In the Youth
I was introduced to sailing on Butterfly and a Starcraft Upstart (Flying Scot knock off). My Dads friend had an Ericson 39' in Fish Creek, WI. We spent many of days on this boat sailing the bay and Northern Michigan. Sailing on the Ericson 39' is the reason I own an Ericson. When it was time that I wanted to buy a boat, I did'nt even look at other boats. I was 100% set on buying an Ericson. I started out looking and wanting a 27', but realized the versatility of the E25 cb.
I got really lucky, there was one right in my neck of the woods that was begging to be loved! I did'nt realize the treasure that I blindly purchased. It turned out I was to be the 3rd owner. My guess is that the original owner really cared for this boat and the second owner just plain did'nt use it. All I had to do was some TLC and bring her into the 21st century.
I believe whether it's an Ericson or a scow, any boat I have ever been on, they all teach me something interesting and new. I actually have learned alot from boats that I have raced virtually on various websites.