Indeed, Andrea Dollins, the searchfor a boat is at least half the fun. When you consider the down side of actual boat ownership -- maintenance, slip fees, dry storage -- maybe it's more than half. Like courtship vs. conquest, perhaps.
But in the case of the Mariner quest, there is this to anticipate once a boat is acquired. On Oct. 17, should we have a Mariner, we can enter it in what amounts to our local "race of the year" -- the Burlington Island Race.
The Red Dragon Canoe Club holds this race every year in October. Any boat that does not use an engine can enter -- sailboat, canoe, kayak, row boat, racing shell, you name it. Most years, one of the paddle boats wins because the winds on average are inconsistant.
The last two times I've entered in our 420, sailing singlehanded, I've capsized in heavy winds, once having to be towed to shore after a half hour in 52-degree, hypothermia-inducing river water. I was glad for the opportunity to understand how hypothermia works -- and for the tow home.
The race starts on the Delaware River in front of the Red Dragon and heads upstream, rounding mile-long Burlington Island about four miles upstream and returning to the starting line. First boat over the line wins. There is no handicapping.
A Mariner, even one without a name yet, stands a good chance to win if the wind is northerly and the race is a reach in both directions. Mariners can, with enough wind, plane.
Of course, there are two other Mariners at the Red Dragon, so there's no telling which one would be fastest.
Then there is the perennial favorite among sailors -- Rich Vishton and his beautiful red sailboat.
So I'm hoping to consumate a deal soon on a Mariner so Monica -- I'm always thinking of her, you know -- can have a shot at the glory.