Gary E. Marsella www.garyemarsella.com

Sailboats - Joy or Blues?
May 15, 2005

     

    Three old sayings reflect some sailboat owner’s feelings:
  1. A boat is a hole in the water in which one pours money.
  2. The happiest time for a boat owner is when a boat is purchased and when it is sold. Take your choice.
  3. B.O.A.T. stands for bring on another thousand ($). In my case, on 05/15/05 an era came to a close.
The Barbara J was a Coronado 25 sloop. Originally the sailboat was sailed in Ventura. California, where it was purchased by Barbara and I. We bought the boat in 1988 and kept her in Lake Millerton and Huntington Lake. We did some racing but mostly just cruising for fun. After our purchase of a condo in Coronado, California in 1992 at Coronado Shores, the Barbara J was pulled to Glorietta Bay in 1995, where she stayed in slip C-25. Our decision to divorce our sailboat was the result of too much effort for us, unless we could find extra crew, which was not easy to do. Also, our age was showing up as less enthusiasm and more fatigue. We donated the boat to the Coronado Hi School Foundation which will have a raffle to sell the boat for their benefit.

The first time that we took her sailing was absolutely exhilirating. From our slip. Heading north to Harbor Island, then west past Shelter Island, the San Diego Yacht Club, the Submarine Base and reversing course At Pt. Loma we then spotted aircraft carriers, excursion boats with tourists waving at us and numerous Naval ships passing by. I kept a log of every sailing experience and looking back at the log revealed some successful sails and some minor disasters. 10/22/98-“Began sail at 1200, nice wind, 15 knots. Under bridge to Harbor Island, wing on wing on the down sail, return 1500 boat speed 5-6 knots. Boat buttoned up at 1545." 04/13/95 – "Very windy, reefed main, starboard jib sheet wrapped around prop-difficult day." 11/04/04 "Left slip 1100, lots of wind , knot meter stuck, sailed past USS Reagan, new carrier in port."

All of these sails were unique and challenging. We relished the good times with friends and will miss the experience. We hope that the next owner of the Barbara J will treat our boat with TLC and find as much enjoyment as we did.

Gary E. Marsella

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