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We encourage our visitors to tell the club a little about themselves, their boat, favorite body of water (f.b.w.) and their favorite water activity (It's completely optional). About 60% of our members opt to fill in the form and tell us about their love of the water.
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| AVYC Member John of Indianapolis IN |
My first word was water (1953)and have
in, on, or around it ever since. |
| AVYC Member
Meredith of Berverly MA |
I love the water but do not have a boat
or any real sailing experience. I live in New England right on the coast and
could not imagine living away from the ocean. Your site peaked my curiosity, so
I thought I would see where it took me. And we are glad you did
Meredith |
| AVYC Member Dennis of Newport News VA |
Own 1974 Ranger 26 foot sailboat.
Presently sailing in lower Chesapeake Bay/Hampton Roads area. Its very shallow
and having a 4'6" draft my crew has come to believe that I've brought grounding
to an art form. |
| AVYC Member
Frank Annapolis MD |
I am now a stinkpot owner. I never
thought I would sink so low. However, I have been having a ball all summer. I
is really great now to have to get to the dock 2-3 hours before you leave. I
have a Bayliner 2050 SS Capri. With 220 horses you can get there and back again
in a hurry. But, taking your time is more enjoyable. |
| AVYC Member Allen of Decatur IL |
Biggest boating sob story since
the Titanic sank. I got into boating by accident. I have always have been a
closet or armchair boater. I thought all boats cost $20,000 and more from what
I had seen at the mall boat shows. My son had been working on restoring an old
VW dune buggy for about a year. It had a couple more years of labor to go, plus
2 or 3 thousand dollars more needed to be spent on it. Likely $1000 to $1500
had been put into the buggy already. Plus the value of the stereo "boom" system
from his car he traded for the dune buggy. (He was tried of tickets for noise.)
He had no clue how to inspect a used boat. He trustingly traded even the dune
buggy for a 1972 Reinell 16 foot openbow trihull with a 1972 50 horsepower
Mercury that was in the paper for $500. I guess he thought the boat was
underpriced and a fair trade. We found the motor would not start. He talked to several people around the marina about who to take it to. All recommended a guy that worked in the county at home. He offered to trade the Mercury for a rebuilt 1986 50 HP Force cheaper than repairing the older Mercury! After using the boat a short time we found the hull had a soft transom. Just before the fresh motor fell off, I learned how to cut out the fiberglass motor well, replace wood and alum. plate the back of the transom. My son this spring started to replace the carpet. Found the stringers, flotation foam and deck water soaked like a sponge just pulled from a bucket. Also seats rotten and falling apart. I found a pair of back to back seats at a garage sale for $25. Learned how to make new bowrider seats from new materials. Than I learned how to cut new stringers and deck, fiberglass it all together and install new carpet. My son backed up our driveway with the motor down and scraped the skeg good and split the lower unit. The fellow in the country was able to rebuild it reasonably with a useable case he found. We all enjoyed getting out in the boat quite a bit his year. Than I discovered late this spring while learning how to rewire the entire boat and install some gages and a new radio that the overheat alarm had never worked. It went off regularly for my son after replacing the buzzer. It seldom sounded for me. I think he would shut the motor done quickly for no wake zones and I feather it down to get heat from full throttle out slowly. . This August the motor developed a strange noise. Read manual and learned how to take it apart to inspect and found the crank center needle bearings crumbling. Also one piston was badly scored and both cylinders are badly scored. Luckily I had acquired from the guy in the country a parts motor I had been scavenging small parts from as I learned to work on motors to keep the Force tuned and running smooth. With $500 in new bearings, gaskets and water pump I could learn how to rebuild with all the best parts from both motors a cobbled together power head. The parts motor also had one badly scored piston and a bad ball bearing on crank. So I could not just swap power heads. Can not afford a new motor. Also all boat shop's I have talked to advise not to spend the price of a new motor on this old hull. The hull is rated for up to 100 HP I would like to find a good used 85 to 100 HP motor that is not a FORCE. The heavy fiberglass trihull on 50 HP barely planes out with 2 people. Painfully slow with any riders besides the wife and I. I told the owner of one of the local shops I had getting advice and parts from about all I had been through. He is a car buff also and seemed to indicate that if my son had come to him FIRST, he would have traded him a solid boat that RAN just to get the dune buggy for a project for himself. If you are new to boating, PAY if necessary for a survey or inspection by a boat shop of any used boat you are considering. Get a water pressure gage to monitor an outboard engine and don't depend on just the audible alarm and telltale squirter. Don't use gasoline containing any alcohol and use only the engine manufacturers brand oil. Still I have gotten a education and enjoyed learning about boats, getting out on the water and I am glad to not be an armchair boater any more. |
| AVYC Member Ryan of New Orleans LA |
I've always been fascinated by the water
and boats! Sailboats in particular. I've just started to deeply explore sailing
and want to learn as much as I can, so I started looking for people who share
my obsession. I love to sail and scuba! My f.b.w. so far is the Caribbean. I'll
hopefully own a boat soon! |
| AVYC Member Griffin of Taiwan |
i love boat and the sea . i'll buy a
boat when i come to america to sail the open sea. |
| AVYC Member Allen of Zelienople PA |
Sailing (no motors) is my favorite
activity, but I enjoy canoeing, and rowing, as well, and own two sailboats, one
canoe, and a rowboat. I've sailed more on Lake Erie, so that my be my favorite
B.W. However, The cruising I've done in Lake Huron's North Channel and in the
Whitsunday Islands (Australia) are the most memorable. Unfortunately, I gave up
the cruising boat to get a smaller daysailer for the inland lake 20 minutes
away since the family vetoed driving two hours every weekend. And I do get to
sneak away midweek every now and then! |
| AVYC Member David of Mannassas VA |
Although I live 25 miles west of
of washington DC , my heart is in OxnardCalf. with my son. He is really
responsible for cultivating my love for the water. He is located in a live
aboard marina where he resides in a Cal 30 while going to college and teaching
sailing for the city of Ventura. I am in the process of building myself both a
sabot which I plan to name BLACK SABOT and a glouster gull light dory. I can
use both of these on the local waters. Since I am in the wood working business
my son would like me to build a boat. I don't feel that I have this kind of
time unless I win the lottery. I would however be in the market to restore a
boat. I am thinking of a triton 28 or an Aberg 30. I would like to make it very
sea worthy and the interior something beyond belief. Is this only a dream? Time
will tell! |
| AVYC Member Mike of Glendale AZ |
I sail a 21' wooden boat, designed and
built by myself. The name is "Belle Donna". Almost finished with her second
restoration since 1992. ( I just can't leave well enough alone ) f.b.w.= lake
pleasant. |
| AVYC Member Goddy of New Zealand |
I sail a Ross 780 in New Zealand. I belong to Ngaroto Boating Club in Te Awamutu. We sial on a lake but do a lot of boating in the Hauraki Gulf in Auckland where the Americas cup was sailed. |
| AVYC Member Danny of Birmingham AL |
Hi, I love everything that you can
possibly do on, in or around the water. My favorite fresh water is Lewis Smith
Lake in Alabama and my favorite salty is Gulf Shores. Gulf Shores is great
because you have several bays to choose from and if you want to take on the big
water all you have to do is tach and gib to get past the sugar coated beaches.
There are a number of great restaurants around the bays for a quick stop of
great food. Look forward to hearing from you. Thanks! |
| AVYC Member
Bill Indianapolis IN |
I am a 46 year old electronics
service tech. I haven't grown up yet and don't see why I need to. I have owned
a 1963 Starcraft Islander (yes, that's right) for almost ten years now. I am
currently completing a total hull-up rebuild and restoration of this fine
little cruiser, and I will be in the water Memorial Day Weekend 2000. The boat,
named "Rock and Row", is white with teal trim and has all the latest toys. My
favorite H2O includes Patoka Lake in Indiana, Lake Shelbyville in Illinois, and
the Ohio River. Favorite things to do include anchoring in a quiet little cove
in the sun with a cold drink in one hand and a hot babe in the other. 'Nuff
said. |
| AVYC Member Pam of Nashville TN |
We have a run about on beautiful Center
Hill Lake in Middle Tennessee. Our favorite sport is skiing, but swimming and
lounging in the water with our daughter and dog is alot of fun! Pam |
| AVYC Member Dick of Fort Lauderdale FL |
I am a 57 year old airline pilot. I fly
B-747-400 for a major airline. I love boating in the Bahamas and Florida (Keys
& West Coast). We own a 47 ft. Atlantic Motoryacht. We are planning a
month's trip this summer to Jacksonville, FL then do the St. John's River as
far as possible. The past three summers we've spent the month of July in the
Bahamas. This year we got as far as Long Island. |
| AVYC Member George of Stowe VT |
Lake Champlain and Champlain Barge Canal
to Hudson River and Intracoastal to FL. I'm the Commodore of the Stowe Yacht
Club, Stowe, VT. Our burgee flies in many clubs around the world. However, our
home body of water is slightly over 3 acres where we race radio controlled
sailboats, Soling 1 Meter and EC-12's. We host the EC-12 National Championships
this September. |
| AVYC Member
Timothy Oklahoma City OK |
Bought a West Wight Potter 19, last
summer. Still trying to learn what I can. It is currently sitting at Lake
Draper, Oklahoma. Looking for some Blue Water, hopefully later. |
| AVYC Member Andio of Foert Myers FL |
I sailed for six months on the Pacific
from Mexico to Costa Rica. Locked in my already big love of the ocean. Vowed to
get my very own boat one day. Moved to Florida to work near the water. Closest
I've come to my own boat yet is a borrowed canoe sitting on my little backyard
dock. Oh well, one may dream, eh? |
| AVYC Member Vic of Sacramento CA |
Currently in the Army Nat'l Grd,
Also in CGAux and own a Boat repair business which I set up for when I retire.
Lived on a boat in LBeach, transferred up here and still involved with
"Boats-Water". I prefer the open Ocean, bay lakes then river (in that order) I
SCUBA which is why I prefer the Ocean. And of course a lot more. |
| AVYC Members Mike &
Janet of Hialeah FL |
Most of our boating is done on
Biscayne Bay and the Upper Florida Keys. We enjoy just dropping the anchor on
friday night for a relaxing weekend with fellow boaters and nature lovers...
always interested in meeting other couples whom enjoy the beauty and seclusion
of the ocean. |
| AVYC Member David of Santee CA |
I'm a San Diego native and my favorite
activity is floating around the San Diego Bay in the evening. The beautiful
city lights appear as though you can reach out and touch them. There is nothing
quite like it. |
| AVYC Member Frank of Aston PA |
Most of my sailing is on the
northern Chesapeake Bay. For the past nine years have been coordinating a
single's sailing retreat that normally takes place in June. Although, it is
oriented for singles many of our skippers and some of the crew are married.
This year (2000) we are sailing from Annpolis to St. Michaels in June and so
far have 22 boats in the fleet and about 130 people signed up. |
| AVYC Member Charles of Covington LA |
Live on Lake Ponchartrain. Have a
Catalina 22 and a Hunter 28.5 I am building a 15' electric Launch/Skiff, 36
volt and golf cart running gear. I would be as happy as a pig in slop just to
scrape barnacles off in a boatyard up north where real boats (wooden) are being
built and worked on. Down here in Louisiana, for some reason, most wooden boats
don't have much of a life span. |
| AVYC Member David A of Seatle WA |
I live in Seattle and therefore by
some great boating areas. I own a 15' Dory which I am in the process of
converting to a sail boat. I am also planing a kayak building project for
oct/nov of this year. Happy sailing David A |
| AVYC Member Fran of Montclair NJ |
My husband, Avi and I own a 43'
Bluewater Yacht. We are in the process of selling it so we can buy a 50' We
just use it for pleasure cruising and we cruise in the barnegat bay in New
Jersey and also some of the nearby rivers. Someday we want to take it to
Atlantic City and even the Chesapeake Bay..Great web site, Keep up the good
work. |
| AVYC Member JoAnn of Manchester NH |
Actually, my boyfriend loves to
sail. He needs a new sailing partner and is going to show me the ropes. I'm
brand new to this but excited and open to learning. He used to live in Newport,
RI where he worked at the Navy base before moving to Manchester, NH. That is
where I'll be experiencing my lessons with him. You'll see, with practice I'll
be novice no more! I was sent this information through e-mail by a friend of
mine out in Michigan who is an avid sailor. I just e-mailed him informing him
of my plans to learn how to sail and he probably thought I'd like this. Anyway,
I look forward to being a part of this. Thank you! JoAnne |
| AVYC Member Jimmy of Indianapolis IN |
boat on the white fiver in
indpls,in. only ride waverunners now but owned 40' sylvan house boat, 23' owens
cabin cruiser, and misc. run-a-bouts. not all pwc operators are assholes.i
drive my ski like it is 25' long and only get "silly" when there is not a boat
or swimmer for 100 yards. but it is february and 22 degrees in indy right now
and the closest i get to riding my ski is to go out to the garage, pop open a
beer, sit on it on the trailer and make those stupid motor sounds. can't wait
till memorial day.....thats all i got to say about that. |
| AVYC Member Jeff of Jackson Gap AL |
I am a retired prison warden living on
Lake Martin in Alabama. I have a 24' Harris pontoon, 19',Correct Craft
Southwind, 16' bass boat, canoe, aluminum row boat, Yamaha wave runner, 16'
Hobie Cat, and several other boats. My only gripe is that the Lake goes down
after Labor Day and boating is difficult to impossible after that. Jef
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| AVYC Member
Joe Anchorage AK |
We live in Alaska, but keep our
boat down in Washington State. We enjoy the warmer weather in the San Juans and
cruise there several times a year. Out boat is a 26' Nordic Tug, named "Scruffy
II". |
| AVYC Member Kevin of Olathe KS |
I boat at the Lake of the Ozarks...Party
Cove on occasion! just sold my 36' Trojan! Yes I have started looking...
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| AVYC Member Jac of Topeka KS |
We live on a small lake. It was in
need of dredging in some inlets. This has been an interesting as well as
expensive venture. We (the lake association) did that this winter. The dredging
company is just now packing up to leaving just in time for early fishing. I'm
sure some of the fisherpersons are chomping at the bit/lure! |
| AVYC Member Tom of Carle Place NY |
I sail the waters surrounding Long
Island NY. I try to get a week of sailing on one of the freshwater lakes each
summer ( lake george NY for example) I prefer sailing but have had several
power boats. I hope to cruise the NYUS canal sytem , and do the "loop" and
"triamgle" in the next 3-5 years. After thats is time for a nice long cruise
...maybe that ellusive "round the world" dream many sailors have. |
| AVYC Member Linda of Richland WA |
My husband and I have a 38' Bayliner and
keep it on the columbia river about 300 miles from the ocean but prefer to boat
in Puget sound. We may take it to Alaska this summer, but we will see about
family and weather. |
| AVYC Member Bruce of Wantagh NY |
Licensed Captain, Founder of two Yacht
Clubs, current personal vessel is a 32' Carver Mariner. Recreational Boating-
South & North Shore of Long Island, NY, Conneticut, Rhode Island,
Massachusetts and New Jersey. |
| AVYC Member Glenn of Richmond Hill GA |
I really like the Florida Keys, but I
only get there about once a year. I spend most of my time on the water around
Savannah Ga. My wife and I like to cruse up and down the ICW. I have a 2451
Bayliner Express Cruiser thats 3 feet too short. I trailer the boat so I can
explore different water and meet new people. I've spent 22 years as a military
pilot and enjoy camping, hiking and of course boating. |
| AVYC Member Will of Syracuse NY |
I'm a Power Squadron guy. I boat on the
St. Lawrence River and Lake Onterio. The main reason I own a boat is to keep me
dry when I am fishing. I have 7 kids (15 to 40 years old) and 3 grandchildren.
I've done some cruising and intend to do more ( how about bareboating in the
Aegean?) |
| AVYC Member A.C. of Knoxville TN |
Norris Lake in Tennessee is my favorite lake. I have a 1978 Cobalt which is in excellent shape and the motor runs great! The best part was that I got this boat for $950.00 and it is a jewel. We go to the lake every weekend! I restored a 1964 Chris Craft Express cruiser a few years ago. I enjoy working and restoring wooden boats. |
| AVYC Member Lefty of Newport MI |
Well, my wife and I live on Lake Erie
about 5 miles south of the Detroit River Chanel. We'd prefer warmer waters, but
then, who wouldn't. We're Sailboaters "gone bad".....Switched to power this
season. I float a 26' Sport Craft Center Console with twin 200 Mercs. As far as
activities go, I chase the elusive Walleye and together we visit the Islands
and many boat clubs around Erie's south/west shore. I look forward to
exchanging tips and information on power boating with others. Thanks...Short
Draft Lefty. |
| AVYC Member David of Pompano Beach FL |
We live in beutiful south florida. We
are new boaters (4 months) but we are trying to catch up to the rest of you
we've put 400 hrs on are 1993 25' four winns cabin cruiser. We've camped,
snorkeled, watched july 4th fire works, ft.lauderdale sea and air show(5'to
6'seas, thanks uncle sam for the ICW), snorkling in John Pennycamp,lots of
fun!!!, and most of the time just being lazy !!! |
| AVYC Member Clark of Tecumseh KS |
: I love to sail and mess with boats. I
own a 1969 20' C-Scow and a 1977 Chrysler 22' sailboat. My favorite place to be
in the water is Beaver Lake, Arkansas, the water is so warm and clear. I'm 44,
married, and have three sons who I force to crew for me! My wife abandoned ship
........ |
| AVYC Member Gary of New Smyra Beach FL |
Worked in boatyards building wooden
boats since I was 22 yrs. old.From Maine to Marathon I've had many adventures.
Have alot of friends up and down East coast that can afford nice boats.They
were always inviting me on thier journeys.Alass I find I can spend my money
elsewhere beside that hole in the water.It was Walker cay in January,Boca Raton
in March.Then Marathon in May July is flounder time in New Jersey.Every
September I'll be found on the Vineyard, Stripe Bass time. Locally I go with a
friend redfishing or shrimping on the Indian river.Recently I patched an
Airboat for my neighbor and he wants me to go gig frogs on the St. Johns
river.That sounds like fun !I honestly don't have time for a boat of my own
anymore.Most of these guys drink and I don't so guess they need a designated
driver. Lucky me I'm blessed with an understanding Wife to boot. Gulfstream
Gary |
| AVYC Member Bill of Mansfield OH |
Been a boater on Lake Erie since 1955,
when my dad bought our first family boat - a 1939 32' Wheeler Playmate.... That
warped my mind for life, I'm happy to say, and I can't be too far from a large
body of water for very long without becoming strange(r than usual). In 1980, I
decided I needed a boat, so purchased a 1962 55' Chris Craft Constellation as
my first boat! As someone pointed out at the time, that boat didn't know it was
bigger than my old outboard runabout.... We got along well, my boat and I,
until 1987. I'm also fortunate to have married my wife who responded to 'where
will we live' by announcing that she guessed she forgot to mention that she
fully expected to live aboard - which we did. And the rest as they
say........... |
| AVYC Member
Rosemary of Lakeland FL |
Favorite waters are the fresh water
lakes of central florida. Yes we have a 24 foot cruiser. |
| AVYC Member Marilyn of Canada |
Hi, all! My hubby Michael and I are
live-aboards (on a 1965 38' Chris Craft Constellation)on Vancouver Island's
east coast. It's been 5 years, and we've come to the conclusion that we'll
NEVER go back to land! Glad to be here, and looking forward to being part of
this 'community!' |
| AVYC Member John of Lockport NY |
Lake Ontario,600 ft.of cold blue
water...... I have 22 ft mason I/O that is undoubtedly the sturdiest boat on
the south shore. I hope some day to search for sunken ships and treasures.
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| AVYC Member Bill of Clifton VA |
"F.B.W." is the waterway, river, creeks
and marches/beaches aroud SWANSBORO, NC! Favorite activity is sharing with my
granchildren the wonders of the waterworld that I grew up in as a teenager (and
finding it's ALL still there for those who seek and can see). Boat is a 17'
Carolina Skiff, 40 hp, appropriately named (I think) our "POINT A". |
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