I reflexively chose "time" but reality is more complicated. Sliding into a PNW winter means taking advantage of the opportunity to sail when one presents itself. Last week I got out for a spectacular afternoon on the water, brisk but sunny with a 10-14 knot southerly and I almost missed it because of an ongoing boat building project in my shop that also brings me joy. It was one of those moments where I looked out the window and thought "Wow, it turned into a nice day out there" then returned to making little bits of wood out of big ones. As thoughts turned to how nice it will one day be to sail the next boat it also occurred to me that I have a boat sitting in her slip waiting for me. An unusual wave of good sense swept over me and I put the jack plane down, grabbed my "boat bag" and headed out. The lesson here is that you need to notice the brass ring going by and grab on before it is too late.
Reluctantly, I must add to my List, the following: "Me", and to that, it's partners in crime, um, I mean, subcategories, of Procrastination, Laziness, Lack of Discipline, Poor Planning, etc. :)
I retired early at 54, purchased a strong and seaworthy 28' Morgan Outland sailboat with the intent of sailing "around the world", while I still had my youth and health. I write that with tongue-in-cheek, because no one ever plans to sail "around the world" without a specific destination. Yet it sounds so adventurous, without a specific plan, and is why I wrote this. I spent 14 years sailing the Sea of Cortez, visiting the many abandoned islands and the many cities like Sant Rosalia, San Carlos, Bahia Los Angeles, La Paz, etc., and on to the gold coast of Mexico for Puerta Vallarta, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Navidad, etc. I could not leave Mexico for there was a lifetime of ports, people and customs to experience.
I mention this to advise anyone who is thinking of sailing "around the world" would be best to do it sooner than later. Do it when you have your health, your energy and your wonder for I am no 75 and suffer from many aliments from a physically deteriorating body ready to shut down any time soon. I have so many memories of anchorages and of friends I have shared when I was young enough to enjoy the adventure of sailing, that I have to admit now it was the correct thing to do at the time. Don't wait any longer or there is never a better time to leave as the present. They say you will never complete all of your boat projects by your departure date, and let me add to that, You will never experience all of the experiences the later you leave, so leave now and leave while you physically can.
I have written a saying from my years of sailing...I once asked myself, "What is the difference between an Adventurer and a Fool?" Answer: An Adventurer returns to tell his tale of adventure, where a Fool keeps sailing trying to find it. And, in the same vein I would say there are many more adventurous Fools than there are foolish Adventurers. Which are you?
I hope I have answered your question, for that is how I see sailing now that I am too old to single hand my sailboat as I had in my youth.
I celebrated my 75th birthday about a month ago and I will say that it's a weird experience having been alive for three quarters of a century. With all that, I'm still grateful to be here, with the friends, family, and experiences that I've had and still have. Much foolishness, many adventures, and more tales to tell than there are days left for the task.
Being the caregiver for my wife (and better half). Plus, years ago I foolishly traded my perfectly good canoe for a 13' sailboat which I have never had in the water because there is no place near here I can sail. Anybody want a 13' sailboat with trailer and brand new sails, cheap? It's in SE Ohio....
Weather. This past summer I sailed less than any previous summer due to rain in the spring, intense heat in late summer and no wind on many days. Now my boat is covered for the winter on Kentucky Lake.
Thankfully, I'm retired and have the time, a 12-ft boat is cheap, just got over Covid but feeling better again, I don't need crew, and launching is only 15-miles away. So, my only "excuse" is the desire for sunshine and a fair breeze, which can still be elusive in "sunny" Southern California. I'll try harder!
Boat ramp chaos with aggressive power boaters makes me think twice about getting out on the water. Did MC Escher (or AI Escher) inspire the article illustration?
AI-generated graphics should be reviewed before publication. Including hallucinations like this degrades the content of the article and insults the intelligence of the reader.
I recently had a procedure that has messed up my equilibrium big time. This is temporary but while it lasts I'm afraid that I'm carrying the physical experience of being on a rolling boat with me wherever I go and whatever I'm doing. Sometimes this sort of experience can go too far and I'd kinda like to just put ashore for a spell. Meanwhile, my new best friend is my physical therapist.
PS I am really fortunate that in this time I've got a "crew" of great friends who are eager to lend a hand.
Old age ( a new issue for me but real nonetheless). Before that it was weather, I vowed years ago not to go out on water that can kill me.
I got to the point that rigging/derigging was too much of a chore to do regularly and a neighbor graciously allowed me to keep QB tied up at his floating boat dock this summer .
Plan is to sell the beast next summer after one more run at the TX200. There'll then probably be a smaller simpler craft to fill the void.
I reflexively chose "time" but reality is more complicated. Sliding into a PNW winter means taking advantage of the opportunity to sail when one presents itself. Last week I got out for a spectacular afternoon on the water, brisk but sunny with a 10-14 knot southerly and I almost missed it because of an ongoing boat building project in my shop that also brings me joy. It was one of those moments where I looked out the window and thought "Wow, it turned into a nice day out there" then returned to making little bits of wood out of big ones. As thoughts turned to how nice it will one day be to sail the next boat it also occurred to me that I have a boat sitting in her slip waiting for me. An unusual wave of good sense swept over me and I put the jack plane down, grabbed my "boat bag" and headed out. The lesson here is that you need to notice the brass ring going by and grab on before it is too late.
Reluctantly, I must add to my List, the following: "Me", and to that, it's partners in crime, um, I mean, subcategories, of Procrastination, Laziness, Lack of Discipline, Poor Planning, etc. :)
I retired early at 54, purchased a strong and seaworthy 28' Morgan Outland sailboat with the intent of sailing "around the world", while I still had my youth and health. I write that with tongue-in-cheek, because no one ever plans to sail "around the world" without a specific destination. Yet it sounds so adventurous, without a specific plan, and is why I wrote this. I spent 14 years sailing the Sea of Cortez, visiting the many abandoned islands and the many cities like Sant Rosalia, San Carlos, Bahia Los Angeles, La Paz, etc., and on to the gold coast of Mexico for Puerta Vallarta, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Navidad, etc. I could not leave Mexico for there was a lifetime of ports, people and customs to experience.
I mention this to advise anyone who is thinking of sailing "around the world" would be best to do it sooner than later. Do it when you have your health, your energy and your wonder for I am no 75 and suffer from many aliments from a physically deteriorating body ready to shut down any time soon. I have so many memories of anchorages and of friends I have shared when I was young enough to enjoy the adventure of sailing, that I have to admit now it was the correct thing to do at the time. Don't wait any longer or there is never a better time to leave as the present. They say you will never complete all of your boat projects by your departure date, and let me add to that, You will never experience all of the experiences the later you leave, so leave now and leave while you physically can.
I have written a saying from my years of sailing...I once asked myself, "What is the difference between an Adventurer and a Fool?" Answer: An Adventurer returns to tell his tale of adventure, where a Fool keeps sailing trying to find it. And, in the same vein I would say there are many more adventurous Fools than there are foolish Adventurers. Which are you?
I hope I have answered your question, for that is how I see sailing now that I am too old to single hand my sailboat as I had in my youth.
I celebrated my 75th birthday about a month ago and I will say that it's a weird experience having been alive for three quarters of a century. With all that, I'm still grateful to be here, with the friends, family, and experiences that I've had and still have. Much foolishness, many adventures, and more tales to tell than there are days left for the task.
Being the caregiver for my wife (and better half). Plus, years ago I foolishly traded my perfectly good canoe for a 13' sailboat which I have never had in the water because there is no place near here I can sail. Anybody want a 13' sailboat with trailer and brand new sails, cheap? It's in SE Ohio....
I am without a boat at this time. Sold my long-time owned cruiser and am in the market for a trailer sailor. Something in the 18-20 foot range.
I enjoy reading the tails in this publication and hope to contribute in the future.
Steve H
Nothing keeping me off the water. I sail over a hundred days a year
Weather. This past summer I sailed less than any previous summer due to rain in the spring, intense heat in late summer and no wind on many days. Now my boat is covered for the winter on Kentucky Lake.
It was 26 degrees this morning in Michigan, so weather is part of it!
29 in the Atlanta area just a couple of nights ago! And a weird Fall night thunderstorm just a few days before that! Never seen anything like it.
Got to have a boat to float 1st. Got one under construction, but it isn't ready to swim
Thankfully, I'm retired and have the time, a 12-ft boat is cheap, just got over Covid but feeling better again, I don't need crew, and launching is only 15-miles away. So, my only "excuse" is the desire for sunshine and a fair breeze, which can still be elusive in "sunny" Southern California. I'll try harder!
"Time/Schedule" yes, but more specifically work, family, chores, projects.
Global warming. Crazy weather this past summer with too many thunderstorms and high temperatures.
Where are you located, Jonathan?
Southern Maryland
I'm lucky to live on the East side of Vancouver Island in BC, so I get to sail all year.
Boat ramp chaos with aggressive power boaters makes me think twice about getting out on the water. Did MC Escher (or AI Escher) inspire the article illustration?
I'd guess "No." thinking that it's merely the hallucination of the AI image generator that I wish I didn't have to see to read articles here.
AI-generated graphics should be reviewed before publication. Including hallucinations like this degrades the content of the article and insults the intelligence of the reader.
I recently had a procedure that has messed up my equilibrium big time. This is temporary but while it lasts I'm afraid that I'm carrying the physical experience of being on a rolling boat with me wherever I go and whatever I'm doing. Sometimes this sort of experience can go too far and I'd kinda like to just put ashore for a spell. Meanwhile, my new best friend is my physical therapist.
PS I am really fortunate that in this time I've got a "crew" of great friends who are eager to lend a hand.
Old age ( a new issue for me but real nonetheless). Before that it was weather, I vowed years ago not to go out on water that can kill me.
I got to the point that rigging/derigging was too much of a chore to do regularly and a neighbor graciously allowed me to keep QB tied up at his floating boat dock this summer .
Plan is to sell the beast next summer after one more run at the TX200. There'll then probably be a smaller simpler craft to fill the void.