What are your other hobbies and interests?

I think it is interesting to know the other hobbies and interests and sports of sailors, other than sailing. I don't care what you do for a living, but I do like to know what the other things are that sailors do for fun -- like tennis, bicycling, motocross, surfing, kayaking, landsailing, skiing, rock-climbing, ice-fishing, etc., etc.
Or maybe it is bowling or golf.

I know that some of the biggies on our seminar applications were "Woodworking" and "Restoring antique cars." Other favorites were reading and gardening.

Tell us what your favorite pastimes are. Up at our Ohio home, the favorite winter pastime is ice fishing (which is why we are in Florida). <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Besides sailing?....Sewing/quilting, hiking, handyman jobs, dabbling in woodworking and turning, and traveling. Just a few of the many. There is not enough time to do it all. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I do some hunting and fishing, lots of camping. There are few things that I do not like doing.

Well, sailing pretty much is it.

But RC Air Planes keep me interested when its too cold to sail.

I also have Tropical fish that can boarder on being work.
But they are a nice hobby for around the house.

On-line gaming and racquetball. I loved owning an RV - long-time camper/hiker, and dinking around with RV maintenance was kinda fun. Dabbled in bonsai. Owned an MGB for a while - great project. Used to be really into mountain biking, too, when I lived in Pennsylvania. My four-year-old takes up most hobby time, but she's also far more rewarding than any of my other "projects." <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

As I start this list, try to remember that I'm 65 but 30 at hart. Golf,Flying,land sailing,old cars and tractor restorations,sailing,wood work,travel, all hold my interest.

money, however,tempers my time spent @ the above... lol

Gardening. I'm currently reworking a goldfish pond and butterfly garden, as well as a pergola and some trellises. January and February, in SW Florida, are perfect for this type of work.

Also catching up on some much needed maintenance on the Blade.

Hobbies;
I used to hang out at the drag strip and restore Camaros, Firebird, Nova etc. These days just maintaining my drivers and kids cars is enough of a challenge. Have found restoring H14's and H16's satisfies the completed project urge.

Our Border Collie/Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, "Esther" takes a lot of attention. Thinking about trying Fly Ball with her, she's a rocket! http://flyballdogs.com/photos/rocky-m.jpg

Control line kites are a blast. I have two, one small and one very small, extremely responsive with a short learning curve. Any sailor living in a windy area I'm sure would enjoy flying these.

Interests; I just watched a snow boarding competition (similar to roller derby), followed by moto-cross race and just saw a power boat commercial for pulling wake boarders. I'm interested in how to make cats a recognizable household name...again <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

1943...Nice Work!!!

Drag racing. Building fast mustangs.

www.fordmuscle.com

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2001/01/92LX/index.shtml

Skiing, but no where near enough; Turned down a job as a Ski-guide to go back to Uni.

Riding my bike when I have time

Running a couple of internet forums

And driving my Subaru Impreza WR1 <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Playing with Geomag, It's the kids really <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Playing with Lego, It's the kids really <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

modding my pickup. I hope to be putting a twin turbo setup on the Cummins this spring. Should get me up around 450hp/1000ft lbs. tq

Killing un regulated animals. Coyote, rabbit, raccoons, squirrels, possum, striped/pocket gophers. I really need to go prairie dog hunting too.

Golf, mostly for the drinking.

I used to love playing paintball but haven't done it in two years

Target shooting. Favorite is the M1 Garand

PS3 eats up most of my winter as there is little else to do.

I've been kicking around building an iceboat but I have no where to store it, and the ice is rarely good enough for it. Being that I do woodworking for employment doing it for fun just doesn't have its appeal.

I've recently discovered ice fishing, but have yet to drop a line in the water. Mostly to get out of the house.

I used to snowboard, race motorcross on quads, rode dirtbikes but never raced, and did track days on a GSX-R 750 but never raced that either. Got rid of all the bikes, got sick of bleeding all the time and walking with a limp.



My favorite bike was a scooter. There is a ton of mod parts for the Zuma. Mine did 63mph and would wheelie like crazy. A bunch of us would trailer them up to Minneapolis where the Police had better things to attend to than kids trying to hurt themselves. It was amazing how much fun you could have with 7hp.

Karl,

I hear the Prairie Dog "hunting" is nothing more than target practice and not worth the trip.

Come down to one of Bobby's regattas in Little Rock sometime. He's got all the paint ball gear and a lighted "war zone" behind the Arriba Stick shop.

Had to LOL at your biking photos. Keep your damn feet BEHIND the handlebars if you don't like the scrapes!!! I rode the road racing predecessors to your generations bikes (after growing on hill climbers). You may have noticed my permanent limp thanks to a '65 Bel-air running a red light. I'm glad you got rid of them, there's a reason at the hospital they're referred to as donorcycyles.

Yeah, but if you hit em' right the prairie dogs explode. Paper don't do that.

Digital photography & print making.
Working on cars.
Hiking & biking.
Reading Catsailor.com <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

good to know im not the only grease monkey in here.

I love to build and tune high HP tuner cars. I got myself a 500+awhp Mistubishi 3000GT VR4 which is a money pit.

Wow, where to begin?

In no certain order.....
bicycling, canoe/kayaking, astronomy, tennis, golf, fishing, geocaching, backpacking, camping, fossil hunting, metal detecting, etc, etc. I am sure I forgot something. My wife thinks I have too many hobbies. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sailing takes precedence, but fishing/boating, restoring boats, hunting, and restoring my '79 Jeep are on the list.

big fisherman, love trolling off the Tiger. Also love surfing and kayak surfing whenever I can make it anywhere with waves. I really want to learn to kite surf. Unfortunately school tends to ruin most of my fun time. Just told one of my professors I need to reschedule a quiz if possible because I'd be baring the elements at Spring Fever..he was not amused. School = overrated

Drinking and laying around on the couch.

Little wood working (see pic). Lake house to store the cats. MARDI GRAS (yeah, I'm in South Louisiana). Skeet shooting cause you don't have to clean what you shoot, and just found I like scuba diving. Of course the things I like to do but can't qualify as hobbies are too numerous to list.



Clayton

Hey Clayton

That's the camp house, right? You way uppin' the standards there at Lake A...

Nice work! That place looks great!

Not so sure about the uppin' part but its 'bout done and time to sail more! Did ya notice the 5.2 parked on the side?

Clayton

ummmm, besides sailing??.... ummmmm, hmmmmm. Oh I like to... oh wait... that’s still sailing.... I, ummmm, hmmmm, um.... Does work on my boat count? I guess not.

Luckily for me I am in Florida and can sail just about year round (yes sometimes in ski gear, but its still sailing).

Is a girlfriend a hobby? Hmmmmm. Guess not.

Well I guess I don’t have any other hobbies... I guess i am a bit of a couch surfer, but i work for 3 companies and seem to be spent at the end of the day. I live for the weekends and sailing.

OH WAIT.... I do play a lot of guitar... I have many guitars and keyboards. But that’s not really a hobby to me. That is simply a part of me. If I didn’t play, that would be like not eating that day... I just need to do it to relax and be complete. I used to play in bands but that is just a lot of work and requires good inter-personal skills that I don’t seem to have. (just ask my girlfriend) hehe

Here's my other toy, an unrestored 1957 MGA. I'm not much of a grease monkey; so I just drive it till it breaks, then I figure out how to fix it. I take it to a shop for the important stuff: brakes, transmission. http://www.catsailor.com/bb_files/132228-PICT0350.JPG

Omigosh! The MGA was my first car -- except mine was a 1962, which I think was the last year it was made. I LOVED that car! Now I wish I still had it.

It would be a great Florida car. I get a lot of offers on it: from notes stuck on the windshield or on the seat, or other drivers in traffic. I drive it to work most of the summer. But it's not for sale. My Dad bought it in 1973 and turned it over to me six years ago. What makes it unique is that it's still running after 51 years without a complete restoration.

This is what we have now -- see attachment.

Way cool! I bet you get LOTS of looks in traffic, especially with that co-pilot!

Here's our 1980 MGB LE - wish we'd been able to keep it. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I used to have an organge 1978 MGB. I am 6'2" so my head sat above the windshield. The top had deteriorated long ago anyways. I used to drive around with a white scarf and a leather pilots hat with goggles "think byplanes". I will see if I can dig up a picture and post it. I miss that car, it was a real piece of crap but I loved driving it and loved the attention it got. I replaced it with a 68 Mustang with a 351 Cleveland engine. Now many cars later a drive an F150 and put my money into sailing. When not sailing I am doing family time with my wife and 2 year old.

Hey, I had one of those, too, but it was a 1965 model. Wish I could have kept that, too. But I didn't love it as much as my MGA. Maybe your first car is like your first love -- nothing else is really quite the same. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Does your husband know how you feel about first loves <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Sure! And his first and major love, even now, is a dirt bike. Every day he talks about getting back into motocross. At age 71! Now that's LOVE!

Nice MGA. Here is my unrestored British car... Too bad there isn't more time to play with all the hobbies.

Dean

AWESOME!!!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Beautiful Austin-Healey My boyfriend had one of those when I was a teenager. We were just talking about that car the other day on the phone (50+ years hence)and he said he sold it back then so he could get a bigger car with a back seat. I wonder why. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

So true! I can't wait for warm days again.

It looks like you do some auto racing too. It looks great! There's a major league Healey collector in an office building behind mine. He always brings some fine art to the car shows.

Mary - Thank you for the compliment on the Healey. We drive the pants off it.

We have another British toy under construction. Bought it so my 10 year old son and I could work on together. We are almost done with the engine/chassis. I am dreading the glass/paint/body work. But at least with this one, it is built just like the Nacra.
Enjoy - Dean

Here is a photo from the back with my on board navigator looking through the window... Hopefully he will love to sail and crew!

Sweet...a friend had a JPS Europa (Black/Gold) damn thing would only run a few months a year in our weather <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

1st car/1st love? Not in my case...1970 Chevy Biscayne 4-door blahh...my dad knew what was the right 1st car, I totaled it.

I had a 76' Datsun 280Z. I sold it and have alway regretted it. That car was just fun to drive. Like riding around in a shoe. Could have been a 78' come to think of it.

That pix that Mary posted is of our 1908 Model T Speedster right after I got it. Since then I have added beautiful brass side Oil Lamps and two smaller ones on the back and have polished all the other brass so she really shines.

Every Sunday at Put-in-Bay we have an Antique Car Parade and I drive the Speedster and Mary drives the replica of a 1929 Mercedes Gazelle. Usually have about 60-80 cars in the parade (we of course have a preparade party and an apres parade party) Also have a 29 Model A 4-door in the shop.

Some of the cars there are worth a couple hundred thousand dollars. During the parade there is History on Wheels going by and people point at Cody, our Golden and Shout, "Oh, Look at the dog!"
Amazing

Gosh, this is like a trip down memory lane. I had a Datsun 240Z (I think that is the number). Great car except on slippery pavement, snow, ice -- very light in the back end.

That was it's appeal to me. I was about 17 when I had that car.

Should've titled this thread: "Old Cars & Fond Memories"

Before I came to catsailing ca. five years ago, Canoesport has been my favourite interest, and is still especially when it's too cold for sailing in winter. Started as child with parents in the kayak, did some whitewater and canoeslalom racing for many years and still love to be on the water. Camping and living in the nature is part of that.

Usually, the biggest other sport of sailors is skiing, and I haven't seen anybody chiming in on that yet. Maybe all the skiers were skiing all weekend, or week, or month, or winter. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Wish I could have been. Maybe they will be back when the snow melts and the water warms. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I refer you to my answer above.

Going to the Meribel for a week of madness before easter. Me, the family and a mate. If the conditions are right I hope to have a guide for a few days and go really mad.

They also have a GPS tracketr up and running. Interesting to find out how far one ski's in a day.

Also, love some of the Cars above <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

My current toy is this:




Would also like a Lotus Exige for a weekend toy aat some point.

Nice pic Scooby! Your daughter is a perfect ringer for my youngest! I've got 3 red heads in my brood. I guess its hard to to keep Irish down! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Clayton

My other hobby is 2 kids....There is also drinnking and women...and guitars....but mostly kids--who have sailboats


Karl, wouldnt a 1976 be a 240 or a 260Z ? I think the 280 was (maybe) an 80's car.

Thanks,

Both are showing potential as Downhill Skiers. Son is 7 in April and going great guns in Ski club every Saturday. Daugher is 5 in April, and going well too. Both are the youngest in their classes which I hope is good for them.

Here is my daughter standing next to my early Z type car.....a 68 Datsun 1600 to be exact.

My first car was a '58 Buick Special my grandfather gave me. Loved that big boat. Power steering would've been real nice! All my friends were getting MGs and Triumphs, and I found a Datsun 1600 to be in the roadster crowd. Didn't look much like that beauty! Still loved driving it! I still drive part of a daily route I used to take in that car. I always remember throwing it into a 4 wheel drift on one particular turn. What a lot of fun!

240Z started in 71'?
260Z was only around a couple of years. It was a pooch compared to the 240
280Z then there was the 280ZX. Some were 2+2, but it was real painful in back. Mine might have been a 78'

My dad had one of the old 240Z's.

So Wallybear...how old is the daughter? Kidding I already have a girlfriend but I must admit you are brave posting her picture on here.

She has an ex-marine boyfriend, so I don't worry too much about her and it was the only pic I have of the car on my computer. Actually, she is driving the car now.....when it runs. I've had such a hard time figuring out how to adjust the damn carbs. I have a friend that will school me on the art of synchronizing the twin SU carbs within the next week or so. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Walter

Wally,
I had a MGB for years and the two best things I did were junk the stock wiring and go to a DGV Weber carb. I synched those damn SU's about once a week. And then I changed the cam, put on a header and twin 45 DCOE sidedraft Webers and it was a whole new animal.

Mary, well skiing and sailing in the Northwest is still tops. When it gets too cold for sailing, we head for the slopes.

But the tops was in the 1980's when we had the winter "Nut Freezer" monthly cat races. The best was the Sea and Ski event. Saturday, racing on a nearby lake. Sunday, at the Pass running downhill on the NASTAR course. Combined score determined the winner.

Caleb

I'm with you there, Mary. You gotta ski. In fact, I'm taking my 7 year old son to Taos, New Mexico for 8 days this Saturday. Best snow in years, I'm told. Steep and deep, Taos is a tough hill. I hope I can keep up with my boy.

I have considered that option, but just do not want to spend the 1500 to 2000 bucks it would take to make that happen. I spent 600 to have the carbs rebuilt by Z-Therapy and it ran great for a while, but slowly began getting worse. I am almost 100% positive it is a carb adjustment issue.

Adapter $20
http://www.wpsracing.com/cpprcaad.html

Carb on eBay $150.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Weber-32-...sspagenameZWDVW

I second the emotion - hated those SU carbs. Weber's are from heaven. New headers and carbs, and my MG was so throaty it set off car alarms when I started it...

Ahhh, Jeez. I thought I was over her... sniff

I hear you, John. I was planning on a Ford 302 w/ AFR heads, and T5 swap. And it was the '74 Teal Blue w/ chrome bumpers. sigh.

David, know how you feel. I could no longer keep up with Tom when he turned 14. Now, with grandson Dan, 12, a Board Head and Skier, He has to ski with his Dad, who so far can keep up with Dan.
Caleb

Thnanks Faster, may have to check into that a little deeper. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'm surprised your Datsun has SU's. Those are British I think. The joke goes that Smith Union also makes refrigerators and that's why the Brit's drink warm beer. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I've heard the Brits don't make toasters because they couldn't figure out how to make them drip oil!

My garage floor is covered in a layer of cat litter to soak up the drippins' fom the MG.

I had a '57 MGA. The problem that all of you are having with British cars, MGs in particular, is because you only have 3 joints in each of your fingers. British mechanics have 8. It makes reaching and turning those impossible bolts a simple matter. And as to oil leaks, you only have to worry when they STOP leaking, right?

Way off topic but since we have some MG experts here; A used car lot up the road from me has a 1973(?) MGB convertable for sale, $4995. It has the real knock off spoke wheels, (not sure if it's a 73 or maybe earlier with those wheels?).

I have not yet heard it run only took a quick walk a round last Sunday. Is that a fair price for one of those and will I go insane trying to keep it running? I've heard the horror stories...

What are the "Most Important" questions (issues) I should ask the seller before I make any offers? Or should I just buy new sails and be done with it?

And isn't it Peter Lucas who is the Prince of Darkness?

Thanks.

I "think" the wires were produced thru '74, as well the US models had chrome bumpers until '75. Google MGB.

I went through this with a '74 Tr 6. There is a reason those cars aren't made anymore.

Pete, I bet she was fun to drive! I'm a little concerned about my current vehicle. It's my favorite car yet, '03 Honda Civic Si. It was made in England! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

There is something very satisfying about driving old British two seaters.

Hey Caleb,
After 10 years in Vail and all that great powder, my old ski buddy asked me to come to Washington to ski. I thought he was nuts.., but went anyway.
He was city manager of Spokane, and the first place he took me was Mt Spokane. It was amazingly great skiing. And way, way cheaper than Vail.
Then every day we would hit a different place, usually no more than a 2-hour drive -- Canadian Rockies, Idaho, etc.
I was really impressed.
Washington seems to have a lot of everything.
Rick

They are Japanese SUs made by Hitachi I believe. Of course the guys over on the Datsun roadster forum think they are miles better than the British Sus. Presumably, when the Hitachis are set properly, they will stay set for quite a while. It has not been my experience though and they are newly rebuilt by one of the best companies in the business. When they are in tune, it runs sweet and never misses a beat.

I do anything that makes me feel alive (the same reason I sail). It has to be outdoors, and normally some risk involved...such as climbing, or skiing off piste.

Wow, I am amazed at how many fellow catsailors seem to be into vintage vehicles. Attached is a pic of mine, a 1969 Jeepster. Is it any surprise that most of these vehicles seem to be convertibles?

Also into skiing with the kids, aged 5, 8 and 11.

Usual version of the joke -

Q: "Why do Brits drink warm beer?"
A: "Because Lucas (Prince of Darkness, supplier of Brit electrical bits) also makes refrigerators!"

Remember,
You sure as hell don't need a British sports car, but it sure as hell needs you. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Or jumping over a fire.... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

This was a recent post on the Datsun roadster forum:

"Oddly enough my story is most resent. Since I'm not as old as some of you;-) Just kidding. I was at a very small town parade about 5 years ago and it had convertible cars with local famous folks riding on the trunk lids. An old MGB stop right where we were watching the parade and stopped running. A few moments went by when the driver of a Datsun Roadster further back in the parade pulled up and got a tow rope out of his trunk, hooked it up to the MG and pulled the car the rest of the parade. Too funny. I had to have one from then on." [color:"red"] [/color]

Now I am not implying Japanese cars are better than British cars, but everybody has an opinion. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I guess it could be argued the Datsun owner was carrying a towstrap for a particular reason! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Well, cars seems to be a common interest. My first was a 16 year old Buick, same age as me,at the time. My Father was a Buick dealer, so it seemed like a good idea. Also, trained by his mechanics and body shop men to work on and repair all systems. About 12 more Buick's followed over the years.

Also had a 1965 Mustang Convertible, V8, used to pull my 20ft Fiberform I/O cruiser. Never should have sold it.

Went to Honda Accords several years back, plus a Mercury Mountaineer to pull the boats. As a West Virginia University Grad, it was a natural choice. The last additon two years ago was a 1992 Corvette, six speed, found it on the Internet for a good price. Dan loves it, and hopes drive it some day.

Caleb

Music. I play the guitar, mando, fiddle and keyboards. I also have a little recording studio that I make CD's with friends.

Here is my '58 100-6 Healey, "Baby".
Uuhhh...I don't quite look like that anymore.
But all the mechanical skills that I HAD TO LEARN RIGHT NOW to keep her running are still useful. Except for the parts where the Austin-Healey manual said "Every 3 months remove the doors from their hinges and grease them". Sadly, Baby died a slow inevitable death from rust in Hawaii, and I will miss her forever.

During Winter I go mostly backcountry skiing.
During the warmer period, I go also for mountain biking and climbing, when I don't sail.

Here, me and my friends skiing in the swiss alps.

... and you sure get thirsty


Climbing in spain - El Chorro (last january 2008)


Have fun

after sailing socialism is the only thing when i am the worlds benevalent dictator everyone will have 1/2 a hobie 16 and more than a doller a day to live on

considering I now actually own a cat I thought I'd add my 2c...
I'm into photography mainly, but I also like to mess around with computers and the internet (when I have the time).
I also fix my own car (boat, or anything for that matter), not because its my hobby, more because it saves me a lot of money.