back sailing again!

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1

Posted by douglas.domurat (douglas.domurat@…>)

Hi Everyone,
Well Al Lorman’s former F30 Ab Initio, is now named Simply Different
and today went for its first sail since arriving in Thailand 2 weeks
ago. This is my first sail in about 17 years when I last sailed my
beloved F36 to San Diego as a delivery to the new owner. Sailing the
F30 today felt like I just stepped off my F36 last week. The feeling
was the same and the response just as I remembered. The only real
difference is that the main on my F36 was not loose footed. The main
on Simply Different looks to perfectly cut and shapes beautifully.
The weather here in the Gulf of Thailand was a bit overcast (albeit
about 95 degrees) with about 12-14 knots and 2-3 foot chop. I must
say it was DELIGHTFUL. All the Garhauer blocks and running rig felt
like new. We sailed for about 3 hours before heading in due to some
threatening squals approaching. (Started pouring rain as we docked).
In the past 2 weeks I had the mast awlgripped Cloud White, the
bottom painted (didn’t really need it), and the hull polished and
waxed. The re-rig took only a few hours as Al left most things
attached to the boom so it was easily put right again. Stepping the
mast was about a 20 minute affair and was amusingly simple.
The interior is under-going a re-fit. (Being really picky). The
ceiling panels removed and being replaced, all the interior teak
trim pieces removed, and all the interior wood and sole being
refinished by a fantastic marine cabinet maker and craftman. I’m
also having the portlight plastic replaced all around, new galley
sink, and head mirrors. I had the cushion covers dry cleaned and the
foam treated with some baby powder and everything is really fresh.
When we launched her I turned the key and pushed the button and she
started as if she was run yesterday! It must have been around 3.5
months since the engine was last run or the batteries charged.
(Shows the quality of maintenance and gear Al looked after).
Bascially the interior rework will make her pretty much boatshow
looking and a level of quality that well exceeds what the factory
put out. Truth be told what I bought from Al, I could have just
stepped the mast and splashed her and been very happy. But since I
spent considerable sums shipping her around the world I thought I’d
go the extra mile. The plus side is that labor here is about $5.00
per day so its not breaking the bank. Shes the talk of the marina
and a que is forming for folks wanting to go for a sail. The
interior won’t be fully completed for another 2 weeks or so. Still a
few other things to do but I suppose that will never end. I’ll try
to get some pics at that point. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do
and I look forward to exchanging to views with the group.
I can’t tell you how good it feels to be #1 back sailing and #2
enjoying the Freedom world again. I plan to cruise the local islands
and just enjoy weekend type excursions. Al, got a free weekend?

Cheers,

Doug
Simply Different
Jomtien, Thailand

2

Posted by Al Lorman (ajl@…>)


Who
would have thought, back in November when Doug and I were discussing the sale
of Ab Initio, that he would get to sail his new boat before I got to sail my
new (as yet unpurchased) new boat? Actually, had I realized that it would
take so much time ands effort to find a suitable successor to Ab Initio, I probably
wouldn’t have sold her.

In
any event, I am sitting in the cabin of my new boat, a 1985 Bristol 31.1, in
Oriental, N.C., waiting for the gale warnings to clear so that I can deliver
her back to Annapolis. My son and I drove down yesterday, thinking we
would cast off at first light today. The weather had different
ideas. Most of our trip will be under power on the ICW, but there are a
few potentially unpleasant bodies of water to cross. Since we’re
unfamiliar with this boat, we decided that having the engine die in 35 kts of
wind would probably be a trial by fire we’d just as soon pass up.
So we’re going through the boat and exploring how she’s set up and
finding all kinds of stuff left by the PO, who apparently bought a brand new boat
and simply walked away from the Bristol, leaving everything aboard. We’re
rafted up (for free!) at the marina which did some work before I took title and
staying in touch with the free wifi.

I’m
looking forward to seeing photos of the work Doug us having done. Simply
Different will clearly be a one of a kind freedom.

Al



From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of douglas.domurat
Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2008 11:23 AM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [FreedomOwnersGroup] back sailing again!

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Hi Everyone,
Well Al Lorman’s former F30 Ab Initio, is now named Simply Different
and today went for its first sail since arriving in Thailand 2 weeks
ago. This is my first sail in about 17 years when I last sailed my
beloved F36 to San Diego as a delivery to the new owner. Sailing the
F30 today felt like I just stepped off my F36 last week. The feeling
was the same and the response just as I remembered. The only real
difference is that the main on my F36 was not loose footed. The main
on Simply Different looks to perfectly cut and shapes beautifully.
The weather here in the Gulf of Thailand was a bit overcast (albeit
about 95 degrees) with about 12-14 knots and 2-3 foot chop. I must
say it was DELIGHTFUL. All the Garhauer blocks and running rig felt
like new. We sailed for about 3 hours before heading in due to some
threatening squals approaching. (Started pouring rain as we docked).
In the past 2 weeks I had the mast awlgripped Cloud White, the
bottom painted (didn’t really need it), and the hull polished and
waxed. The re-rig took only a few hours as Al left most things
attached to the boom so it was easily put right again. Stepping the
mast was about a 20 minute affair and was amusingly simple.
The interior is under-going a re-fit. (Being really picky). The
ceiling panels removed and being replaced, all the interior teak
trim pieces removed, and all the interior wood and sole being
refinished by a fantastic marine cabinet maker and craftman. I’m
also having the portlight plastic replaced all around, new galley
sink, and head mirrors. I had the cushion covers dry cleaned and the
foam treated with some baby powder and everything is really fresh.
When we launched her I turned the key and pushed the button and she
started as if she was run yesterday! It must have been around 3.5
months since the engine was last run or the batteries charged.
(Shows the quality of maintenance and gear Al looked after).
Bascially the interior rework will make her pretty much boatshow
looking and a level of quality that well exceeds what the factory
put out. Truth be told what I bought from Al, I could have just
stepped the mast and splashed her and been very happy. But since I
spent considerable sums shipping her around the world I thought I’d
go the extra mile. The plus side is that labor here is about $5.00
per day so its not breaking the bank. Shes the talk of the marina
and a que is forming for folks wanting to go for a sail. The
interior won’t be fully completed for another 2 weeks or so. Still a
few other things to do but I suppose that will never end. I’ll try
to get some pics at that point. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do
and I look forward to exchanging to views with the group.
I can’t tell you how good it feels to be #1 back sailing and #2
enjoying the Freedom world again. I plan to cruise the local islands
and just enjoy weekend type excursions. Al, got a free weekend?

Cheers,

Doug
Simply Different
Jomtien, Thailand


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