Vagabond

We started off small.

It has been a long time dream of mine to live on a sailboat. I have told Carolyn for as long as I have known her that I wanted to retire on one. Unfortunately, like many dreams, it was not at all thought out. I hadn’t even learned to sail!

One day I decided it was time to take that first step in my long time dream. I went out looking for my first sailboat. Since I didn’t really know a lot about sailboats, I didn’t really know what I was looking for. My requirements were as simple as: can be pulled by my truck, and doesn’t take too much space in the drive way. I searched craigslist for a few days until I came across Blue Horizon.

Blue Horizon was a 14′ Vagabond Fractional Sloop with 100% jib. I didn’t know it at the time but she was a great boat to sail and easy to learn on. She had all of the qualities a sailboat needed to learn the basics. I contacted the seller and negotiated a bit. In the end we agreed that his price was reasonable but I asked that it include instructions on how to use everything.

After about an hour lesson on how to step her mast and bring up her sails, I felt like I could take on the world! I had to take her out as soon as possible (mostly so I didn’t forget how to rig her up). I got her onto our local lake in land locked Colorado and it was amazing. I was immediately in love with this boat and sailing in general.

Throughout my life I have had the opportunity to be on, and be in charge of several boats. In fact my fondest memories are of me handling boats and being on the lake. I recall my first attempt (with help) was driving a 42′ motor yacht in the San Francisco bay. I felt like I could do anything! Despite having been on many boats and loving every minute of it, until I sailed Blue Horizon for the first time, I didn’t know what it really meant to be on the water.

I found that our tiny little sailboat in our tiny little late with incredibly unpredictable wind, was the most calming place I could imagine. When I had wind I would practice my skills. I learned how trim both sails, how to heave-to, and how to control my little boat. It was a rush that I couldn’t find anywhere else. When I was becalmed (most of the time…) I just relaxed and maybe took a nap. It was great!

Thank you Blue Horizon!