Glenn's Blog: A New Flying Scot?

As many of you know Dorothy and I are considering ordering a new Flying Scot.  I plan to use this blog to chronicle the process and thinking.  Let me know if you find it interesting.

The first question is: In this economy, are you nuts?

Probably, but it's beside the point.  We are at the stage where our son will soon finish his undergraduate university studies, so shortly tuition will be a thing of the past.  I have (what appears to be) a stable job with good income.  And, most importantly the Purchase Approval Committee (Dorothy) says its time I treat myself!

The second question is: You have been climbing the club Flying Scot rankings.  Clearly "DJ" is performing well.  Why spend the money and possibly see no performance improvement?

"DJ", aka Flying Scot #3834, is about 26 years old and showing it.  The following problems are evident:

• The trailer needs to be replaced.  Bouyed by our experience at this summer's Flying Scot Wife-Husband regatta in Massachusetts, we plan to travel regularly with our Scot.  We also expect to, finally, get a dry-slip at the lake so dunking the trailer will become more frequent.  The trailer is steel and spent much of its life near Barnegat Bay in the salt air.  So much of it is rusted.  Trailer repair, no matter how minor, is at least a full day event accompanied by bloody knuckles and a few choice exclamations.
• Solo Setup.  Sometimes my crew is not available to sail.  On those days I frequently decide to sail solo.  DJ is not set up very well for this.  The vang control is too far forward as is the spinnaker toping lift.  The rudder needs a lifting mechanism better than me hanging off the transom with a boat hook.
• Deck and Seating Finish.  This is a biggy.  Before we owned her, DJ must have been stored without a cover.  The deck and seating fiberglass is porous and chalky.  I have a temporary workaround but it will require continual attention.  I know of no long term solution outside of re-gelcoating.
• Routine Maintenance - Centerboard Gasket, Masthead, Masthead Wind Indicator, Jib Halyard, Tiller Pin Wire, Mainsheet block fitting, Waterline Stripe.  All these need attention or replacement.

All this when taken together is my rationalization for an irrational act: Getting a brand-new Flying Scot

Also I must admit seeing the shiny new boats in the fleet owned by Mike and Brenda, Rick and Betsy, Greg and Judy, and "Yo Buddy" Phil have me a little envious.  Recently sailing on Commodore George's Flying Scot equipped with new mainsheet tackle has also shown me the value of new efficient blocks.

Besides. I want it!

Glenn Wesley

FS 3834

Here is Part 2!