In the later 1980s I lived in St. Helens, Oregon. I had a GlenL-17 sailboat which I was sailing on the Columbia River, launching at the local marina where I later got a slip. One weekend I had been puttering around and stopped at the Sand Island dock to stretch my legs. There was a large power boat already tied up. When I came back to my boat a woman was standing looking at it. She said that she wished they still had their small boat, which was a lot more fun and used much more than the behemoth they now had. I will always remember that!
Right on! One need only observe the foolish YouTubers garnering millions of subscribers and begging for “patreons” with vessels ever increasing in size and complexity to understand the joys of simplicity to which we adhere.
So true Josh! When the passion for sailing struck me I had few skills and less money! Finding a derelict, 1955 wooden sailboat, in a farmers field, half filled with ice, for just $500, seemed a steal! The gentleman saif, "someone is due out later, who is very keen on this boat"! I paid the man his asking price! After adding some personal touches, she was ready for summer cruising, After 20yrs of sailing Whisper, I learned lots, most importantly though, my family and I were on the water! We enjoying the same beautiful sights as larger, more costly boats did, and because she was smaller and shallow draft, we often had the better coves to ourselves! BestRoy
Don Casey was another early and strong advocate for 'go now with what you have.' While a bit dated systems wise, his book "Sensible Cruising: The Thoreau Approach" should be suggested to anyone who thinks they need a 40 foot blue water yacht to go cruising.
Thank you Josh for the reprint of this article. I think we all need the reminder of "going now" needs to be an object on our radar. The attitude of only living once is all backwards and sideways. We die once. We need to live every day that we have available. I am preparing for the EC, Blackbeard and the Texas 200. My target year is 2025. I would love to go now. But I plan on going prepared. And that's a whole new article.
A very timely article....but going small is always timely in our world!!....Keep on sail’n!!....PS...I’m traveling across country now in my little Kimbo Camper....hope to catch up with my cousin B.Frank in Two Egg in about a week or so!!
Too many folks, who think, bigger is better, don't know how wrong they are! Forget about wheather or not one can afford a large boat, small boats are simply more fun! In my humble opinion! BestRoy
In the later 1980s I lived in St. Helens, Oregon. I had a GlenL-17 sailboat which I was sailing on the Columbia River, launching at the local marina where I later got a slip. One weekend I had been puttering around and stopped at the Sand Island dock to stretch my legs. There was a large power boat already tied up. When I came back to my boat a woman was standing looking at it. She said that she wished they still had their small boat, which was a lot more fun and used much more than the behemoth they now had. I will always remember that!
Josh, that piece is timeless. Thank you once again.
Thanks! Is that really you, Frank?
It is I.
We've got some catching up to do.
So, the saga continues.
Amen!
Come the revolution everyone will be cruising small boats!
Right on! One need only observe the foolish YouTubers garnering millions of subscribers and begging for “patreons” with vessels ever increasing in size and complexity to understand the joys of simplicity to which we adhere.
So true Josh! When the passion for sailing struck me I had few skills and less money! Finding a derelict, 1955 wooden sailboat, in a farmers field, half filled with ice, for just $500, seemed a steal! The gentleman saif, "someone is due out later, who is very keen on this boat"! I paid the man his asking price! After adding some personal touches, she was ready for summer cruising, After 20yrs of sailing Whisper, I learned lots, most importantly though, my family and I were on the water! We enjoying the same beautiful sights as larger, more costly boats did, and because she was smaller and shallow draft, we often had the better coves to ourselves! BestRoy
Don Casey was another early and strong advocate for 'go now with what you have.' While a bit dated systems wise, his book "Sensible Cruising: The Thoreau Approach" should be suggested to anyone who thinks they need a 40 foot blue water yacht to go cruising.
Thank you Josh for the reprint of this article. I think we all need the reminder of "going now" needs to be an object on our radar. The attitude of only living once is all backwards and sideways. We die once. We need to live every day that we have available. I am preparing for the EC, Blackbeard and the Texas 200. My target year is 2025. I would love to go now. But I plan on going prepared. And that's a whole new article.
A very timely article....but going small is always timely in our world!!....Keep on sail’n!!....PS...I’m traveling across country now in my little Kimbo Camper....hope to catch up with my cousin B.Frank in Two Egg in about a week or so!!
Too many folks, who think, bigger is better, don't know how wrong they are! Forget about wheather or not one can afford a large boat, small boats are simply more fun! In my humble opinion! BestRoy
Love this piece! Thank you.