It's time to put sentimentality aside and admit
to myself that I'm not going to sail my old Laser
again. I saved all summer long as a sixteen year
old and bought my brand-spanking new boat
from Skip. Toward the end of the BBYRA
season, on a Saturday morning at Toms River
Yacht Club, he delivered it, screwed on a
couple of jam cleats for the mainsheet, and
shoved me off. Rocket ship! It was a far cry
from the water-logged #802 I had been sailing
since 1972, and I immediately started beating
more boats. A couple of years later, my brother
bought the boat from me, then a few years after
that, he sold it to my sister. The boat has sailed on
Barnegat Bay, Lake Champlain, and a handful of
reservoirs and ponds throughout VT and MA.
By now some of you are familiar with my nostalgic
ways. For me, knowing that the boat was really
the first big thing I actually worked hard for and got,
it's getting me a bit misty thinking about no longer
having her. But she's certainly not getting any love
in my backyard under an old tarp. Anybody know
someone looking for a used Laser?
Baydog, sorry to see you selling the old Laser!
ReplyDeleteI frequent the Sunfish Forum more than the Laser Forum, but I think that might be a decent place to list your boat, in the Laser Forum "for sale" section. Tillerman might have a better idea at how well that forum does selling boats.
I think you should sail it one more time. If you still feel that you want to sell it, then no regrets. If you feel like a Viking, keep it. We can crew it together and attack Tillerman.
ReplyDeleteArrrgh!
Laser Sailing: The Rules
ReplyDeleteRule #32
The minimum number of Lasers you should own is three, one for racing, one for practice and one to lend to your friends.
I (we) was (were) compliant with Rule #32 only one too-short period: 1 Laser for me, 1 Laser for Trophy Wife, 1 Laser for Trophy Son. It was a special time.
DeleteI think Joe Rouse is looking to step up from his old Force 5.
ReplyDeleteSir, I will never, ever sail a Laser after being harassed and having my reputation sullied over the years by Laser sailors for loving my Hobie 14, then Banshee and finally Force 5. I think I'll just sit on the beach and drink a nice bottle of bourbon instead,
DeleteI think true believers are just like that, Joe. If you're not with them, you must be against them.
DeleteThey would probably question drinking bourbon, and insist that you drink scotch or something. What's important in life is not what you drink, but how drunk you get.
Thirteeng beersh!
DeleteIf you're not sailing, I'm glad you're selling, Baydog. A good Laser is a terrible thing to waste.
ReplyDelete"When a man is tired of Lasers, he is tired of life; for there is in Lasers all that life can afford." - Samuel Johnson
ReplyDelete"Laser are constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy." - Benjamin Franklin
ReplyDelete"A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the Laser. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind." - Thomas Jefferson
ReplyDelete"You can tell alot about a fellow's character by his way of sailing Lasers." - Ronald Reagan
ReplyDelete
ReplyDelete"A bay without Lasers is like a day without sunshine."
- some guy who worked for a greeting card company
I Durham, NC I once overheard someone say "a day without good basketball is like a day in Chapel Hill." Is that the same sort of thing?
Delete"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every Laser its value."
ReplyDeleteThomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 1, December 19, 1776
What's in a name? That which we call a Laser,
DeleteBy any other name would sail as sweet?
The Bard
"All I wanted was some sharks with fricking Lasers!" - Dr. Evil
ReplyDeleteSea Bass, with a blood orange reduction
DeleteNow we're talking!
Delete+1 on the "sharks with frickin' lasers".
DeleteI had to share this comment from Anonymous, like many that come to my gmail but don't make it on to the comments section, thankfully:
ReplyDelete"I do not leave a response, but I read a bunch of responses on "For Sail".
I do have some questions for you if you do not mind. Is it only me or do a few of these remarks appear as if they are left by brain dead visitors?"
That's not very nice.
Ah, I beg to differ with Anonymous on a very crucial point, Baydog. Brain death is the irreversible end of all brain activity (including involuntary activity necessary to sustain life) due to total necrosis of the cerebral neurons following loss of brain oxygenation.
DeleteErgo, someone who was clinically brain dead would not be physically capable of leaving a comment on your blog. Ipso facto, Baydog.
did you say Eggo? man, I need to make some waffles.
DeleteLeggo my friggin Eggo!
DeleteCole Sear: I see brain dead people.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm Crowe: In your dreams?
[Cole shakes his head no]
Malcolm Crowe: While you're awake?
[Cole nods]
Malcolm Crowe: Brain dead people like, in Blogs? In social media?
Cole Sear: Bloggin around like regular people. They don't see each other. They only see what they want to see. They don't know they're brain dead.
Malcolm Crowe: How often do you see them?
Cole Sear: All the time. They're on Baydogs Blog.
Although I still get misty thinking of her, thankfully, my first wife isn't in the backyard under an old tarp.
ReplyDeleteThis one made me snort coffee.
DeleteDoes that method make you wake up quicker?
DeleteMy fifth love is warm and dry on a trailer in the garage. My fourth love is under a blue tarp at my son's house. I have no idea where my second and third loves are now. My first love is playing with our first grandchild as I write.
DeleteLife is good.
What was the question again?
I forget, but it doesn't matter. That was beautiful.
DeleteGod speed Tillerman
DeleteWhat's love got to do with it?
DeleteThere's nothing you can do that can't be done.
ReplyDeleteNothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game.
It's easy.
There's nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time.
It's easy.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
Where the Monkees great or what?
DeleteThere we're.
DeleteThey sure was. But that where a beetles song.
DeleteI saw my grammatical mistake shortly after I posted and was praying that it would go unnoticed...fat chance of that.
DeleteCovered by beetles, maybe, but that where a Beatles song.
ReplyDeleteCovered by beetles. Is that why there always picking on each other?
DeleteAnd I even considered adding a link to this post on my Craig's listing.
ReplyDeleteWhere Davy Jones and John Lennon at odds? It was probably over artistic differences. Also the walrus was Micky.
DeleteSounds like exiled Nigerian royalty is interested in my Laser:
ReplyDelete"I was told by my assistant that your items is still available for sale,i would have love to come and see it,but my scheduled is very tight.I will mail out your payment once you provide your full name.phone number and address or P.O Box address.I can only pay via money order as am on a business trip now,pls let me know where to send your payment to because i wouldn't want to lose it to some else.I don't mind adding fifty ($50) dollars so you can keep it in my favor,you should get your payment in 2-4 working days i will appreciate if you can get the ad off craigslist so i can be sure you are keeping it in my favor.Please let me know as soon as you receive it so i can start making arrangement for the pick-up.
Thanks"
He has arrived in New York, so he should be contacting you shortly.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcAvBK_VfjA