I empathize with your comment about selling a boat that has been dear to you. In 2001 I sold the boat that had been in our family for 35 years, and which was a central and defining influence in mine and my sisters' lives growing up and into middle age. But she went to a good home, as will your boat, and it has been gratifying knowing that others are enjoying and caring for her as much as we did. But I do understand the bittersweet sentiment!

Unfortunately Iain won't make it to RI as planned this weekend due to the storm and his job at a large power company on the outer banks of North Carolina which is now on full alert. We will all be meeting up next Saturday (Sept 3) to prep and head for Norfolk, weather dependent. We would have loved to have met you, and ask for any pointers getting to know the boat, but perhaps we can do that by email.

I think Iain might be in touch with you already, but if not my email is juanona40 (at) hotmail.com We'd love to be able to ask for any suggestions, tips, how things work. And it would be nice to meet you at some point, whether in RI or Maine.

Again, I commend you for keeping a beautiful boat. Good luck with storm this weekend.

Max