New guy

sharps4590 · Post by **sharps4590** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 5:04 pm

As stated above.....new guy....and hoping to own a Buccaneer tomorrow...maybe.

I haven't sailed in close to 30 years but always had the interest. What little I did sail isn't worthy of mention. It seems I collect hobbies and as I get older I collect the ones I always wanted to do. This is one of the few left and I'm looking forward to immersing myself in it. Already trying to figure out how to mount a swivel gun on the Buccaneer. Gotta be ready just in case some of these notorious Ozark pirates try to board.

Briefly, I'm 56, married to the same wonderful woman for 31 years, two sons, 34 and 36, by a previous poor judgement call on my part. Electrical contractor, hunt with rifle and bow, fly fish, play with my vintage sports cars, ( MG and Alfa...no Ferrari's, Porsche's or Jags in this poor mans garage), active in church....and that's about it.

I'm pleased to have been directed to this board and hope to continue even if I don't acquire the "Bucc".

Vic

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 5:26 pm

Welcome aboard !! Hope the Buc works out for you, hear they are a great boat..

(Former owner of a 1970 Fiat 850 Spider , and a 1976 MGB - both of which I wish I still had - There was also a little Renault Alliance convertible that I didn't mind seeing go - so poor man's garage is certainly "spoken here" !)

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 6:34 pm

Hey Vic!
First,
Welcome aboard!

Second
31 years!!!!! WOW! Congratulations to you and your bride!!!!

Lastly,
Good luck on the bucc! Even if you go with another boat, WELCOME!

Scott

mga1951 · Post by **mga1951** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 7:49 pm

Hi, Welcome to the group.
Saw your message about the MG. I just sold my 1959 MGA and now the proud owner of a restored 1973 Harvest Gold MGBGT. I upgraded to windows and door locks. :)
Right now have 25+ inches of snow on the ground. No MG driving, NO C-22 Sailing either. Told my wife today we will never get the boat out of our storage spot unless we use it like a sled and slide it out now!! :)

Nothing like driving your 73 MG to go sailing on your 76 Chrysler!!
I am still living in the "70's"???

sharps4590 · Post by **sharps4590** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 4:03 am

mga....I don't know if I could have sold an "A". But then the BGT's are quite a bit more modern and comfortable. I'm really wanting a TF or TD but I don't want the "B" or the ALfa Spider to have to go to get either. My "B" is a '74 with Sabrina's removed and the Alfa is an '81 Spider Veloce. There's an '06 Solstice sitting in the garage too but it has no character...sure quick and handles like it's on tracks tho.

EE, back in the day.....long days ago....I was a Fiat Mechanic. Only reason I was comfortable getting an Alfa. Italian cars are.....well.....Italian.

69, thanks for the congrats and thank all of you for the welcome. I'll be looking at the Bucc in a few hours and report back.

Vic

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 6:10 am

Warning - non sailing memory lane road ahead..

I loved and hated that 850, it was my first car of my own after driving my Dad's 64 Chevy Nova II. Sure got my kids mom's attention tho !

Mine would eat clutch cables, they stretched out until not usuable for some reason. And starters as well, those were fun to change out. People loved to swipe that chrome gas cap off the thing as well.

So you are familiar with the phrase "Fix It Again Tony" then ??

Detour concluded now...

sharps4590 · Post by **sharps4590** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 1:11 pm

"Fix It Again Tony". Yup, sure thing. I had a 124 and 128 Fiat and they were really pretty fair cars, but that was in the early 70's. I well remember the starters but don't recall having much problems with the clutch cables on the 850's. Seems we were always rebuilding the carb on them. We used to unbolt the rear of the car, slip a jack under the engine, unbolt it from the tranny, pull, pick the enging and set in on the bench. Not a lot there but they could be made to run.

The "Bucc" is sitting in my driveway.

Vic

javelin · Post by **javelin** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 1:57 pm

Owned an AMC Javelin. BEST/WORST car I ever had. So I named my 26 "Javelin "

lecker68 · Post by **lecker68** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 2:49 pm

Welcome aboard Vic. I have raced dirt track Latemodel and modified. My drag car was a 1960 Plymouth Valiant with a high 13:1 comp. 440 I also raced many open cockpit boats from E class to JJ ran albany to NY race in a 12' wood Eltro with twin 110 hp Merc. also had 2 Dean Swift 8' hydroplanes w/ 40 hp Merc. if I had known what they would be worth I never would have sold them with the custom double decker trailer. as far as non power I had Penguin, Ligtning and Thistle then a gap and Newport and Chrysler.

sharps4590 · Post by **sharps4590** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 3:03 pm

Thank you Lecker. A souped up 440 in a Valiant?......goodness.....could you keep that thing on the ground? Sounds as if you've had a life filled with speed both on and off the water. How interesting and fun it must be!!! I never did any drag strip or circle burner racing and certainly never any boat racing but did dabble in SCCA H Production.....a very long time ago.....and did have a mean little Triumph Spitfire aurocross car while I was in the Air Force and after I got out for a little while. The car and desire have been gone for a long time.

Love them MoPars tho!!! Still drive Dodge work trucks.

Vic

lecker68 · Post by **lecker68** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 3:07 pm

When I think of what I have done I am surprised that I am still on this earth but the speed days are behind me at 56 I just want to enjoy life and have fun when I am not working.

sharps4590 · Post by **sharps4590** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 3:19 pm

I understand that completely, we're the same age...for another week and a half. Unless you beat me to 57.

Vic

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 3:23 pm

Ahoy Vic,

Welcome to the fleet. Cars, sailboats, kids, spouses we've got them all plus lots of questions and some answers too. Congratulations on the new boat. We look forward to lots of good sailing stories and new idea's on restoration and will share what we know as well.

Thanks
Alan

sharps4590 · Post by **sharps4590** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 4:37 pm

Thanks Alan! I am more than confident once the new wears off I'll have more questions than a 12 year old asks about the birds and the bees!
Look forward to everyone's expertise...cuz I shorely ain't got none

Vic