I could share no less than a hundred stories about Jakeypoo (I know he hates me calling him that)... all of them involve him selflessly helping an annoying kid (me) out of a jam that I put myself in.
One of them I particular have to thank him for (and Zander and Dave Lennard!) is at Outback cup, I think last year it was. I had taken a lot of time off to get my boat fixed, working, and back to snuff. I was really looking forward to getting back on the water. On the trip down, I had gotten some bad news about my family, and my crew informed me that he wouldn't be able to meet me to rig the boat that night. I went from being on cloud 9 to feeling pretty sorry for myself. Anyone that knows me off this forum that I do wear my emotions on my sleeve, and I'll whine about them and anything else if you give me an opportunity.
Anyways. I was pulling the boat into the parking lot at Columbia Sailing Club, and coming around the round about. It was dark already and the rear visibility of the Vehicross wasn't the best. I tagged Jake's lowered truck tailgate and put a nice 6" long deep gouge down the side of Undecided's yellow side.
I was livid, pissed off, and being pretty childish about it, I admit. Jake immediately consoles my passion that was lashing out in every direction and assured me that his truck was fine, and the gouge could be fixed and I'd be on the water in the morning no problem. Tells me to get sandpaper. Zander gets the resin, Lennard gets the glass and after I sanded out the groove for an hour, Jake meticulously laid the glass in for me.
Next morning I sanded it down, and while it looked like a skidmark on the side of my hull, I was sailing.
Like I said, this is only one of a hundred stories where Jake has helped me out. (LIke when he completely rebuilt the port side bow!) He's a true friend and someone I really am grateful to know!
Happy birfday Jake!
