S/V 'Faith'

[s/v Faith]

S/V Faith

Faith is a 1964 Pearson Ariel.  She has come to me after years of thought about what I really wanted in a boat, and consideration of priorities.

I believe that the bond between a Sailor and a boat should be more then ownership.  I first came across an Ariel years ago (1993?) helping a friend who had bought hull #243 transport her from Elizabeth City, NC to Va Beach, VA by road with out the assistance of any proper boat moving equipment.  That is a story for another post.  I fell in love with that hull then.

I made some changes in my priorities a couple years ago, and shifted from walking docks and dreaming to actually looking at boats.  I had definite opinions about what I wanted, having read about boats and walked docks all my life.  I found myself looking at all types of boats, and was actually aboard a 36' Morgan when it dawned on me.... I had lost my focus.

I called Bob, the friend with #243.  He told me about a couple leads near where he lived, on 30-35' boats (since that was mostly what I had been looking at).  Then added as almost an after though "there is a guy with an Ariel in the Trading post".  As soon as he said it, I knew I had been going in the wrong direction.  I got excited.

I got the number and gave the guy a call expecting the boat to have been sold.  Herb Tucker answered and said that the boat was still for sale.  I asked the normal questions, and then he suggested we go for a sail.  Having bought used cars all my life, I knew I had to sound dis-interested.  "How about tomorrow morning?" My reply probably gave me away. J

It was ~ 300 miles away, but I was there at the agreed 8am.  I got there a little early, and there was a light haze on the water.  The small marina had about 30 boats.... Can't tell you what else was there though.  When I saw the stern of that boat it was love at first site.



We had a nice couple hours underway, the wind was light but steady.  She sailed like a dream, and I was impressed with her overall level of upkeep.  She has had a couple periods of neglect in her life that she has suffered through, but it was clear Herb had done his part to reverse the years toll.  There were some things that needed to be tended to, but nothing that (appeared) to be too much work.

It will be three years this spring I have owned her, and I still think well of Herb Tucker, which is much more then  I can say for all those I have bought cars and homes from over the years.  I have sent a LOT of time onboard that boat.  Had some adventures, earned a few stories, and learned some lesions.  

 I still get excited when I walk down to the marina and see her tugging at her dock lines.

Come on! Let's go sailing!.

I think I will.  More later.

[Amorous]

I hear ya.  I did almost the same thing and feel pretty much the same about Amorous.  Even here in Alaska in the middle of the freezing cold I go out in the yard and look at her there on the trailer and think....Wow, what a beautiful boat!  Of course she's much more beautiful in the water, but at least she's not 5000 miles from home any more.

[s/v Faith]

I keep meaning to take the camera down to the marina, but here is a shot John took;



Capt. Smollet took this pic when he was out looking at his Alberg 30. The NE breeze brings some chop into the slip, it is pretty calm for most wind conditions.

Rose and I will be updating this page with our travel progress.  We have phad 'boat cards' printed up that have a link to this thread.   ;D

Here she is out Sailing on the New River;


OBTW, You can get free cards (shipping only)here.

 If anyone who we have given the cards to is poking around the site trying to find the link.... you can bookmark this thread.   ;)









;D

[Frank]

When is 'untie the dock lines' day???

[Captain Smollett]

Let me guess - 11 August?   ;D ;D

[BobW]

Is that just a guess or is it based on inside information?  :D

[s/v Faith]

I have been so busy lately that I have not posted much.  

 Rose and I moved aboard 3 weeks ago yesterday, and I had surgery the week before that.  Thankfully I had most of the projects done first, and was able to finish up the rest.

 We 'retire' on the 10th, and plan to cut the lines on the morning of the 11th.

The dingy won't look this good again;


The projects that I need to find pictures for are;

Finally got around to some of the projects.  Here is an update with a few pictures;

Bomar Nibo aluminum Framed hatch in the foredeck.

Bow Roller, bit, and bow cleats;

Mid Ship's cleats

Engle 27 Fridge install;

Fold Down dvd/tv

Drawers / stowage space

New cushions, with back-rests / filler

V-berth lighting system;

Stern pulpit 1" Stainless tube

Had the Dodger & Bimini made by a local guy out of new Bern.  1" heavy stainless tube,  double stitched Sunbrella, 60mil Eisenglass,

Bimini cut to allow sailing (mainsheet will rub on the corners, but they have chafe patches sewn in)

Dodger

Pin Rail boards


One last trip up the mast... though when recovering from hernia surgery.....



Blowing the lines before I top up the tanks;

[Captain Smollett]

  Rose and I moved aboard 3 weeks ago yesterday,

Congrats!!!    :)

  We 'retire' on the 10th, and plan to cut the lines on the morning of the 11th.

Wow.  I was commenting tongue in cheek when I posted a couple of weeks ago that I bet you were casting off on the 11th.  Good on ya, mate.


See ya next Friday.   ;)

[Zen]

Wahooo Congrats

[s/v Faith]

Still have not gotten the pictures of setting the boat up taken, been kinda busy.... crazy as i approach my retirement.

This is Gottchalks Marina, home for the last 5 years.  Home of the Ragged Point Yacht Club.  I am leaving as their commodore, these people are my friends.


Here are a couple of her last day in the slip.





 Today I retire from the Military, and tomorrow we sail.

Blessings to all, and thanks for the support.

 Rose and I will post updates soon.

[Zen]

cool!

[KenR]

And so it begins - fair winds and much happiness.

[Ol' Coot]

Wow!!!   Retire today; sail away tomorrow.   No moss growin' on Craig & Rose!   Best of luck to you!

Kevin

[BobW]

Good Luck to the two of you!  Enjoy safe passages.

[Frank]

Have FUN !!!    Good luck fishing  ;)

 
-

[AdriftAtSea]

Congrats and fair winds to you, Rose and Faith.  I think you'll really like the Engel 27, that's the same unit I have.  Just be aware that at anything about 1.5/2 it starts to freeze stuff.  :D

I'd love to see the photos of the pin rails, since I'm thinking of doing something similar, but haven't seen anything to inspire me. :D

[Godot]

Rock on!

[s/v Faith]

The last few days have been truly wonderful.


My dad and I, and my long time friend Bob (owner of Ariel #243)

 Faith is laying behind the ceremony... in full dress ship.

My Wife is by my side, my son and Daughter-in-law-to-be are there, my mom has driven up from Fl, and my dad has flown out from California.  Actually, he came out from California 10 days before we cast off.  Having him with me greatly cut down on the stress, and we even got away from the dock for a couple of 'farewell' sails on the New River... something I have wanted to do since I got the boat.  He gave me the most beautiful oil painting of the mountain where he and I used to hike in the summers...  I only wish I had figured out a way to fit it aboard...  ;D

Mt. Tamalpais from my dad's blog;



 My friends from work and the Yacht Club made my retirement / send off wonderful.  The only bad part of leaving is leaving them behind.  Thanks to everyone who did so much to make it great!  My friends in the club even managed to find floating hotel rooms for my friends and families... Thanks!

 Mom, DJ, & Anglea (my future daughter in law) came up from Florida with Kit and Buddie in tow (mom's and DJ's dogs).  I think they helped ease the transition for Peter... who is staying with my mom for at least the ICW portion of the trip.



 It was a great ceremony / party... and a perfect morning for sailing out of the marina.  

It was hot as it can be that day.  It was a suitable reminder of the many many friends I have lost in Iraq.  Thankful to be leaving here, but people I will never forget as long as I live.

Tears were left in our wake for our friends, and all the Lord has done for us in the last four years here.  Our first few days have been.... How shall I say it...???   Lazy sailing at it's best!

Last minute preps;



 We have sailed as long as we could make headways.... Often spending hours at less then a knot!

Here is a few word's from Lady Faith's Journal;

We started our trip on Saturday around 11:45.  We had family and friends wave us off, tears in our eyes.  We were excited about the trip, but were leaving behind a lot of good friends.  We didn't go far the first day, were tired from the previous day, so we only got to Courthouse Bay Marina, 11.99 NM.  We did have an escort for a little way, a friend named Mark escorted us to marker 46 in his sailboat Crescendo.  It was a nice farewell by him.  The weather was great, slow wind, but cool and glorious.  We sailed most of the way.  Our friend Dennis came to Courthouse Bay Marina for a final good-bye, he plans to meet us in the Bahamas when he can.  

The next morning, another beautiful, light breeze day, we went to breakfast with another good friend Vaugh, then we were on our way.  Almost..... Another friend named Earl had a tool we would need, so we waited for him to bring it to us.  We left right after that.  We only had to motor two times, once out of the marina and once by Swan Point Marina.  The sailing was great, if not slow, but who cared.  We are on no schedule and just enjoyed the day and each others company.  We ended up anchoring by the Surf City Bridge and had a relaxing evening.  I stayed below as the mosquitoes were out, Craig go bit up.  It was a cool evening and a very calm night.  We were gently rocked to sleep by Gods hand.  That is how I pictured it anyway.   Craig woke up and watched the meteor showers, I was to lazy.  

Today we had to motor the whole way.  The wind was on our bow, the breeze was light most of the day.  As we were going through the Figure Eight Island Bridge, Craig showed me a huge giraffe in someone's front yard, it was great.  There was a lot of powerboaters on the water going by fast and waking us, but it was still a beautiful and semi-peaceful day.  The only planning we have done so far is for the Bridge openings.  Anyway, we are at Wrightsville, just past the bridge and anchored in a nice area.  We have watched skiers, sunfish and a lot of other boats pass by, all seemed to be in a rush.  It feels good to be able to relax and go slow for a change.  Craig took the dingy and got us supper, I was to lazy to cook.  It tasted better then I could have made just then anyway.  Craig and I are just chilling, watching the sunset and feeling the breeze on our faces.  So far the trip is great, and we continue to look forward to updating everyone on the rest of it.

[AdriftAtSea]

beautiful...   fair winds to you both.  :)

[BobW]

Absolutely beautiful!  I look forward to reading more of your adventures.