I often ask myself the point of all the effort and expense of owning a well-aged sailboat. This usually happens after I crack a knuckle breaking loose some frozen fitting or polishing some faded fiberglass while watching others head out for a day sail in their shiny new boat. With over 40 years of experience, I consider myself an old sailor. I am fortunate enough to be sailing the pristine cruising grounds of British Columbia in a boat I can still afford. My boat is nothing like a new boat with all the fancy options, rather it is just a 40-year-old Islander Bahama 30, lovingly restored with endless hours of effort and carefully doled out dollars—far too many hours and dollars to call this an investment.
Old Boats, New Generations: The Real Value of Our Cruising Life
A 40-year-old sailboat, three generations, and one unforgettable lesson: old boats aren't investments—they're legacies.
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