My less than profound answer to your question “why” is simply selfishness. We do a certain number of things to make us feel better about ourselves. There is no reason to beat oneself up over this less than Mother Teresa approach to life and while a great deal of good is not accomplished by our undertakings, at least there is minimal to negligible harm. Increasing or enhancing our own estimation of ourselves or our abilities may translate to a benefit elsewhere but in the scheme of things, just enjoy the experience and be thankful for the privilege and opportunity to do so in this crazy world.
I could write a long-winded dissertation on all the reasons why I do it, but instead I'll leave you with this attempt to capture the wonder of it all - a poem I wrote after my 2017 sail and oar trip along the Inside Passage:
Snow crowned mountains with their feet in the sea,
white falls tumbling straight down to tidewater.
Salmon bodies feed sacred cedar trees,
wrapped safe in kelp beds; vital sea otters.
Grizzlies on beaches flipping over stones,
jade liquid slow lapping on hard white sand,
yellow iris meadows filled with bees’ drone,
thrush calls, wren warbles, soft behind the strand.
Loved reading this! In the fall of 2015 I trailered my Compac 23 pilot house across the continent, launched in Pender Harbour Sept 28th and sailed, motor sailed or motored on up and around Desolation Sound, Discovery Islands, up Johnstone Strait, around the Broughtons across Black Fish Sound to Port McNeil and then played around the east end of Queen Charlotte Sound as far as Drury Inlet before putting back south again and hauling out December 6th. Solo as well and being late off season, other boats, even water taxis were rare. Like yourself, certainly questioned my sanity at times as there was often ice on the decks in the morning but the scenery, wildlife and sense of accomplishment made it worthwhile
Very nice… years ago I spent 3 weeks in the Broughton’s, also on a Com-Pac (an Eclipse named Moon Shadow. Ferried to Victoria, trailered up Vancouver Island and put in at Telegraph Harbor. That area is rich with whales (both Orca and Humpbacks), Bears (both Black and Grizzlies), dolphins, Dungenous, Spotted Shrimp and yes, very very few people. Sounds like a great trip.
"Realizing there is a group of similarly demented characters ripe for the polling… I thought I would put it to Small Craft Advisor readers!" John I love the wild beauty of nature that is where you are, BUT, I'll receive my fulfillment through your words and photos! Speaking of which, any photos of all that turbulent water? with your Tuffy bent over to touch it? Also enjoying knowing your spirit is being over fed! Keep up the safe (and wild) journey -
Beautiful! Both the boat and the surroundings. I can't say I have a lot of regrets about my boats, but sometimes I regret I can't own more at the same time! That little boat and others of that design have always got a place in my dreams!
Damn good question. In the morning I leave for a two day drive from the hills of Oklahoma to the barren shores of the Laguna Madre at Port Mansfield Texas. I'll be pulling a new recently finished unproven Proa, Questing Beast, for yet another run at the Texas 200.
The boat has taken far more time and effort to finish than originally anticipated; a combination of supply issues, poor choices on my part and simple old age. At 81 I should scale back my projects a bit more ;-).
Why I put myself through it is simple, I'm driven. A compulsion to travel an unexplored path to find a unique solution to this travel at the interface of the sea and the shore. There have been both successes and failures along the journey and I wouldn't change a bit of it.
I've come to appreciate just what a challenge I've been to my spouse along the way but I suspect she wouldn't want me to change but a readjustment of priorities would be appreciated. Hopefully Questing Beast will do well enough in this years Texas 200, we are always at the mercy of the weather gods.
After the 200 it will be back to a somewhat normal routine of day to day life with some excursions to fine tune the craft and perhaps one more 200 for this old man next year, there are plenty of other interesting paths to follow after that that don't require quite so much effort.
Thanks for the updates, keep them coming! Tell Bob that I'm taking good care of My Last Boat VII. Got some new sails ordered up and replacing the rigging. Have a great trip!
Thinking sailor John, certainly asks and answers questions we all ponder (or should). Facing challenging situations builds character and likely one's spirit too. Regardless of age, we owe it to ourselves to follow in John and Bob's wake, at least in spirit and best on the water.
I agree with Jonathan, selfishness plays a big part! That said it is a good selfishness as it is possible to share the experience, by the example set to inspire others, by the guests who accept our invites and witness the profound beauty of the natural world you've described! I'm fortunate my bride has come to enjoy such outings as well! But I am selfish, and want more time in the wilds where I feel content, fulfilled, living in the moment, my age matters not! AllthebestRoy
My less than profound answer to your question “why” is simply selfishness. We do a certain number of things to make us feel better about ourselves. There is no reason to beat oneself up over this less than Mother Teresa approach to life and while a great deal of good is not accomplished by our undertakings, at least there is minimal to negligible harm. Increasing or enhancing our own estimation of ourselves or our abilities may translate to a benefit elsewhere but in the scheme of things, just enjoy the experience and be thankful for the privilege and opportunity to do so in this crazy world.
I could write a long-winded dissertation on all the reasons why I do it, but instead I'll leave you with this attempt to capture the wonder of it all - a poem I wrote after my 2017 sail and oar trip along the Inside Passage:
Snow crowned mountains with their feet in the sea,
white falls tumbling straight down to tidewater.
Salmon bodies feed sacred cedar trees,
wrapped safe in kelp beds; vital sea otters.
Grizzlies on beaches flipping over stones,
jade liquid slow lapping on hard white sand,
yellow iris meadows filled with bees’ drone,
thrush calls, wren warbles, soft behind the strand.
Slashing rains driven by the rising gale,
give way to mist-shrouded dead calm dark fjords.
Cannon-shot breaching of a humpback whale,
night sky stars like lasers; galaxy’s swords.
The mind will not focus, the heart it yearns,
soon back to my north coast I must return.
Very admirable job of capturing the ethereal nature of The Passage. Thanks!
Loved reading this! In the fall of 2015 I trailered my Compac 23 pilot house across the continent, launched in Pender Harbour Sept 28th and sailed, motor sailed or motored on up and around Desolation Sound, Discovery Islands, up Johnstone Strait, around the Broughtons across Black Fish Sound to Port McNeil and then played around the east end of Queen Charlotte Sound as far as Drury Inlet before putting back south again and hauling out December 6th. Solo as well and being late off season, other boats, even water taxis were rare. Like yourself, certainly questioned my sanity at times as there was often ice on the decks in the morning but the scenery, wildlife and sense of accomplishment made it worthwhile
Very nice… years ago I spent 3 weeks in the Broughton’s, also on a Com-Pac (an Eclipse named Moon Shadow. Ferried to Victoria, trailered up Vancouver Island and put in at Telegraph Harbor. That area is rich with whales (both Orca and Humpbacks), Bears (both Black and Grizzlies), dolphins, Dungenous, Spotted Shrimp and yes, very very few people. Sounds like a great trip.
"Realizing there is a group of similarly demented characters ripe for the polling… I thought I would put it to Small Craft Advisor readers!" John I love the wild beauty of nature that is where you are, BUT, I'll receive my fulfillment through your words and photos! Speaking of which, any photos of all that turbulent water? with your Tuffy bent over to touch it? Also enjoying knowing your spirit is being over fed! Keep up the safe (and wild) journey -
Beautiful! Both the boat and the surroundings. I can't say I have a lot of regrets about my boats, but sometimes I regret I can't own more at the same time! That little boat and others of that design have always got a place in my dreams!
She’s a beauty, and a capable gal! Thanks.
Damn good question. In the morning I leave for a two day drive from the hills of Oklahoma to the barren shores of the Laguna Madre at Port Mansfield Texas. I'll be pulling a new recently finished unproven Proa, Questing Beast, for yet another run at the Texas 200.
The boat has taken far more time and effort to finish than originally anticipated; a combination of supply issues, poor choices on my part and simple old age. At 81 I should scale back my projects a bit more ;-).
Why I put myself through it is simple, I'm driven. A compulsion to travel an unexplored path to find a unique solution to this travel at the interface of the sea and the shore. There have been both successes and failures along the journey and I wouldn't change a bit of it.
I've come to appreciate just what a challenge I've been to my spouse along the way but I suspect she wouldn't want me to change but a readjustment of priorities would be appreciated. Hopefully Questing Beast will do well enough in this years Texas 200, we are always at the mercy of the weather gods.
After the 200 it will be back to a somewhat normal routine of day to day life with some excursions to fine tune the craft and perhaps one more 200 for this old man next year, there are plenty of other interesting paths to follow after that that don't require quite so much effort.
Thanks for the updates, keep them coming! Tell Bob that I'm taking good care of My Last Boat VII. Got some new sails ordered up and replacing the rigging. Have a great trip!
---Kyle
Thanks Kyle, I will tell Bob and maybe we’ll cross wakes when we get back into southern waters. John
Because it's there....and because you can.
Thinking sailor John, certainly asks and answers questions we all ponder (or should). Facing challenging situations builds character and likely one's spirit too. Regardless of age, we owe it to ourselves to follow in John and Bob's wake, at least in spirit and best on the water.
Thanks Johnny! Been too long. Hope all is well down there in California!
Keep going smaller. Now to a 12-foot SF Pelican for local sails and camp/cruising. I'll stay an armchair sailor of the Inside Passage like yours.
I agree with Jonathan, selfishness plays a big part! That said it is a good selfishness as it is possible to share the experience, by the example set to inspire others, by the guests who accept our invites and witness the profound beauty of the natural world you've described! I'm fortunate my bride has come to enjoy such outings as well! But I am selfish, and want more time in the wilds where I feel content, fulfilled, living in the moment, my age matters not! AllthebestRoy