New member, one foot in San Francisco, one in the Med

[Gibbay]

Hello,


I apologize, for years I have been lurking in the shadow of the cruisers Forum. I gained a lot of good information, learned a ton of things from others who wanted to invest their time to explain everything from seamanship to fixing their water maker.



I have become more and more concerned about privacy issues due to abuses from Google, Facebook or any tech companies providing a free service in exchange of knowing everything about your private life. I am in software and financial services and was an early adopter of most products and yet now I go to great length to keep my privacy.


BUT this a great group, and today I decided to sign up!!!


A bit about myself: I learn to sail on an Opti. I had a 420, a Finn, raced 470s, 505s, IOR boats (from Quarter to two tons), cruise small and big boats, and today still race actively a Laser (I am a Grand Master) out of San Francisco, where the water is freezing and the winds blows 15-25 knots EVERY day in the summer. My last big boat was a big Swan, no more teak decks for me :-)



I keep a Santana 22 in San Francisco for day sailing and an Old Amel Meltem in the Med (I plan to restore her back to original) where I enjoy warm water.


I hate to say that but my background is Insurance: anything from actuary to loss prevention engineer at FM Global. Lately I founded and served as CEO of a large insurance company and CEO of lots of ventures related to insurance.


I don't want to mix work and pleasure but I have found that I am not terribly impressed by the way insurance companies treat their customers. Maybe it is possible to do something about and create a self insured fund, similar to a Mutual Insurance Company with profits back to the shareholders/stakeholders/cruisers?



What do you all think?



For now if I find a way to squeeze little time in my schedule, you will find me on a boat somewhere. Sailing, racing (small boats), or fixing something on a big boat.


Thank you for readin!

[Celestialsailor]

Hi Gibbay...welcome to the forum. It seems there is no getting away from "them" anymore. Amel is a great boat.

[Adelie]

Welcome.

[gamayun]

Welcome! I've never heard of a Grand Master in Laser sailing. What's that about? As to privacy data issues, those here on Cruisers Forum can certainly drive you crazy mad in so many other ways. Just wait

[Gibbay]

@gamayun a Grand Master in Laser racing is somebody above 55 year old...There is no mastery here :-)
Great Grand Master is above 65
Legend is above 75 and those guys are STRONG!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Gibbay.

[Nauticus]

Hi and welcome from Ontario Canada [emoji846]
I had to chase my insurance broker and agency to take my payments. They still haven't taken any. Such is life in Ontario Canada.