Buy this Albin 28!

2005 Tournament Express Flush Deck version 315hp Yanmar diesel. Comes with nine-foot alum RIB with new 6hp Yamaha – all on a SeaWise tilt-up davit system. New electronics plus Lifeline AGM batteries. Bowthruster. Pilothouse canvas enclosure. Navy-blue hull. $149K, Call Bill 250-537-2251 or cell 604-880-3551

Surveyors

De Groot Marine Surveyors

plotted our course from Granville Island to Comox to pick up guests and set off for Prideaux Haven and our first attempt at anchoring solo. With some friendly advice and assistance from nearby experienced boaters, this voyage too ended uneventfully.

Our final trip of the year was to be a Desolation Sound Christmas. The state of the vessel had been steadily deteriorating as the business through whom we had originally leased had been sold. We arrived at the marina to find our vessel cold and dirty—with a clogged head, metal filings in the oil, and a myriad of other issues. My wife called up to the office to complain and they sent down their newly graduated fleet manager. Apparently, “Safety 101” is no longer taught in trade school as he strung the extension cord across the stairs for the wet/dry vacuum to suck out the head. He exited the head to make his way up the stairs with the black water laden vac and tripped on the extension cord. My wife witnessed the whole event. The black water landed on the leather couch and floor, narrowly missing my wife. Some of the detritus landed on our bags.

After two hours of bickering with the owner of the company we received our refund for the portion of the lease we were unable to use due to the state of the vessel. No more rentals for us, now we look forward to retirement and owning our own very clean and wellmaintained vessel.

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Have a funny or interesting story? Cockpit Confession is a readersubmitted column and we are always looking for another good yarn. Send your 600-word story to editor@pacificyachting.com. We’ll send you a T-shirt!

My Father was a sailor in the merchant marines during the Second World War. His yarns became my bedtime stories. Every night, a wide-eyed young lad would listen to the seafaring tales of adventure. It is therefore without wonder that the saltwater which courses through all our veins—though only afflicts a few of us with an obsession of the sea—manifested in me. This disease called “boating” can lay dormant for decades only to show itself later in life, robbing those afflicted of all reason—