Moving up to M15 Zephyr & a toast to Bert Felton

Posted By: M12 Gumby
Date: 12/23/11 6:33p.m.

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My user name here is M12 Gumby, but I have moved up to an M15. In the future, I may change my user name to reflect the change. I was lucky two weeks ago to buy Bert Felton's beautiful 1986 M15 Zephyr. He listed it here and on Craig's List. He let me have first view. He was kind enough to consider that I was having septoplasty a few days after I called him AND that I couldn't travel for a week after the surgery AND that I live a three day drive from him. Meanwhile, I had the boat surveyed. The surveyor rated Zephyr in Bristol condition. Bert treated Zephyr as his "forever" boat during the time he owned it and spent a lot of money and a lot of his own labor to put it in its current condition. New trailer, new Honda 2 horsepower, new sails and other gear, plus labor on the keel, rudder and trim. I'll never know everything he did for this beautiful boat. It is in great condition and was ready to sail when I drove off with it. Bert did everything he could to make sure the boat was ready to sail, but of more immediate importance to me, he made sure it was ready to tow. He even made sure the spare trailer tire was properly inflated. I didn't have some of the tools he thought I should have in my tow vehicle, so he loaned me his tools for the trip home. I am grateful, thankful, to have had the pleasure to dealing with a seller as honest, helpful, generous, and considerate as Bert. A toast to Bert Felton! Steve Elliott PS I think Bert is now hanging out on the catboat forum.