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In 1985, I finished a 28 foot boat from a hull and deck built by Liberty Yachts (out of business now like most small boat craftsmen). I named her Rosebud partly after the sled (email me if you don't get the reference to the sled). Carolina Cruising magazine (also out of business) wrote an article, Building It Your Way (click the link below), about the builder, Ron Mercer, which featured Rosebud just after her completion.

Re-reading the article always reminds me what a magical time that was. Of course, over the years I have forgotten all the hard work and sweat in a hot Carolina boat shop.

I worked with Ron and a local designer, Wayne Canning, to develop the full keel and cruising cabin version from the 28' centerboarder design that he was building. After the hull and deck were complete I took six months off from my engineering career and built the interior mostly by myself, including glassing in the tanks and bulkheads. Ron and Raeford installed the engine and rigging.

I learned a lot from Ron and made use of all the tips and tricks I learned from boatbuilding books I had absorbed. I think Ron learned a few things from me too. I loved working with the wood and took pains with everything to get it just right.

I also met some of my best friends there who were refitting a Westsail 32, Zoltan and Becki Kollat. Ron had been the quality manager for Westsail's east coast plant and they were making use of his expertise.

I enjoyed cruising in Rosebud for three years on the Southeast coast and in the Keys and Bahamas. Eventually I ran out of money and went back to my career as an engineer. The urge for a large liveaboard took hold and I sold Rosebud. But she will never leave my heart and memory.

Life is what happens while we are making plans. My dream of building a larger boat never got off the ground. Since then I've been owner (myself and with my wife) of several boats. Each one invested with a lot of work and dreams: Rosita, a 36 foot Allied Princess ketch built in 1976; Once Again, a 47 foot Wellington ketch; Mango Mama, a 36 foot Kadey Krogen trawler.

So, here's a toast to Rosebud, Rosita, Once Again and Mango Mama... and to all the boats on the sea and the sailors who love them. May you always have a fresh breeze and a smooth sea. And a stout boat to see you through the rough times.