If everything works out OK, I'll be taking possession of a 33 Morgan Out Island sailboat at the end of next week. This is a big step up from the 27 Catalina I currently own. The 33 is very comfortable, built for ocean cruising, has every imaginable commodity onboard and quite spacious.

My plan is to partially retire in 2012. I'll be 72 years old and hopefully, still in relatively good health. If my health doesn't deteriorate, I figure on setting up a light playing schedule in Maryland from May through early October, which is essentially most of the summer months. In early October, the music gear and provisions will be loaded aboard the boat, the sails raised, the a leisurely trip will be made down the ICW, or the Atlantic Coast if the weather allows, to Marathon Key, Florida, where I hope to be playing the dockside Tiki bars during the height of their tourist season, which is November through April.

Naturally, I have planned several side trips to the Dry Tortugas, Bahama Islands, BVI and a few other locations. Might even sail to Tony Rome's place for a couple days of fun in the sun and the world's best snorkeling.

Of course, my loving spouse of nearly a half-century thinks I'm completely out of my mind. Who knows, she may be right. Of course, she may also opt to go with me and bask in the tropics for the winter instead of clearing snow from the sidewalk and driveway, which is a killer task most years.

Attached are a few photos of the boat.









The above photos are from a boat in Florida, but the one I'm getting is nearly identical, but has teak interior decks and a little more teak trim inside and outside. The boat also is equipped with air conditioning, refrigeration and heat.

Cheers,

Gary

Wow, that is awesome Gary! Will you take me, Daddy? A spin around the block would do. Actually, I've never been sailing! Except for one spin in a tiny sunfish. I think we had to paddle back to shore cuz we didn't know how to sail, haha. But she was purty, so, I didn't mind.

Hi Gary

Looks very, very good; and your plans sounds very, very good too.

Don't forget to visit US Virgin Islands, which is a former Danish territorium. US bought the islands in 1917 for 25,000,000 $. These islands are "Our Lost Paradise".

I was there in 2008. Look at my photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/jososoft/DanskVestindienUSVirginIslands#slideshow

Wish I were there right now. Much snow and 0 centigrade in Denmark right now. Brrrrr.....

Best wishes
Jørgen

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The Unofficial YAMAHA Keyboard Resource Site

ahhh. the good life... how sweet it must be. Imprpressive pics. Gar, you certainly have earned it. Enjoy! - Scott

Jorgen,

I'm hoping the U.S. Virgin Islands will also be on my itinerary as well. Great photos, and I sure wish I was there right now. The temperature here last night was 13-degrees-f last night and snow is forecast for Monday. I hate winter in this part of the world.

Gary

Gary. Sounding good...nice boat.
QUESTION. Don't wait until 2012...DO IT NOW whilst you are able.

a Chinese gentleman once told me to retire early as he stated...Remember you can't buy time !!!

Bill,

You're welcome to go with me anytime you wish.

Graham,

I would have semi-retired in 2011, but the boat didn't become available until early November. Unfortunately, by that time I had already booked all of 2011 through to January 2012. I always keep my promises, and of course that includes commitments to my music accounts. I've been very fortunate throughout my musical career and over the years have developed a great relationship with all of my accounts. I've already informed them of my plans, and they've been very supportive. Some, however, think I'm too young to cut back and wish I would continue my current schedule, which is out of the question.

Thanks again everyone,

Gary

Gary, Wow, nice boat!! Congratulations, now I know why you kept your PSR3000s save that money for the home away from home. Best of luck to you............and who know in a couple of years I'll be able to keep the plans that fell thru earlier this year for a move to Florida. If that happens you can sail right by my front yard and pay us a visit. Of course, if you find the time you could always sail north to Newport and Block Island Sound.

Newport and Block Island Sound would be a neat trip for this coming summer. I'll have to calculate the time frame and see if it will fit into the schedule.

Thanks for the invitation,

Gary

Hi Gary,

All I can say is wow!!! I know that boat and it's perfect for what you want to do. The only thing I question is your trip to the Virgins. You do know that they are almost 1000 miles from South Florida and you would be sailing directly into the trades. Not fun! A more favorable route would be sailing out to sea from North Carolina and then sailing down on a beam reach. Anyway, congrats on the new boat. I can't wait to see it.

Joe

Gary, A dream come through. I had the same dream since 1958 but I let the world lead me in a different direction.

Gary, I am proud of you – you have planed well for a beautiful dream. My prayers will be for good health so that you would enjoy every precious minute on the fantastic boat.

I feel that there will be men who reads your post who will regret not fighting for their dream. You’re – in my eyes – a successful man, you have done it. Talking about feeling good about how you have lead your life, nice. Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy

The best to you, John C.

Any luck with the new toy. You well deserve!
Congratulations, my friend
Regards from Brazil

Congratulations, Gary...I hope the boat deal goes through, and your trip is successful.

It's nice to see someone actually live their dream.

Ian

Thanks Guys,

I'm really looking forward to next spring when I will be getting back on the water again. Winter, at least for me, seems to be longer every year. My current boat didn't get winterized until the last week in November this year, which is fairly late for this part of the world. Even then I still wanted to go sailing on the few warmer days when the winds were favorable.

Joe, I looked at the prevailing winds charts and you're right--it would be a long, slow trip from south Florida. It's just over 900 miles of sailing right into the wind. Even close hauled with a 150 Genoa it would take forever. I might have to wait another year for that trip and head offshore from the outer banks, which would be a better route for sailing. What the heck, at my age being in a hurry is not what I want to do.

I talked with the marina owner this morning where the new boat is stored and he said he would put it in the water any time I wished during the month of April. I'm looking forward to sailing her up the Chesapeake to the marina where my Catalina is now berthed. 2011 is really going to be a fun year.

Cheers,

Gary

Congratulations Gary! You have (2) wonderful passions, music and nature . Kind of like Loggins and Messina "Full Sail"

[This message has been edited by zuki (edited 12-10-2010).]

Gary, my friend, Lydia and I wish you and Carol the best ... and you get to Newport or Block Island we will come to meet you!!! ...

Jorgen ... beautiful photos, ... some of your photos were reminiscent of Charlotte Amalie (perhaps as seen from Bluebeard's Castle Hotel), Frenchman's Reef, and Megan's Bay in St. Thomas ...

t.

Gary...
I have notified the marinas on Florida's east coast and they are aware they have just one year to stock up on Kick-a-poo Joy Juice.
Eddie

A wonderful ship Gary...I applaud you for following your dreams. The wife and I moved down to Tampa from New York earlier this year and we have never looked back. Florida is boating paradise.

Do you get to rename her or do boats names carry on regardless of different owners?

If you do rename her, what will it be?

Looks incredible. Congrats...

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Bill in Dayton

For Heaven's sake, Gary... don't sail near Somalia... LOL! I don't think we could take-up a collection large enough to ransom you.

Congrats on the new acquisition. Are ya' gonna be able to take an arranger along with you?

Regards,

Dave Rice
http://www.ShowCaseYourMusic.com/DaveRice/

Bill,

The boat is currently named "Saturday's Child," however, the boat is not documented therefore the name can be changed. Maybe Travlin' Easy might be appropriate.

Have no fear about me sailing to Somalia--I don't think I'm young enough to make an Atlantic crossing in a 33-foot sailboat. I may sail to Bermuda and that trip takes 4 to 6 days of sailing 24-hours a day.

Cheers,

Gary

Can it be named anything OTHER than "Travlin' Easy" ?!?!?

t.

Yep! Any name you wish--"Crazy Old Fart" has a good ring to it, but I think that name has probably been taken. Hmmmm! I think I recall Carol mentioning something along those lines.

Gary