PAGE 22 • SPRING 2009 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION
SPRING 2009 • PAGE 23
ASA MEMBER PROFILE • J.I. “MIKE” FINLEY
BUYING USED
continued from page 20
I
t was truly a glorious day on the gulf coast of
Major Expenses – These are failures that are less serious
Mississippi, the day I became acquainted with
in nature, but still expensive to repair or replace. They
sailing. It was a warm and sunshiny day in 1997. A
become further negotiating points to gain concession
friend of a friend asked a group of us if we would like to
from the seller before the sale is consummated. These
drive over to Mobile, Alabama, and go for a sail on his
items typically include: batteries, instrumentation,
pristine old Morgan 35 Classic. We were excited. I had
running rigging, seacocks, sails, rudder posts, auto
been an avid power boater for years, but I was a little
pilots, refrigeration, windlasses, pumps, hoses, or any
skeptical about all the hype about sailing that I had
other major system failures.
heard from all of the sailing folks I knew. Our benefactor
was the perfect host and a very accomplished sailor. He
Minor Items – The third category is minor issues that you
guided his “baby” out into Mobile Bay and away we
may want the seller to pay for, but would be willing to
went. In that instant, I was hooked. It was the experience
live with or accept. These can include: cosmetic issues,
of a lifetime! I vowed to go home and “get a sailboat of
minor issues to any of the above or major systems that
my own.”
are currently working but may not be working for long.
It came in the form of a Catalina 22. We rubbed and
Summary
scrubbed her, painted and prepped her and away we Most new buyers enjoy the process of looking for a boat
went. At every opportunity, we put her in the water “to and consider the purchase process complete once the
learn a thing or two.” Then, that fateful day arrived as it price negotiation is over and the contract signed.
seems to always do with power boaters and sailors alike -
ASA member Mike Finley now enjoys voyages through the
However, the hard work of the sale is in locating the best
I got the “five foot-itis.” It was my new dream to own a
British Virgin Islands, the Florida Keys and the Bahamas thanks
surveyor possible, completing a thorough survey and sea
Pearson 35. I searched and searched, but to no avail.
to ASA certifications and great experience.
trial and then understanding what issues the vessel may
Then, one day while walking the docks of Mobile in have that need to be addressed. Only once this final
search of my dream, I noted a somewhat under kept
and back, an experience I will not soon forget.
negotiation is over should the vessel be considered
Pearson 30 for sale. That day the love affair began. I purchased and the celebration started.
made the deal and sailed her home with the help of a
Being an ASA certified sailor allowed me to expand my
long-time friend, who loves to sail.
horizons and experiences. For example, I was invited to
captain a charter in the British Virgin Islands for a group of
It truly is a long step from the life as a high school
friends and acquaintances. On yet another occasion, a
principal in southern Mississippi to that of a full-time
friend and I set out on a four-month sail across the Gulf of
sailing fanatic, but the transition was by now a natural
Mexico to the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. Also, the side
and fulfilling one. Even my two sons didn’t think I was
trip to ASA’s Antigua Member Week must not be overlooked
crazy. I found encouragement at every turn. After a brief
as one of my most pleasant experiences. The credit for
year of sailing her, I made the decision to “race the ole
such a positive experience goes to the good folks at ASA
Jolee.” And, race we did. We entered every local PHRF
whose planning, competence, and concern for those who
race we could. With the help of my sail-maker, who
participated can only be applauded. Sundry other shorter
guided me through the minefield of strategy and sail
trips have also been in the offing with delightful times had
trim, we managed to win or place with regularity. It was
by all including my most recent sailing experience - that of
one of the most rewarding experiences of my life to find
sailing around Marina Del Rey, if only briefly, with Dave
something so utterly challenging as well as rewarding.
Lumian, one of ASA’s instructors and a consummate
gentleman whom I met at Member Week.
Having gotten a full measure of confidence from my day-
sailing and racing experience I made the decision to
I have met more interesting and genuine people since
become a more accomplished, “certified” sailor. With
learning to sail than can be described in such a short
encouragement from a friend who had taken his ASA
article. Suffice it to say that my sailing experiences, its
certifications at Chapman’s in Florida, I contacted them.
friendships and associations, have enriched my life
It was my intention to become a fully documented and
beyond simple words and descriptions. Also, the
accomplished sailor. This began yet another phase in my
friendships and associations I have made as a member of
sailing experience. Two weeks of concentrated classroom
this unique group, namely sailors, in whatever form, and
and on the water experience allowed me to get all of the
members of ASA in particular, have only served to add to
available sailing certifications ASA offers with the
the pleasant and rewarding experiences I have enjoyed as
exception of celestial navigation and an instructor’s
a sailor. Fair winds and calm seas to each of you!
status. The final test pitted us against some really foul
weather and the Gulf Stream on a sail to the Bahamas
J. I. ”Mike” Finley
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