With us in Sprit

In 2008 Fat Bottom Girl went through an extensive overall. It was going to be through the winter and back in the water for racing in 2009. But life changes plans and the boat ended up being out of the water until 2012. 

During this time I lost two dear friends.  

I was pumped to have local boat guru Keith "Darbo" Darby showing me his "old school" go fast sailboat secrets. Darbo was a legend and shared not only boat tips but also great sailing stories. He ran around Key West with Bubba and other characters racing boats and delivering weed. Once he had to sink his boat so the Coast Guard wouldn't find his contraband. My kind of unconventional hero.   

We went to work and as we got into the project, Darbo was diagnosed with cancer. Darbo had become a close friend. We focused on boat work as long as we could and I cherished our time together. I learned a lot from Darbo and he gave me his collection of boat maintenance books that are cherished on my bookshelf to this day.

Dave "Dirty Dave" Rideout was a close friend from High School (1984)who later came sailing and became an awesome rockstart. A ladies man, Dave was quick with witty innuendo that was typically well received. Dave was highly involved in out 2008 maintenance. Sadly he suffered a fatal stroke.  

"Darbo" and "Dirty Dave" didn't get to see Fat Bottom Girl go back in the water but they are with us in sprit!