81 year old dream

[shrektruck]

Visited my folks this fall and told my dad about the new Mac and the fun we've been having on it. He's been getting Sail magazine as long as I can remember and I think he was more excited about the new boat than I was.
Raising six kids I guess he just never had the money or time to fulfill HIS dreams. Well, my boat kicked off the dream and at 81 years old he started scouring the net for a bargain and came up with a 97 Hunter 26.
Not that I need a reason but you can bet I'm gonna be in Cheyenne this spring to make sure he gets to sail it at least once.

[shrektruck]

I guess that's off topic since dad bought a Hunter instead of a Mac. It's so heartwarming to me I just had to share it though.

[kmclemore]

Absolutely! Glad to hear he's finally getting his dream, and that you'll get to share it with him, for however long (hopefully a great many years!).

I shared a boat with my dad, too, for almost 25 years. Today he's gone, but our boat is still in the family... and now named after him so that we'll remember him every time we sail her.

[shrektruck]

Great memories. Also a great way to honor your dad. I can really see the resemblance.

[Curwen]

LOVE IT!! Congrats to both of you. I don't think father-son boating stories are off topic on this forum.

I'm doing BVI with my brother in June and hope to do the San Juan Islands with my dad and brothers this summer.

[Gazmn]

LOVE IT!! Congrats to both of you. I don't think father-son boating stories are off topic on this forum.

Let's just call it...

Paternal Dispensation

To Father's...

[Daniel]

LOVE IT!! Congrats to both of you. I don't think father-son boating stories are off topic on this forum.

Let's just call it...

Paternal Dispensation

To Father's...

HERE HERE!

[JotaErre]

I'ts never too late. Congratulations to your dad!

[sailboatmike]

Thats just awesome!!

I introduced my mother to sailing a few months ago, she was the tender age of 78 at the time, I took her out in my little Mirror Dinghy in VERY light conditions, we floated around more than sailed, but it was a true bonding moment and she loved it, unfortunately since then whenever she has been down the winds have been too strong or its been raining.

She is looking forward to her next sail as soon as the planets align and she is at the club and the conditions are such that she wont get too scared when the boat heels over.

Unfortunately dad has dementia so the trip down the channel to take her for a sail on the Mac wont happen in the short term as Dad cant get onboard with his dodgy hips and the inlet is just too tight for a big boat like the Mac. His attention span is also very short, so when he wants to go back he wants to be back NOW, with a 1/2 transit down the channel to the dock thats just not going to happen

[mastreb]

One of my very good friend's father had always wanted a MacGregor, and was very excited when I got my boat. It was a great moment taking him out (at age 83) for the first time on a boat he'd been following for over 25 years.

[shrektruck]

Mike, my mother has dementia also (83) fortunately, dad is her rock rather than any physical location or thing (as long as he brings her cough drops) she is ok for trips up to 3-4 hours. Mastereb, glad you were able to do that for him.
Since posting this my dad and I have been swapping upgrade plans- I have more agility and energy but he is way ahead of me in the funding and free time departments!
I'm getting excited for spring already. Thank god for hunting season to keep me occupied till it warms up!