"I hope I don't see you again", I said. I was a little tired.

It was nothing personal, I had put that screw, and a couple dozen others, in about 10 years ago when I pulled the wooden hatch shortly after buying the boat. It's a tedious job because the screws are countersunk into the woodencabin, filled, and then covered with a trim piece. A task you remember.

It was then that I realized, a boat you own, especially if you maintain it yourself, measures a portion of your life.

You can look around and see the tasks you've completed over the years and they fall into a sort of time line, with sailing seasons, cruises, the ages of a growing family over the years, and all the important events you shared together. If you do these things yourself, it's quite personal and others wouldn't see the same time yardstick you do.

Maybe I was a little harsh on that screw because I've done some nasty tasks this spring getting the boat ready. Several things came due, like that leaking hatch, that were a lot of work. I've learned much in 10 years from this 50 year old boat. I suspect I've done a better job bedding that hatch this time, and maybe I'm thinking I won't be addressing it again, in my time with the boat.

So on further thought that night, I added to that screw, "On second thought, I think I would like to see you again, say, in 15 years?"

There's a small chance some of us that own these Alden Challengers will have an informal get together somewhere. So I rolled and tipped the topsides this spring as well. The old boat will be a lot of fun to use this year. I'm looking forward to launching.