Hi Tom,
My exciting news is that I bought a boat!  Just made the purchase weekend before last.  Annie and I have now spent two weekends on board, and been out sailing in the ocean several times.  It's great! The boat is a 1988 Pearson 27, which I think is probably ideal for the amount and type of sailing that I'll be doing for a while.  It's a good starter boat that I can learn on, and learn about boat ownership, and it will be relatively easy to sail and maintain. I had a marine survey done and it only uncovered minor repairable faults and a need for some well-deserved general maintenance.  The previous owner didn't really sail it much, not at all in the last several years, so the sailing equipment like sheets and sails need some care and cleaning, but over-all things are in good shape. I've already learned tons about the upkeep of a boat.  While it was out of the water for the survey, and once the surveyor had given me a favorable verbal report, I had the bottom painted, the cutlass bearing replaced, a new zinc put on the shaft, etc.  Our first evening on board was spent
cleaning from bow to stern, above deck and below.  I brought the floor boards and the hatch boards home with me and spent hours during the week sanding and revarnishing them.  My second weekend back on board included a much-needed oil change.  The people at the West Marine store near by are starting to recognize me!  Ahhh....the joys of boat ownership!

So I wanted to share my good news with you, and also I wanted to see about meeting you at the boat show this coming weekend.

Take care and I hope to see you soon.
Tom Caulkins
10/17/98
 

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