Beginning of Our Journey to Owning Zosca

On a bar when we got the idea

Ah, the allure of the open sea, the whisper of the wind in the sails, and the creak of the hull as it slices through the waves. My friend and I, seasoned sailors with a penchant for adventure, have always been drawn to the ocean’s call. Our journey to owning a charter sailing boat began with a simple idea that took root one fateful evening, fueled by camaraderie and, of course, a few beers.

A Sailing Friendship Forged on the High Seas

It all started with Typon, a magnificent Swan 47, owned by our close friend. We had the privilege of sailing with her on numerous offshore races, including the prestigious Spinnaker Cup from San Francisco to Monterey. These experiences not only deepened our love for sailing but also taught us the intricacies of boat maintenance. Helping our friend keep Typon in top shape became a hobby, a labor of love that we both relished.

The Evening That Changed Everything

One balmy evening, after a particularly exhilarating day on the water, my friend and I found ourselves at a local bar, recounting our adventures and dreaming of the future. With a couple of beers in hand, the conversation inevitably turned to the idea of owning our own boat. Not just any boat, but a vessel we could charter out, allowing others to experience the joys of sailing while also helping us cover the costs.

Owning a boat is no small investment, and we were well aware of the financial commitment involved. Caution tempered our enthusiasm, but the seed of the idea had been planted. My friend, having recently completed his ASA training at the Spinnaker Sailing Club in Redwood, mentioned that the club had several “privately owned” boats in their fleet. This piqued our interest and set us on a path of research and planning.

Crunching the Numbers

With renewed vigor, we delved into the world of charter boat ownership. We discovered that buying a boat specifically for a charter business could be a feasible option. The numbers made sense: we could offset the costs of ownership with charter income, and our maintenance skills would keep expenses in check. Plus, we had the support of the Spinnaker Sailing Club and its network of charter clients.

Our next evening discussion, once again accompanied by a few beers, cemented our decision. We were going to buy a boat. We had the skills, the knowledge, and the passion. Now, all we needed was the perfect vessel.

Setting Sail on a New Quest

Deciding to buy a boat was just the beginning. The next challenge was determining what type of boat would best suit our needs. We needed a vessel that was not only seaworthy and capable of offshore sailing but also comfortable and appealing to charter clients. The journey to find our perfect boat had begun, and it promised to be an adventure in itself.

Stay tuned as we navigate the world of boat buying, explore different designs, and eventually find the boat that would become the newest member of the Spinnaker Sailing Club fleet. This is just the beginning of our grand adventure, and we can’t wait to share every moment with you.