Many forum inquiries from potential Ericson owners focus rightly on size, initial cost, renovation and upkeep.
The numbers are indeed daunting, and experienced hands often shudder at the prospect of a young skipper with kids and a dog and a demanding job taking on a bargain boat--or any boat.
But partnerships can work. I've been in two. The first was a 25-foot Hunter in the 1970s at a time when I was traveling a lot, usually overextended, and a young father. I had one partner, then eventually two. The partners were equally busy and with competing financial commitments. We sailed together when we could -- we always had each other as ready crew. I hadn't known either guy before, we had little in common--and never had an argument. We split costs and enjoyed the deal for almost seven years. Neither could sail when they started and ended up fully experienced.
I campaigned a Soling with Larry Brodie for five years. Racing is very expensive--new sails and demands of time. We practiced or raced almost every weekend in Annapolis then, in a competitive fleet with two Olympians. I could never have done it without a partner to share the expenses, training and logistics. We (almost) never had an argument.
Are partnerships insufficiently considered by potential boatowners? I've always thought so. All it takes is a cup of coffee for a couple of strangers to know whether it makes sense to share a boat neither could afford alone.
The numbers are indeed daunting, and experienced hands often shudder at the prospect of a young skipper with kids and a dog and a demanding job taking on a bargain boat--or any boat.
But partnerships can work. I've been in two. The first was a 25-foot Hunter in the 1970s at a time when I was traveling a lot, usually overextended, and a young father. I had one partner, then eventually two. The partners were equally busy and with competing financial commitments. We sailed together when we could -- we always had each other as ready crew. I hadn't known either guy before, we had little in common--and never had an argument. We split costs and enjoyed the deal for almost seven years. Neither could sail when they started and ended up fully experienced.
I campaigned a Soling with Larry Brodie for five years. Racing is very expensive--new sails and demands of time. We practiced or raced almost every weekend in Annapolis then, in a competitive fleet with two Olympians. I could never have done it without a partner to share the expenses, training and logistics. We (almost) never had an argument.
Are partnerships insufficiently considered by potential boatowners? I've always thought so. All it takes is a cup of coffee for a couple of strangers to know whether it makes sense to share a boat neither could afford alone.