Life is Like My Cabin Cruiser

My three-month, seven-days-a-week self-inflicted ordeal of retrofitting, and updating my 28-foot Cabin Cruiser mirrors my life. One of my goals in life is to be the best I can be. Sometimes I need repairs and updates. Parts of me have shown signs of “aging.” My cabin cruiser is 40 years old and despite looking good, her parts were in need of repair and or replacements. I am 66, act, and feel as if I were 16 years old… My cabin cruiser has lots of life left in her. She needed an extreme make-over! Recovering from my latest knee surgery, after my back surgery, I shared a bond of things could be better.

The abandoned cabin cruiser had been bobbing up and down in the ocean at Port San Luis in Avila Beach for three years. Its owner had died and others had stripped away its dignity. The engine and hull were in outstanding shape. The rest was in dire need of repairs and replacements. The cabin cruiser had a good foundation to work and build upon.

I am attracted to challenges. This cabin cruiser presented an opportunity to learn about the art and practice of repairing and updating boats. I am a life learner and jumped at this opportunity. I constantly update and repair myself and wanted to apply my energies to making my cabin cruiser better.

Boats in general are known as a “hole-in-the-water where you throw your money into.” My boat is no exception. Despite my best efforts, she seduced me into spending much more than I had budgeted.

I learned what dry rot is. I learned it is like cancer. Perhaps a small area on the top side looks bad to discover after much exploring, digging, and I would find a large area of dry rot that must be replaced. Dry rot is unique. It is integrated into the surrounding areas and must be treated and/or replaced.

I learned how to operate a sander over my head for three weeks bring to life a tired old lady into a youthful, spirited shiny cabin cruiser.

Our bond grew as we got to know each other. I noticed my hand would caress her I sanded. She understood. Each time I sanded, primer painted and sanded again (six times total), she began to look like a new proud cabin cruiser.

My cabin cruiser knew she was in good hands. She begin to look better, She asked for a new name, I named her after my mother: “Glenda Fae.” Both ladies were happy. I will launch her June 12, 2011 to her home in the blue waters of Port San Luis in Avila Bay, California . Her engines purrs and her all new electronics enable her to communicate globally and tell me everything I need to know. I look forward to sharing my cabin cruiser sunsets with my other love, Connie is the young lady in my picture. My Cabin Cruiser, "Glenda Fae," Connie and I are all in love!

More Sailing... this time on a bamboo raft from Fiji to Sydney... or down Sacramento river to San Francisco:

http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-sail-free-from-Fiji-to-Sydney

http://hubpages.com/hub/Sacramento-River-July-4th-Weekend-on-a-Raft-To-San-Francisco

See Completed Cabin Cruiser!

http://hubpages.com/hub/Life-is-Like-My-Cabin-Cruiser-From-Rags-to-Riches-I-get-to-Decide-What-is-Rich

600 Mile Ocean Trip With My Mom:

http://dallas93444.hubpages.com/hub/cabin-cruiser-ocean-odyssey