The
idea of the Strictly Sailing Project started sometime in 1999. I was sitting
at my dull desk job, when I couldn't help but notice all the dot-coms of the world
were going to the heights of economic splendor. I felt I was missing out. There
was money, in grotesque amounts, being thrown at this technological wonder called
the Internet. I just knew if I didn't act fast, I was going to miss my chance
at the easy millions.
As I continued to sit there web surfing on company time, excitment and ideas
started to flood my mind about my own Internet windfall. "A website of my own,
that's what I need", I thought to myself. But about what? That was the only problem.
Then, it hit me. It would have to be something to do with sailing. After all,
when I wasn't playing at work, I was playing on the water.
That day, as the hours slowly passed, I couldn't contain myself. I left work
early to rush home to my bride so I could share with her the news of our soon
to be fortune. For what ever reason, she wasn't quite as enthusiastic about the
whole matter, but I knew, as soon as the bank account started to overflow, she
would warm up to the concept. Women work that way.
With time ticking and not a moment to loose, I asked my lovely partner about
available funds in the coffers. She informed me after buying milk, breed, toliet
paper, and my weekly bottle of rum, that only $62.37 was left in the checkbook.
"Perfect!", I replied. A domain name would only cost about $20.00 a year and I
could start out on one of those freebie web hosters.
I knew if this was going to work, that some sacrifices would have to be made,
after all, money was tight. With the way I figured it, by taking cold showers,
having the kid walk to school each day, and cutting back on that costly toiletpaper,
we would make it just fine.
Well,
that was years ago and look at us now. While other fat dollar web sites have long
since crashed and tumbled, Strictly Sailing has maintained it primary objective
of slow and steady growth [the steady part is the slow part]. Strictly Sailing
has gone through several changes over the years and has finally settled into its
niche; a broker free Internet classified site for skippers looking to sell their
boats. It is my mission to have the most useful and comprehensive "For Sale
by Skipper" sailboat classifieds web site in the world. Currently, there
is no obligation to pay anything for a standard sailing classified , and it will
always stay that way.
So, that's it. That's the Strictly Sailing Story. While we haven't yet
banked that first million, I am proud to say, that for the last couple of years,
we have moved back to full toilet paper consumption. And that, by itself, is worth
millions to my wife. Thanks for stopping in.
From the quarterdeck of JoyRide,
Kirk S. Jockell
