— BETTER LATE THAN NEVER Spanish Dancer, C&C 35 — There's an old maxim that warns, "The only ship that doesn't sail is a partnership." But here are some guys who've proven otherwise. "We've had eight different people in this partnership over 20 years," said co-owner Jim Ellis. "Some of them have left and come back in again." Jim and his current partners, Robert Hammond, Tom Marinshaw and Dan Chase (not present), have what amounts to a handshake agreement. "We've never had a written agreement," he said. Not something we'd recommend, but it's clearly worked for this group of sailors. "What's more is that we still like to sail together!" The sailing schedule they've worked out is simple and very flexible — each owner gets the boat every fourth week. If someone else wants the boat that week, they usually figure it out. When it comes to boat work, they split it as evenly as possible. Each owner sends their monthly 'dues' to Tom, who's been charged with keeping the checkbook. "Maybe I'm the stupidest one," he mumbled. In fact, according to the boys, the hardest part of having multiple partners over the years has been dealing with the DMV. Spanish Dancer was hauled for a quick bottom job and fresh boot stripe, and was getting ready to splash a couple days after we met. After that, the guys will continue what they like doing best: daysailing. "We used to race," said Robert, "but now the human race is where we're at."
the backstay. "We got tied up and we pulled the chainplate right out of the deck!" It was another four years before Rich started a 14-month rebuild, refastening the entire boat, replacing planks and floor timbers, building a new rudder, painting. "My wife said, 'You told me you weren't going to buy a project boat,'" Rich laughed. "The thing is, I didn't know I did." For this comparatively mellow month-long haulout, Rich had some bad blocking and frames replaced, had a fresh bottom put on, and touched up the paint. "This is my fourth or fifth paint job, and I think I finally figured it out," he laughed. Even with all the work and 'green infusion' Rich has poured into Freelance, he estimates she's only about 75% complete. The interior was wellgutted and in the middle of a major renovation, with the cabin sole being next on the list. As for Freelance's future, Rich says he's just going to keep working on her and sailing her around the Bay, often singlehanded. "I don't want to hurt her feelings," he said, "but I don't think going bluewater is a very good idea." In owning such a beautiful, high-maintenance boat, he may feel as if he's stepped into quicksand but at least he's not hiding his head in it. June, 2012 •
Latitude 38
• Page 93