The Top of the World to the Bottom of the Bay

A capsize tale by Rob Rogerson

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This story is about my Marsh Hen Serpent, a 17 ½ foot classic design sharpie and the Washington’s Birthday Regatta on Biscayne Bay. My sweet looking little boat got her name as I was launching her for her maiden sail on a freshwater lake and nearly stepped on two amorous water moccasins. I don’t know who was more surprised, me or the love struck snakes, but I had been looking for a sign to help me name my ship and this one could not be ignored. Despite any negative connotations associated with snakes I thought seeing these creatures at such a blissful moment had to be a good sign. The shakedown sail in 10 knots of wind went quite well, but I did not follow the traditional re-naming ceremony. To the superstitious sailor the events that followed may have been well deserved. Personally I attribute them to inexperience, bad luck, and incomplete preparation.