SEE Similar design in FIBERGLASS or Wood Epoxy

May 18, 2003
Bruce, I really should have dropped you a line years ago about this but, I am sorry, I just didn't think of it until now. In 1974 I met you at a boat show in Houston, Texas where I purchased a set of boat plans for your Offshore 44 design.  In 1983, after many years of hard work and saving every penny, I launched the boat.  In March of 1986, having outfitted the boat and sailed around in Galveston Bay for a few years, I left to go cruising.  During the next almost 5 years I sailed to central America, across the Pacific, along Southeast Asia, up the Red Sea and through the Suez Canal, through the Mediterranean Sea and across the Atlantic back to the USA.  The circumnavigation was done mostly as a single-hander except for my Dachshund, Hilda. 

The boat performed splendidly; very forgiving to someone who, until I left Galveston, had never sailed on the ocean.  I rigged it as a cutter which tracked well and which I could balance under all but the worst conditions.  I rarely had to steer, relying on a Monitor wind vane rig for this.  I rarely saw another boat I envied over the one I had.  The only thing I would have changed was to have a slightly taller rig.  That trip was and remains the greatest adventure of my life. 

I am back to the regular life of a 9-5 job living in Atlanta, Georgia. USA.  I have written part of a book from my experiences which I should finish someday but even if I don't I have a rich set of memories.  Like, I think, most people, if you ask me what I was doing this time 2 years ago I might be hard pressed to tell you.  Conversely, I can recall any part of my yacht journey to the month or week.  I am grateful that I had the luck to pull it off and see the world and meet its people as a traveler rather than as a tourist.  Thanks for designing a fine boat.

Phil Gerry

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