Okay, Now You Can Help

I've never done this before, and don't anticipate doing it again, but I've enabled a "tip jar" for anyone who wants to help contribute to a new mast.  I feel sort of sheepish about it.  There are many other good causes in the world.  And I am happy if you read forever and never donate.   

But a new mast -- even a new used mast -- is expensive.  They're hard to find.  There's one in California, circa 2001, for $1500, although getting it here would be another thing altogether.  I've heard tell of one in Massachusetts for about $2000.  For someone who frets about filling her car up with gas each week, that's prohibitive.   Someday, my ship will come in and I'll feel a sense of abundance again.  But right now, I'm pretty poor. 

The boat is insured and I've made a claim, but I'm not optimistic about what I can get from the insurance company.  We'll see.  The mast was more than 30 years old, I'm sure.

I was talking to the HOT girls about the idea of having a party where we charge $5 a head, or pass around a tip jar, to raise some funds.  We will sail again.  We're talking to people in the fleet about borrowing a mast, or a boat.  We will sail again.      

I'm trying to think of a good carrot to dangle to encourage you to donate.  I could send you something, but what?  A picture of something?  You could request a post -- like a premium "All Request" service?  We could do another Blog Party, but this one for people who tip?  Other thoughts?  Let me know what would be a fun inducement, and I'll do it.  The link should be right there in the sidebar, or you can click here to donate. 

Comments

[Vespertine]

Good luck with the mast replacement-- what a nightmare!! I hope everything works out.

[Carol Anne]

It took a couple of months, but Zorro's insurance company did finally come through with a check to pay for a new mast. The most frustrating part of the process for him was that he made appointment after appointment with the insurance adjuster, and the adjuster kept failing to show up. I think he may have finally talked the insurance company into taking his word that the mast was a total loss, rather than waiting for the adjuster's say-so -- after all, Zorro had all the pictures I took the day it broke. Plus he does rather have the gift of gab and can charm people into seeing things his way.

Keep leaning on the insurance company. Of course, it's probably easier for a boat-insurance adjuster to get to Maine than to El Paso -- you probably have one fairly near by.

And in the meantime, if you are desperate to sail on an Etchells, you're welcome to come out West and sail with me any time, and Zorro probably wouldn't mind having you on his boat, either.

[Trevor]

But of course... don't think it's sheepish.

You're wonderful! Brilliant.

[bas]

What a great idea - I'm happy to help you out - even if your insurance company does come through, take yourself out for coffee on me or put it in the fund for the garbage disposal.