So true! I recall a powerboat owner once telling an engineless sailboat owner how, because she didn't get "as far north" as he did during the summer season..."You didn't see ANYthing!" Her reply? "You're wrong. I saw EVERYthing." It's what we work and wait for all the rest of the year, isn't it? The time actually ON the water, loose from a dock, moved only by wind and tide. At least, it is for me. Loved this article!
I once took a 73ft Hatteras Sportfish to scout anchorages in the B.V.I. to scout anchorages for a 167ft Feadship. The crew remarked that the 4 hour round trip from Christiansted would’ve taken days in my sailboat. While sipping a Bloody Mary in the air conditioned fly bridge, I responded, “and your point?”
Ooh, I hate that term "fly bridge." Makes me envision a steering station with a dead fish rotting in the binnacle, attracting a huge swarm of flies. It doesn't sound like a water-person's term, but rather the jargon of a boat salesperson wearing bright plaid pants and an orange sports jacket. I do know what a flying bridge is.
Hear,hear! I am also a cyclist and enjoy multi day tours. Cycle touring has a lot in common with sailing, with the exception of the amount of work involved. Watching the world slowly come into view as we sail or cycle by make every trip fun and satisfying. My mantra is “it’s not the destination, but the trip”!
I'm thinking as an hypothesis that the ideal speed of a small vessel is really dependent on the conditions - environmental or human. Whatever the boat, sail or power, there are those fine lazy summer days when no cruising speed is too slow - and that's the dream for many sailors and even a few powerboaters. But the reality is that most of the time our ideal boat speed is usually at the mercy of sea, weather, and daylight conditions, from those perfect sailing or motoring seas to possible incoming weather or rising winds, currents, or waves, when a more determined speed might be prudent and ideal. The other criterion is crew and passengers - from being a solo skipper or having a like-minded crew to having on board for example a person susceptible to seasickness, a fidgety toddler, a true landlubber, a person disdaining the head, etc. Then no matter the inclination of the skipper the ideal speed becomes a compromise at best or an inarguable demand. But those days when we can go into Zen mode... so nice.
Extremely Well said. Wether sailing or rowing , after about 45 minutes my mind is in a very special place
So true! I recall a powerboat owner once telling an engineless sailboat owner how, because she didn't get "as far north" as he did during the summer season..."You didn't see ANYthing!" Her reply? "You're wrong. I saw EVERYthing." It's what we work and wait for all the rest of the year, isn't it? The time actually ON the water, loose from a dock, moved only by wind and tide. At least, it is for me. Loved this article!
I once took a 73ft Hatteras Sportfish to scout anchorages in the B.V.I. to scout anchorages for a 167ft Feadship. The crew remarked that the 4 hour round trip from Christiansted would’ve taken days in my sailboat. While sipping a Bloody Mary in the air conditioned fly bridge, I responded, “and your point?”
Ooh, I hate that term "fly bridge." Makes me envision a steering station with a dead fish rotting in the binnacle, attracting a huge swarm of flies. It doesn't sound like a water-person's term, but rather the jargon of a boat salesperson wearing bright plaid pants and an orange sports jacket. I do know what a flying bridge is.
We call it "the Zen of Sailing." My husband says if speed was really the point we'd be into aviation.
Hear,hear! I am also a cyclist and enjoy multi day tours. Cycle touring has a lot in common with sailing, with the exception of the amount of work involved. Watching the world slowly come into view as we sail or cycle by make every trip fun and satisfying. My mantra is “it’s not the destination, but the trip”!
A beautiful piece. Evokes the poetry that it’s sailing.
I'm thinking as an hypothesis that the ideal speed of a small vessel is really dependent on the conditions - environmental or human. Whatever the boat, sail or power, there are those fine lazy summer days when no cruising speed is too slow - and that's the dream for many sailors and even a few powerboaters. But the reality is that most of the time our ideal boat speed is usually at the mercy of sea, weather, and daylight conditions, from those perfect sailing or motoring seas to possible incoming weather or rising winds, currents, or waves, when a more determined speed might be prudent and ideal. The other criterion is crew and passengers - from being a solo skipper or having a like-minded crew to having on board for example a person susceptible to seasickness, a fidgety toddler, a true landlubber, a person disdaining the head, etc. Then no matter the inclination of the skipper the ideal speed becomes a compromise at best or an inarguable demand. But those days when we can go into Zen mode... so nice.
…amen.