PAGE 20 • WINTER 2005 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION
ASA MEMBER PROFILE • EARL AND PATTI MORROW
ASA is always interested in its members! If you have a
great story about how you got into sailing and how you
joined ASA, we’d love to hear it. Send your story to:
American Sailing Association
P.O. Box 12079
Marina Del Rey, CA 90295-3079
or email info@american-sailing.com
What a ride and what an enriching experience my wife
and I began in the toilet at the golf course! I haven’t
Earl and Patti Morrow found that sailing together gave
played golf since.
them an activity they could both relax and enjoy.
P
atti and I are empty nesters. You sort of re-define
Patti, though she thought it just one more expensive
your life when your kid gets married and moves
hobby (yeah, I’ve got them; I fly airplanes, fly fish, golf,
their stuff out of the basement.
the jet boat …) decided since I’d taken BKB, BCC and
BBC and belonged to the Passport Sailing Club, she’d
better see what had me so “hooked.” Of all the right
I’ve been around and owned various boats, from canoes
things I’ve done, sending her to take those same courses
to rowboats to runabouts to houseboats since I was
was the best decision I’ve ever made.
eleven years old. My family: parents, siblings and now
spouse have always been subjected to the thrill, expense,
We purchased an Islander Bahama and enjoy sailing it
maintenance and trouble that boats just are. For the
together at Lake Lanier. We have also sailed a good bit in
most part, the rest of the family never thought it was
the Gulf of Mexico, chartering from our friends, Cathy
worth the hassle. I, on the other hand, have always
and John Struchen and Ron Rose at Lanier Sailing
wondered, if the world is seventy percent water, why is it
Academy in Pensacola, Fla.
always so far to the beach?!
Patti and I took Advanced Coastal Cruising in the British
My experience was mostly with powered boats and
Virgin Islands with Capt. Stacey Brooks of Sea Dog
sailing remained “mysterious.” Also, when I was younger,
Sailing and loved the experience. We love the islands
I had that juvenile appreciation for loud, rude and fast.
because of the reliability of winds, the ease of navigation
I’m older now, a certified public accountant, married to a
wonderful woman and have spent way too much time
and the beautiful sights. Yes, the partying is great, but
lashed to a desk, employees and accounts. I’ve gotten
we’ll sail ten hours and party two. We’ve also chartered
old enough now (it happened while I was at the office) to
from Sunsail in the British Virgin Islands and are
know that there is more to life than tax returns.
planning another trip soon.
A few years ago, a bank officer client noticed my lights
I teach Basic Keel Boat now at Lanier Sailing Academy.
on at about eleven thirty p.m. and stopped at my office.
Capt. Matt Fleming operates a first class facility and
He was grateful for a piece of work I’d done, and he
school there, and I’m truly grateful to be a part of the
warned me I worked too much and stopped to tell me he
experience. Patti and I have completed the ASA
had the cure. He threw a key on my desk, gave me a slip
curriculum through Celestial Navigation. We are looking
number and said, “She’s yours. Just go get her.” He
forward to Offshore Passagemaking and hope to do the
warned me he hadn’t seen the boat in over two years so
Ft. Lauderdale to Bermuda trip for that certification.
she probably needed a cleaning up.
Patti and I are trying to find the limits for what we enjoy
and haven’t gotten there yet. If we don’t find them soon,
I decided this was my excuse. But first I needed to learn
we’re looking to sell our home and find a blue water boat
to sail — the right way, so as not to embarrass myself. I
for some serious passagemaking.
was unsure where to start. A few weeks later, I decided
to visit the men’s room before teeing off with clients. Lo
Patti and I are grateful for sailing as we have something
and behold, there was a pamphlet rack beside the
we enjoy doing together, something which makes it easy
porcelain fixture and in it were brochures from Lanier
for us to sneak out of work when the wind is blowing!
Sailing Academy advertising their ASA basic keel boat
course! I called and scheduled my class that afternoon
I’m really grateful that long-sighted individual who saw fit
on the way home from golf. to put sailing brochures in the stall at the golf club. R
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