Growing up Seafari

[seafari25]

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

[DonV]

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.

[seafari25]

Thank you Don,

Im sorry for your loss as well.

Brandon

[McGillicuddy]

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...

[Capt Chuck]

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

Thank you Mr Leonard

[McGillicuddy]

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

[NoBones]

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

[Bushwacker]

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

[castalot]

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

[Blue_Heron]

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