Growing up Seafari
 

Hello All,

Some of you may know the history of our 25 as I have mentioned it a few times before. For those who don't, and to be brief, my Grandfather made eye contact with her, across a crowded 1976 Toronto boat show room, and immediately fell in love. Now I don`t know the exact details, whether he did his research before or during the boat show, but I do know he was a brilliant man and I`m willing to bet he spent hours reading about SeaCraft boats and possibly about Mr. Moesly, long before. He knew all about the racing and that the coast guard was using SeaCrafts as I remember him telling stories when I was growing up Seafari. These are some of the reasons I think his intentions, in 1976, were to leave that boat show with a SeaCraft.

My Grandfather passed away last week, after a long battle with Alzheimers. It was only after his passing, while looking through some of his pictures, that I finally see, what he had seen, in 1976. I would like to share it with all of you.

[image]http://i446.photobucket.com/albums/q...b/IMG_0552.jpg[/image]

These are pictures of pictures until I get them scanned but I tried to fix them up as best I could.

This one could be the maiden voyage.

[image]http://i446.photobucket.com/albums/q...b/IMG_0557.jpg[/image]

Here are a couple of Gramp in his glory. He used to charter and pleasure fish the heck out of her in the late 70s.

[image]http://i446.photobucket.com/albums/q...b/IMG_0554.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i446.photobucket.com/albums/q...b/IMG_0556.jpg[/image]


Keith Leonard 1922-2011


Growing up Seafari was a great experience for me. My Grandfather, passed on to me, at a very young age, the love for SeaCrafts and in particular, our 25 Seafari. This is not a sympathy thread. It is to celebrate the great life that he had and to convey that his Seafari 25, played a huge part in the enjoyment he got out of life. He would never part with his 25 Seafari.

From the time I was about 6 or 8, I had memorized, the plaque displayed on the cabin bulkhead, in front of the port captain chair, of which is still displayed today, my Grandfathers motto. It reads...

Inasmuch as three quarters of the earths surface is water, and only one fourth is land. The good lords intentions are very clear. A mans time should be divided, three fourths for boating, and one fourth for work.

I will do my best to live by those words of wisdom.

Thanks for reading
Brandon

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

Very, very nice!!! It's a tough time for you, I know, I buried my dad a year ago today, however we did not have any cool SeaCraft stories like yours. Take care.

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

Thank you Don,

Im sorry for your loss as well.

Brandon

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

Brandon,
Thanks for allowing us to join in celebrating your Grandfather's life. And for sharing his motto... You are clearly a lucky man to have learned from him.

Great pics and hope to see more... Godspeed, Mr. Leonard.

Hold those memories dear, Brandon - I'm sure you do...

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

Great Post Brandon
Truly the SeaCraft tradition is being carried on in your family!

Thank you Mr Leonard http://forums.floridasportsman.com/s...iley/angel.gif

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

Brandon, Just a curiosity - are the pictured down riggers still on the boat?
:cool:

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

Brandon, Sorry for the passing of your Grandfather.
Cheerish the memories and carry on his love of the
Seacrafts that we all share together!!

God Bless, Ken

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

Brandon - nice post and tribute to your Grandfather, but sorry to hear about the Alzheimers - that's a cruel disease. However it sounds like he definitely had his priorities straight and left you with many great memories! Thanks for sharing the pictures and especially his motto! Denny

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

thank you for your post i'm sure it touches all our hearts you are a lucky man to have spent so much time with him and a great boat the best part will be this year when you "hear" try over here and there are fish there!!!
can't wait to relive the past with you and your family through you new pictures

tight lines and gods speed

matt

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

Brandon,
Thanks for sharing your grandfather's story. It's obvious from the way you've spoken of him that there was a real connection between you. I know you miss him. I hope it brings fond memories as you go through his old pictures.
Dave

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

Some say that a boat is "a hole in the water....." and pass it off as little more than an expense. Your Grandfather was wise beyond his years because he realized, either consciously or unconsciously, that that hole can be filled with memories and lessons that are difficult to create in other circumstances.

Your honoring of your Grandfather is a testament to his wisdom in knowing and accomplishing the filling of that hole with those experiences that are more valuable than any expense they may have cost. Thanks for sharing, it is yet another lesson for all of us as we look to follow your Grandfather's example.

We all wish you and your family the strength to get through this most difficult time. God bless.

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

Hey Brandon

My condolences regarding your grandfather. Like you I spent a lot of time as a young kid on a boat with my grand father and consider those times as some of the best my memory has to offer me even though I grew up Bayliner instead of SeaCraft.

Obviously your gramps knew a good boat when he saw one ;)



Thanks for the cool post and pictures.

RIP Mr. Leonard

strick

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

Thanks for the kind comments gentlemen, those old pictures sure got my heart pumping. I'm glad to share them.

Capt Chuck, My brother got his book smarts, I got his love for SeaCrafts...my bro got the short end of the stick.

Gillie, I have 3 downriggers. I don't know what happened to the 4th.

Ken, I'm doin my best to hold it down for Canada.

Denny, He did have his priorities straight, that's for sure. Some of my greatest memories as a kid, involve or revolve around the Seafari. Your Seafari is awesome BTW!

Matt, I have a feeling there are more pics and hope to come across some as well. I will sure post them if I do.

Dave, I'm sure you will see for yourself, when you get your 25 done, that there is something different, very special, about sitting in the captains seat of a 25 Seafari. You will have instant memories of your own. In fact, you wont want it to be a memory so you wont want to come in. Awesome boat!

Lew, Those are words of wisdom! The cockpit of a Seafari 25 was my classroom so many times. I probably learned(or retained) more in that classroom, than any other combined.

Strick, It's funny, I kind of grew up Bayliner too. My Dad purchased one in 87, 11 years after my Gramp bought the Seacraft. I thought it was a cool boat when it was new but never lost the love for the older SeaCraft. Where's the Bayliner now? I don't know but it's not in my yard...

Thanks again guys,
Brandon

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

Brandon,

Thanks for the inspriring story of your grandfather.

Cherish your memories of him, better yet, honor him by trying to spend 3/4 of your time on the boat!

Godspeed Mr Leonard

Lloyd

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

Why do you think they are called BayLiners? They line the bay, of course!

I'm just kidding.

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

Very very wonderful thread. Thank you.

I'd like to have known your grandad.

Connor

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

sorry for your loss george

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

All I can say is that this fine group of boat lovers have said it all. I am amazed each day at the closeness of this group and how sincere and caring they all are. The memories with my grandpa were in an old Glaspar. The brand is irrelevant, but, the memories are priceless. I'm sorry for your loss and, as has been said previously, cherish the memories. You're one of the lucky ones that can relive the memories on a classic.

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

Uncleboo, George, Connor, and Lloyd,

Thanks for reading and for your heartfelt condolences.

You said it Uncleboo, this is a fine group of boat lovers!

Brandon

Re: Growing up Seafari
 

Cheers to your grandfather, here here Mr. Leonard!

He is along side some of the best now.
My 3yr old girl is now 4th generation on our SeaCraft, it don't get no better!