-- OceanPlanet still needs your support --
-- Meet me at the Strictly Sail show in Chicago --
Some snow on the
deck:
In the otherwise empty marina at Robinhood Marine Center, there
quietly sits an Open 60 that has successfully raced twice around the
world.
We had hoped to haul out this winter to paint
the bottom, general maintenance and to finish misc. repairs, however the
OceanPlanet Foundation simply doesn't have the funds to do so. While the boat is
relatively safe, she really should be getting the attention she deserves.
With last year's planned sale having turned into
dust (including receiving a bad deposit check), and a separate charter deal
evidently canceled, your support is needed
to keep this fantastic boat in good working order.
While I'm hard at work on many things...looking for
sponosrs to return to the IMOCA racing scene and starting a new part-time
job (see below)...time must still be taken to look after this boat that has
carried me so many miles. Today I replaced a repaired alternator bracket
(thanks to Mike Del Smith at Portland
Yacht Services!), installed a new alternator, and carefully tested the
engine and batteries.
OceanPlanet seemed to say she had been lonely and
was glad to have my attention.
Hopefully this great boat can be part of our new
program...either as a testing, educational and hospitality platform, or
perhaps to carry a new sailor as part of a bigger team. We'll
see. But to get there she needs your support.
Thanks!
Time for the show:
For those of you in the midwest (or anyone coming
to the Strictly Sail
show in Chicago), come see me at the booth of Euromarine Trading. In
addition the other hats I wear, I have started working as a representative for
Euromarine, who are importers of several great brands of marine hardware.
These brands include Antal (OceanPlanet uses
a Antal mainsail slider system and Antal winches),
NKE instruments (used on most of the
top Open 60's), Lopolight (power-saving
and waterproof LED running lights), and Karver Furling and Hardware (also used
on most new 60's).
We were just at the Strictly Sail show in
Philadelphia, which was great fun. Sail America runs a great show at
these events and they are not to be missed. Besides, you should come and
try to beat my time on the winch grinder competition...which I surprisingly WON
in Philly:
Not bad for a 46yr old, 140lb solo
sailor...;-)
See you there, and thanks for your support of
OceanPlanet, |
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