An Engagement Thread – Restarting a personal 26X Story
I have been about aviation since a child and became a pilot when I left college, flying around in Cessna 152s and 172s - terrorizing the populace, and my passengers. I grew that into antics that have had me flying warbirds and as a pinnacle effort: owning, maintaining and operating an L-39 jet for about 5 years. Several years ago it occurred to me that under the banyan tree of aviation no grass will grow. And aviation is often solitary. Sailing seemed a less expensive way to burn money in a more languid manner than a .8-hour heated rush that many flights are. Stop laughing please, I could instead share a mellower thing with friends on the water.
In 2012 we bought a 26X, some argue that I have no sense. But in engineering speak, this is a requirements problem - the Mac fit the needs and requirements for puddle pirating. I have enjoyed it when out on the local reservoirs and indeed have rediscovered the cooling benefits of anchoring in the shade of rocky bluffs in 72 degree waters when it is 115 degrees in the AZ summer. On top of that I have made some modest improvements to lighting and steering, and some upholstery, nothing earth shattering.
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Now: In my COVID-19 spare time I rolled the 5 years dormant 26x out onto the front driveway and erected the mast. Perhaps as a salute to moving forward.
It looks good there – I anthropomorphize complex machines as it helps me understand them. The 26X is aware of me and knows it’s activity level will change. The adventure re-awakens. An incongruous orange ladder gets me up to the dusty deck, first exposed after five years of sitting with a Sunbrella cover on the trailer. Jeanne (My wife) warned me of black widow spiders. ‘Dragonfly’ has weathered fairly well. No spiders.
So I hose off the dusty exterior. Standing on the deck, amid the visual entropy of so many projects. Some would call it wreckage – we (you, me and the 26X) see potential. I notice a missing pull for the snap shackle on the main-sheet. Hmmm, paracord? I go to Youtube and afterwards braid up a pull, sitting in the garage in the cool evening under garage lighting. Melting the bitter ends with a tool made to cut Sunbrella. I then ‘install it’.
It is a start.
26x
Perhaps it is the 26X’s fault…not sure. About 3 years ago it occurred to me that I really want to earn my time back and perhaps live near an ocean and marina. It hasn’t come to pass yet; but - there is a plan. My wife is game to try this, so we are both working a plan with simple goals and milestones. Sorting out money, stuff and a schedule.
We’ve set up a rental vacation home as a mechanism that might allow a modest early departure from a full-time employ. It is in Sedona for those interested. This was a challenge, as 2008 -2010 really beat us up. My wife and I had our own businesses that foundered during the ‘Great Recession’. We have recovered fairly well, but our savings investments are modest.
My aircraft are gone/sold. I work for a large aircraft manufacturer in Mesa AZ. I am 59 and not getting any better looking. On the plus side - I do have a gray moustache. – Gents with moustaches get things done. This is known. So with great moustache comes great responsibility. I would like more than lakes to sail on please. Where to go?
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A strap that has shredded to powder extrudes from the zipped bimini cover.
Hmmm.
So I repaired the Bimini. I had remade it in 2015 on an old Rex industrial sewing machine but failed to use UV resistant webbing strap, I replaced all of the straps and it is good now. For a moment, all is well. Where to next?
PV
How to make it work? We plan to eventually move to the Puerto Vallarta region in Mexico, and live there as expats for part of the year and Summer back in AZ. We’ve taken a couple of trips there and we love the people and the place. There are two available marinas and Banderas Bay is one of the largest bays of its kind, offering potentially mellow waters for sailing in the bay and perhaps light coastal stuff. That is our surmise at least.
Is the 26X adequate to the task? Will it be adequate for light cruising in the area? What will I need to do to make it truly ’seaworthy’. Will the X be enough boat-am I suffering from bigger boat syndrome? These questions ring in my mind.
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It looks good there, on the driveway – I anthropomorphize complex machines as it helps me understand them. The 26X is aware of me and knows it’s activity level will change. The adventure continues.
I've made progress, I will share it in separate posts so this isn't too long.
Picture of Dragonfly in driveway:
Bob Violett models copied my paint scheme on an RC model they made, even though it is a polyglot of several countries markings. the 2008 recession swallowed the funds, but it was grand. Good times.
(not a hobby). The ability to read a book anchored under the cliffs in Canyon Lake, Arizona coupled with an occasional dip in the cool water was unmatched by the heated rush of a fast warbird flight. I could share the Mac easily with friends and be out all day. 