Further searching on Google turned-up an interesting J/24 on Sailnet over the Thanksgiving holiday. I was patient but persistent looking for boats all across the country.
This J/24 was described as a 1984 #3801 with 2 mains, 2 genoas, 3 spinnakers, 1 jib, curved tiller, Triad trailer, faired keel, Baltoplate racing bottom paint, measurement certificate, with no engine, and a local race winner located in Noank, CT. This sounded more interesting than the other 44 inquired I had made thus far.
This was a relatively newer boat compared to
Take Five. Plus most of the other J/24 owners didn't mention having a measurement certificate along with a faired racing bottom.
It was evident that she was in need of some major TLC on the deck judging by a few of the photos that the owners sent me. I could see the characteristic dark-stained balsa core from being wet.
My wife, Liz, agreed to go look at
Maybe and I quickly started planning the trip to Connecticut. We decided to turn it into a vacation of sorts. It was already sub-zero in Minnesota. Winter had set in unusually early and we were both longing for more fall days.
Liz and I have stayed at bed and breakfasts on our past trips and loved meeting new people and getting local advice on sights to see in the areas we visit.
A handful of bed and breakfasts were in the Mystic, CT area. There was one offering an off-season special for a more lengthy stay.
Roseledge Herb Farm sounded like the perfect place.
Within a short two week period, plans were set and Liz and I made preparations to head east in early December. The 15 day forecast for Mystic, CT looked relatively warm compared to Excelsior, MN.
