How I Acquired Providence

I have only had Providence for about two months now. Previously I owned a Heron sailing dinghy which I had bought in a delapidated state for $100. I'd spent about a year fixing it up, but even before I had finished it I knew that it was going to be too small for me and my family - even for day sailing. What I really wanted was something like a Hartley TS16.

So, after a few attempts to fit the family in to the Heron, I reluctantly listed it for sale. The president of the Heron association assured me that there was a huge demand for Herons, so I expected the boat to sell quickly. I was going to take the proceeds and start saving the difference towards the price of a Hartley, but after 3 months I still had not had a single serious enquiry.

Then, out of the blue I got a call from a chap who was interested in the Heron. He was looking to downsize from his current boat. "Oh," I said, "what boat have you got now?". A Hartley TS16, and yes, he was going to sell it, and yes we could look at doing a swap. He said he'd be happy to bring it around that very evening for me to have a look at. I prepared my wife by telling her that this was exactly the sort of boat I wanted and we might have to find some extra cash from somewhere to be able to pay the difference - but when the guy arrived he was happy to do a straight swap - Hartley for Heron.

I didn't take much convincing - we signed the paperwork to transfer his trailer to me (mine was unlicenced so we didn't have to do that). Then he drove away with the Heron and left me with the Hartley.

And because of this lucky way I acquired the boat I have decided to rename her 'Providence'