I finally sold my boat. In my opinion, way less than it's worth but that's okay, I got a helluva lot of use out of it. The reason for me quitting is I'm 75 and have some health issues. That, coupled with driving in city traffic around three traffic circles and only one place left to launch which the City could take away any time made me decide it's time to quit my favorite hobby. The last few years I always sailed alone and after a good day of it, I was so sore I could hardly move the next day.
I started in 1979 in S. CA with a Sea Spray 15. That wasn't enough so within a year or two I was sailing an 18. I kept sailing 18s of one kind or another, 18s being the perfect size for two people, at least for the way I sailed. I've owned eight beach cats, my last two being a Nacra 500 and a G-Cat 5.0. I downsized to the 16s when it became difficult to find someone to go with me coupled with the fact I like sailing alone. I guess I've been lucky, only one major mishap after all those years. Sometime in the early 80's I experienced a dramatic pitch-pole while stupidly surfing offshore storm swells off Santa Monica. The boat didn't get hurt and neither did my crew member (a young woman I was trying to impress) but I sure did, I had to have shoulder surgery and I still feel it to this day.
I just really wanted to thank everyone on all the good advice I've gotten through this site over the years.
Get your weight aft!
Bill
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Bill Townsend
G-Cat 5.0
Sarasota
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Hanging Up My Harness
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- Rank: Mate
- Registered: Apr 07, 2017
- Last visit: Jun 17, 2025
- Posts: 380
Posted: Jun 17, 2025 - 01:22 PM
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- Rank: Mate
- Registered: Sep 23, 2022
- Last visit: Jul 15, 2025
- Posts: 126
Posted: Jun 17, 2025 - 04:21 PM
Well, that is a drag. I haven't been here as long as most, but the sheer volume of your posts and YOUR advice has been indirectly helpful to me many times, so thank YOU!
-Matt -
- Rank: Mate
- Registered: Aug 01, 2002
- Last visit: Jul 04, 2025
- Posts: 431
Posted: Jul 04, 2025 - 06:44 PM
I'd say that, at 45+ years, you made a helluva run at it, Bill! Thanks for taking the time to share your beneficial knowledge and experience with us!
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Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi
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- Rank: Lubber
- Registered: Feb 26, 2014
- Last visit: Jul 04, 2025
- Posts: 94
Posted: Jul 04, 2025 - 08:30 PM
If you still need to get out, try a Weta.
James exH16, H18, H18SX, Bimare F18HT, (2) H17 Sports w/Spin & Code O, (2) F25Cs, F24 & Dash -
- Rank: Lubber
- Registered: May 14, 2025
- Last visit: Jul 04, 2025
- Posts: 8
Posted: Jul 04, 2025 - 11:50 PM
Glad you were able to sell your boat, Bill... but sorry to hear you won't be getting out on the water like you used to anymore. I hope you still hang around on the forum and continue to share your knowledge and experience with the rest of us.
I am only a few hours north of you on Florida's west coast... Let me know if you'd be interested in going out sometime.
I don't know when/if we will have the boat down your way, but if you are interested in spending a few hours tooling around (without the trailering and rigging hassles) let me know and I can give you a head's up about when we will have the boat rigged and in the water.
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Mike T
'88 Nacra 5.7
Florida's Big Bend Area
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