Once again I find myself with a small boat and the continuation of tale to tell. After Hurricane Michelle extensively damaged my Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 "S/V Solar Wind" , I found myself land locked and looking forward to the next chapter. Life had begun to intrude on my more extreme sailing plans with advancing age and some of the infirmities that go along with it. Family responsibilities also dictated staying closer to home for the next few years. Experience has shown that sailing for me would be a singlehanded adventure. My wife viewed the comforts available on a small boat as being closely related to far back woods camping and that was just not her cup of tea. While I was initially living the retired life, some friends had made it clear that this would just not do - they wanted me to come back to work and make an honest man of me again. My plans would have to be limited to occasional sailing as it could fit within the time periods available to someone that was still gainfully employed. The end result was the start of a search for a small sailing vessel suitable for single handing and traveling with my Honda Element that was limited to 1,500 pound towing capacity. Sailing adventures would be limited to local lakes, rivers, and an occasional week long jaunt to more open waters. Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed in the things that
you didn't do than in the ones you did do. |