this forum and in the wonderful tech tips in the Mainsheet than some people will learn in years of "hard knocks". That is because these "posters" have felt the hard knocks and are willing to share the experience.

Thanks to all that post their experience, and to you great officers that run the association and forums. You have made me very rich.

Terry

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 03/16/2006 : 20:04:12

You gotta love it!

I had the opportunity to show someone else how to sail their boat once. It was very rewarding for me. I still remember when three passers by showed me how to sail my old 26' whale boat. When you see it in action it is not complicated at all!

Edited by - on

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