"Capt. Mooron" wrote in message news:NBHSd.25393$NN.17801@edtnps89...
This would really mean something if the pair of you weren't moored or docked
for 99% of the time. Let's face it.... your time aboard would be better
spent if you both hauled your vessels and did some maintenance for a change.

My vessel was hauled two years ago and the bottom paint (five coats) is still
in fine shape. All that collects on it is some slime that comes off easily with a
soft brush. As for maintenance, what maintenance is needed on a boat that
has four good thru-hulls as drains and nothing more to maintain - not a shaft,
strut,zinc nor a knot log or depth sounder thru-hull?

As an aircraft is better off in the air a sailbot is more lovingly cradled
by water than any contrivance that props her up ashore concentrating
forces in small areas that were not designed to take such forces.

My vessel will age far less drastically than either of yours. Cut The
Mustard no doubt has a saturated hull from extended immersion and Red Cloud
is rusting on a wet berth.

Cut the Mustard's hull is rock solid and will outlast her captain. Any sailor
who worries about a vessel aging to the extent that he puts the vessel up
on shore and lookes at it six or seven months a year is no sailor. Any real
sailor would rather his vessel age gracefully via constant use tempered
with constant care than age slowly with lack of use. Lack of use is anathema
to real sailors and real vessel. Your vessel is treated more like a showboat
and that is truly an insult. A real vessel is a working vessel. Any part-time,
lubberly efforts of forestall the natural order of things is but an exercise
in futility.

Hauling out every season allows me to inspect and maintain my vessel's hull
and submerged components. While I change zincs annually... Joe's 200 zincs
are deteriorating daily. While Capt. Neal's spongy hull is becoming infested
with a marine growth to rival a coral reef.... mine is clear, smooth, hard
and crustacean free. While Cut the Mustard's hull is discolouring...
Overproof's hull is waxed to the waterline and so shiny you can shave in the
reflection. While the pair of you can only entertain wet maintenance.... I
have the luxury of seasonal dry dock overhauls and full access for
maintenance & repairs.

As little as you use your vessel it is a wonder it needs any maintenance at
all. I guess blundering around drunk on week-ends takes it's toll. Boats
that are sailed regularly and year-round are boats that are handled well
while week-end warrior boats are often abused beyond belief. Is it any
wonder why you spend so much time maintaining your vessel?

You pay a price for the convenience of warm weather sailing.... grossly
polluted locations, a plethora of other boats to contend with, advanced
deterioration of equipment, corrosion, complacency as well as exaggerated
mooring & docking fees.

Docking fees are something I do not pay. My mooring is free as God intended
sailing, in general to be free. My location is not polluted. The water is clear
enough to see bottle caps laying on the bottom in ten feet of water. There are
an abuncance of other boats but they are mostly motorboats or sailboats motoring
and once one sails a couple miles offshore one has the ocean all to one's self.

I'll stick to my seasonal sailing regime thank-you very much..... the water
here is deep blue, pristine by comparison and I can actually eat the fish or
shellfish without fear of mercury or other toxic contamination! The fact
that I'm fortunate to even spot 2 or 3 vessels out sailing in the summer is
as well a benefit neither of you enjoy!!

Yes, stick to part-time sailing and keep deluding yourself into thinking you
are a sailor when it's obvious that you are merely a blowhard who is
frustrated and unable to admit he cannot sail as much as he would like
to sail because he has allowed lubberly habits to control his fate and is
too weak-minded and timid to move to climes where sailing is a way of
life and not an escape from reality.

Respectfully,
Capt. Neal
~~~~~~~~~~~~~