The first step to getting help....

....is admitting that you have a problem.  Yes, I admit, I have a problem, an addiction if you will.  Instead of spending time, money and effort to finish the boat I already have, I instead found a good deal on another boat, and have started sailing that one instead, while the C26 still sits in her shed awaiting my time.

 For those of you with a discerning eye, yes, this is a Clipper Marine 21.  And yes, I am aware that there are a lot of people out there who HATE this boat and the brand.  Yes, I did my research on typical problems with this boat and knew the risks.  I bought it anyway because it was essentially ready to sail, and at half the purchase price of the Columbia C26, with a good trailer, I couldn't pass it up.

 Yes, this boat has been somewhat poorly taken care of, but I don't care if the interior needs to be redone.  I don't care that the previous owner had used hardware from the hardware store to make new shrouds.  I don't care that the boat is missing companionway boards.  I want something I can tow to the lake/ocean, pop the rig up, and go sail for the day with my son.  I want something that I don't really care if it gets beat up by the kids, because its already kind of beat up.  I want something that is cheap, and doesn't need a fortune to keep it on the water.  This boat fits all those criteria.  It also happens to sail reasonably well too.  I would also like to add that I am feeling quite lucky since I decided to pull the Mercury Sailpower (5ish HP) motor from the C26 that has had no maintenance, attention, or run time in the last several years, to use for the new boat.  Adding new gas was all it took to get the thing fired up and running.  I guess sometimes it is nice to have old tech, since it just works.

Clipper Marine 21

On the maiden voyage today, I noticed that with the swing keel down, the boat is immensely stable.  Walking the side decks (what little there are for side decks) does little to heel the boat, which is impressive since I am not a small man.  I expected a much more tender boat without sails up, but should not be surprised since it was designed by Bill Crealock, a well renowned offshore sailboat designer.  One of the complaints of this boat is that it was built to a price point, and yes, it shows, but on the same token, for having been built to a price point, it sails like a more expensive boat.  We had 5 mph or less of wind, and the boat was happy to glide along under a full main and working jib.  A genoa would have been preferable today, but for a relaxed first outing to see what her personality might be, a working jib was enough.  Also, we commented that for a family boat, this one was in no danger of being easily over powered.  On another day, the spinnaker from the C26 might make its way up the mast for a blast down wind, but that will likely be a solo sail.......