A while ago when we were discussing photographing the mish-mash of fiberglass under the mast bucket, I noticed a strange thing. In my photo of the bucket on Dana, I saw a small bluish/green lump of something in the foreground of the photo. Today, in the yard, while getting the boat winterized, I was able to get along dowel down into the space under the fuel tank to retrieve the item. It took some doing using a mirror and a flashlight to bring it aft into the bilge area. Much to my surprise, the item is a very corroded copper penny. It must have been there from 1978 when the boat was built, 42 years ago. My first thought was to trash the penny and be glad that I cleaned it out. Then I thought, What if it was placed in the boat by the guys doing the building as a good luck charm. There is the superstition that placing a coin under a stepped mast is a good thing. Now I'm not a superstitious person, BUT!! Seeing as how we have sailed the boat for all these years, going many miles and seeing many places without any major incidents or disasters, I think a little bit of good luck was always on board. So instead of shitcanning my corroded penny, I tossed it back under the fuel tank where it can live out it's existence and hopefully continue to bring Bonnie and I and Dana some more of it's magic. Jim
I am glad you put it back! LOL Don't mess with the status quo in this case. Don't push your luck, as they say. Mitchell
I'm so glad to hear that I made the right choice with the lucky penny. Even if it really wasn't placed there as a good luck piece originally. We need all the help we can get to dance on that edge. Jim
Great story! Now I am tempted to get out the mirror and scope and find my lucky penny! (or maybe not, since I don't want to contemplate the implications of not finding one
Cool story, Jim ... I, too, am glad you put it back. I'm also not going to look for one on Zia - don't want to know if we are missing one. Although, I hear they are on sale at West Marine for $79.
Mark Someone from Worst Marine probably read the story and had a penny, with the green crud, copied and manufactured in China. I'm truly surprised they market it for ONLY $79. Jim
