Well said, Sean. I hope we can join you for next year's party! Gordon Gordon On Feb 18, 2010, at 8:58 AM, Nebwest2@aol.com wrote:

Gordon,

Thanks for that, but really, all I had to do was to say, "Hey Guys, c'mon down!" The folks that sail these boats , and I am talking pocket cruisers in general, are a unique crowd. We are extremely diverse in our backgrounds and brought together by this common interest. One thing I find about them that's becoming "uncommon" a lot of times these days, are their values and willingness to take responsibility for themselves. This may have something to do with why they are drawn to sailing. We all know that,in a sailboat, once you leave the dock, you are pretty much on your own. There isn't a lot another sailor can do to assist you if things get "sporty" as they will have their hands full as well. This self-reliance was totally evident in the group that attended this event. So many of them offered and provided assistance in putting the event on, and without exception, everyone that offered to take on a specific task, did so, and saw it through to the end without having to be babysat. It was an outstanding experience for me to work with folks like that. Guys/gals contacted me throughout the process of setting up the event and not only did they ask what they could do to help, they actually thought of things that needed to be done on their own, called me, and said "if it's OK with you, I'd like to do this or that". It didn't matter if they sailed Montgomerys, Compacs, Sanibels, Potters, Guppies, Drascombes.....they were all there, and everyone worked together to pull off a great event. And speaking of all the different types of boats that were here, personally, for me that was a victory. Obviously, like many of you out there, I am partial to Montgomerys as they are my choice to sail and I love them dearly. But, there are a lot of great folks out there sailing different boats as well that have a love of sailing just as deep as mine. Some times we tend to get a little polarized about the boats we sail as do the owners of some of the other brands. Brand loyalty is a good thing. But my personal experience is that if you limit yourself to only socializing with folks sailing exactly what you are, you are going to miss meeting some fantastic people. I have learned over the last four years not to prejudge someone by the boat they sail and I think that some others have as well. Jo and I have attended a ton of events put on by a group called the Socal Potters. Although they began as a Potter only group, they evolved under the leadership of their organizer Howie Goldbrandsen. Howie welcomed anyone to sail with them, and these days, when you attend their events there are as many non-Potter boats as their are Potters. Yes, there is always some good natured ribbing going back and forth, but the friendships are amongst the sailors, not the boats. I have had the distinct pleasure of becoming friends with many of that group and frankly, I would have to look back and say that the decision to go over there and give sailing with them a try ended up being a life changing decision for me. I feel that deeply about how the friendships there have affected my life. The experiences we had sailing with Howie's group made us decide to try something that previously would have been out of the question for us...hitch up our boat, tow it 1500 miles to the Northwest to meet a group of other sailors for a week long trip through the San Juans. Wouldn't you know it? We did it, and guess what? Another lifelong group of friendships. It was such a great experience that two years later we returned to join them for a two week trip that was event better. These friendships run deep. Last week I went to the Las Vegas Airport and picked up my good buddies Larry Yake and Gary Hyde from Washington who flew down for the event and along with Howie helped me put this thing on. And the friendships just get better and better.

I appreciate the praise for putting the event on very much. But please know, this was a group effort. Right down to the guys/gals drove over 1000 miles or more to attend. Without them, we wouldn't have an event. I think everyone went home a richer person. Not so much for the great sailing we got in, and we did! But for the people that they met, and the friendships that were formed and strengthened. I think a lot of folks also came to the realization as I have, that I am not so much a Montgomery Guy, and they are not so much Potter Guys, or Compac Guys, or Sanibel Guys, but we are all sailors and most importantly, we are all friends.

It was a great experience. We've already started planning for next year. 63 or so boats actually made it this year....would you think I was crazy if I told you our goal was 100-120 next year? OK, so I guess I am crazy then! We think we can top the 100 boat mark and that's the goal. This town was fired up about the event and is getting behind it. Plan on joining us. You won't regret it!!! I promise!

S _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats

Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet!