RIP: Eric "Starcrest"

[Zen]

I just got this from the Ariel forum. I believe it is Starcrest ( Eric):

Stu Davidson, Eric Davidson's father, sent us the following message:

My son Eric Davidson passed today, March 26, 2007.  He was very active on your web site and had sailed several times from Ventura, CA  to the big Island, Hawaii.  Eric was several days from turning 39 years old.

Eric was a quiet person. He was very modest, hated to be center of attraction and although he did not like to admit to the fact, he was a person that was comfortable to be alone with himself, with his thoughts, always planning, thinking.  I can remember this when he was a child always pruning his hair thinking in deep thought.  Eric, was single, never married, had interesting women, but no children.  When his brother Evan passed, Eric wanted to have this saying inscribed on evan's grave:   "We will all miss him until we are with him."

[AdriftAtSea]

darn... that really sucks... I was wondering why we hadn't seen him for a while.

[Captain Smollett]

Wow; we had wondered where he's been lately.

Zen, do you happen to know if anyone (on the other board, perhaps) has an address where we could send a card or something.  Eric was part of our community, and I think it would be nice to let his family know we will miss him, too.

[Zen]

Wow; we had wondered where he's been lately.

Zen, do you happen to know if anyone (on the other board, perhaps) has an address where we could send a card or something.  Eric was part of our community, and I think it would be nice to let his family know we will miss him, too.

I just asked. will update.

[CapnK]

What a loss, for us. I really liked Eric. Talked to him on the phone a couple times, back when he lived down in Florida, at the infamous Jerry Springer marina. :) He was a character, and always will be, to me. I still get a big ol' pirates grin when I think about our conversations, some of the posts he wrote, how much of his own person he was. :)

He had the t-shirt - heck, who am I kidding, he'd been wearing it a long time - and I found inspiration in his accomplishments. He has been, and will be, missed, and a part of him will be with me when I set out to make some sea miles like he'd done long ago.

Fair winds, Eric - I know yer feeling 'em, those eternal Trades. Have a great sail!!!

And don't forget your old friends, send us a good breeze now and then, too.  ;)

Peace, bro -
K

Sailing an Ariel to Hawaii - by Eric "Starcrest" Davidson

[s/v Faith]

Shortly after I got my Ariel, I was reading everything on the internet I could find about them.

  I came across a post on a sailnet forum by a guy who was claiming to have sailed his to Hawaii, and asked him to come to the Pearson Ariel site and share some of the details. 

  Eric's generosity in taking the time to write up accounts of his trips, and for the Associations newsletter helped inspire me to plan to cruise in our Ariel, rather then getting something 'bigger'.

  I really appreciate the SailFar attitude he shared, and the information.  I wish his family well, and my condolences go out to them.  I am sorry that Eric has passed, but thankful that we got to know something of him and his adventures. 



He will be missed.

[Frank]

I will always remember him commenting....." if I was back in time in Hawia...I would not have turned back"    I now understand his comment clearly. Get out there and do it everyone.........this isn't a dress rehearsal...this IS the final scene...we, NONE of us..get a 2nd chance on TODAY !!    Eric DID cross oceans..and in a small boat (ariel).  I'm glad he shared

[Zen]

send cards & condolances here:

STU DAVIDSON
58 RELAXED CIRCLE
HYPOLUXO FLA. 33462

[bayracer]

Was he the one that use to post from that marina in Florida that he cussed about so much? And was he working in some hospital down that way?

[AdriftAtSea]

Thanks Zen...

[CapnK]

bayracer -

Yep, that was Eric, and the "Jerry Springer marina". lol  :D I think he had been working at a hospital down there.

When we spoke on the phone, it was about the possibility of him bringing his boat up here, and working in the local hospital. That didn't come to pass, and he wound up out west, eventually living at an airfield the last time I spoke with him.

[CapnK]

Thought about Eric tonight, wondered where he was sailing, what the conditions were like, out there somewhere...

What a guy. :)

Fair winds, bud.

[Frank]

I was looking back in the book section to get ideas for new books. After coming across a post by Eric, I had to stop and think...think of how he hoped to get back cruising, of the dreams he had and his lifes experiences. In one of his final posts he mentioned that could he roll back time he would not have turned back from Hawia in his Ariel...but would have kept going west. I admire and respect Connie for making a consious choice to stay...to let things unfold as they may...to keep living the dream. Same said for Craig and Rose...for choosing to give up societies version of 'normal' and pursue their dreams. I'm sure Eric would agree.

[s/v Faith]

I'm sure Eric would agree.

  Yes, Frank I am sure he would.  I appreciate his sharing here, and elsewhere. 

There is a theory that applies to some areas of counseling, that asserts that healing is not a job for one person, or even a series of appointments.  That insight is rather gained through a series of instances of being made more aware.  Much like the aspect of ministry that says 'some sow, others water, and some harvest'. 

  The opportunity to assist another is one of the great privileges of this life we have been given.  That men like so many here choose to do so speaks more highly of them then any gold or silver ever can.  It shall certainly endure longer.

  Maybe I will stop my carrying on now....  ;)

[CapnK]

I ran across this old thread on the Ariel site a few weeks ago, and bookmarked it, partly because of the overall sentiment, but also because of eric's comment at the end, which went:

if you get to do with your boat what I did with mine, that cant be replaced by all the money in the world

The man did it, and would have again, had he the time.

8) 8) 8)

Sure hope his family is doing OK.

(Hiya, eric! :) )

[Chattcatdaddy]

I just got this from the Ariel forum. I believe it is Starcrest ( Eric):

Stu Davidson, Eric Davidson's father, sent us the following message:

My son Eric Davidson passed today, March 26, 2007.  He was very active on your web site and had sailed several times from Ventura, CA  to the big Island, Hawaii.  Eric was several days from turning 39 years old.

Eric was a quiet person. He was very modest, hated to be center of attraction and although he did not like to admit to the fact, he was a person that was comfortable to be alone with himself, with his thoughts, always planning, thinking.  I can remember this when he was a child always pruning his hair thinking in deep thought.  Eric, was single, never married, had interesting women, but no children.  When his brother Evan passed, Eric wanted to have this saying inscribed on evan's grave:   "We will all miss him until we are with him."

Discovered this thread while searching thru all the old post. After learning of Starcrest "Eric" passing I felt like I should read some more about the man. I read thru his adventure to Hawaii that was on a link to I believe the pearsonariel site and really admire his courage and honesty. From his post I gather he truly was his own man and really admire that quality. He might be gone but his legacy lives to inspire others.

My favorite line of all the post regarding Eric came from his father "had interesting women" ;D

So I raise my glass and raise it high to Eric... ;D

[s/v Faith]

So I raise my glass and raise it high to Eric....

Hear! Hear!*

  My belief is that all that matters in our life is what we have done for others.  I am thankful for Eric, and glad to have read his posts.

(Grog to you, you can not toast with an empty glass)  ;D

[Tim]

To Eric

And a grog for you Craig for the perfect toast

[hearsejr]

 cheers to Eric, and the adventures we know of and those he kept secret...lol

[CapnK]

Some more Grog fer ya, Keith!

And one for Eric, too. :) He was a neat guy, and an inspiration.