We appreciate the feedback. To be clear, we don’t always agree with everything our contributors or readers say in articles, book excerpts, or in the comments section. But as we’ve said before, we try for a light hand in terms of censorship or moderation, figuring you can handle reading something you disagree with or don’t find funny.
In this case the article is an excerpt from a sailing-related book you might like, or one you now know you won’t. —Eds
As a female, a lifelong singlehanding sailor (sailing three small sloops, plus Caribbean charters with non-nautical family), and as a former sportswriter who once covered water sports--including the America‘a Cup--please allow me to attempt to build a bridge across the space between the “this is not funny” crowd and the men who were amused by it. No, this is not funny, but it easily could have been, if one is open to overlooking the sexist generalities. Some readers do so automatically. Others who have been hurt so many times professionally by this type of thinking will never see the humor through the hot blaze of sexism. All that is needed to fix this piece is to stick with the known specifics--he has a Nordic wife who prefers comfortable domesticity and brings to the marriage a few kinda cute cultural leanings--and leave out the very few generalizations, eg, “all women are the same.” We are not. And actually, the editing is needed for an even greater reason than fact that the the “all women are silly on a boat” sentences is jaw-droppingly infantaizing. Editing is needed because the tale as written is glaringly not true. Readers are distracted from the point and irritated by the unnecessary addition of untrue generalizations that exist only to expand the desired contrast between a sailor and a homebody. Take out the unnecessary and untrue parts. Then it can be funny, and we who suffer from sexist generalities will read this prose happily. (PS: my experience of sailing with my husband is to say “it is time to tack” only to hear “when I finish this chapter.” “But we are going to hit St. John...”. “I only have a few pages left.”)
nailed it. I'm fine with the exaggerations, because this is going for tongue-in-cheek, but keep them based on the author's own marriage, not every woman who ever lived.
After over 53 years, my wife is my most trusted crew mate, and I trust her with my life. I really do not see humor here. Women sailors have faced enough adversity in the past for me to consider this funny. Yes, I have sailed race boats with coed crew and have had great respect for my female crew mates' abilities and steady influence in times of crisis. We do not need to dredge up old stereotypes that are simply untrue. To me, this is just not appropriate.
My lovely wife - who DOES occasionally sail with me - coerced me into putting decals on ea. topside of my (our?) San Juan 21 of a yellow hibiscus. “It matches the yellow trim on the motor.”
Oh, the shame of it all.
Now, as I prepare to order new working sails — she’s dismayed that they only come in “vanilla.”
Sorry, Josh. I don’t think articles like this are funny. You wouldn’t publish something that said other groups don’t belong on boats. I love sailing, and am sometimes the only woman out there. Samantha Ritchie
Well, my bride sure loved our Menger 19 catboat. Just enough room to get by, plus I took her to interesting places with nice beaches with that boat. She was a fair weather cabin girl, though; when the breeze got up to needing a reef, she'd command me to find a nice, quiet cove in which to anchor.
...and, the previous commenter is right: your wife will likely kill you before you collect your first royalty check, anyway. <;-)
Seriously, this is a very nice bit of tongue in check humor there. I'll take the free copy, if I many!
Equally humorous comments by the author could have been made regarding God not intending for clergy to be on sailing boats - a sentiment (whether we 'moderns' like it or not) that is just as historically grounded in the literature of historical sailing.
Finland and Estonia sort of share a common language, but the similarity is not complete enough to communicate well. My Estonian genes escaped and were nurtured in the USA. The connection to one’s heritage is appreciated.
My American wife would appreciate every Finnish comment. We have only sailed once in 17 year aboard an Alden Schooner. There may be an sailing outing in the future in the 14 foot KDI, named after her initials - MAD.
We appreciate the feedback. To be clear, we don’t always agree with everything our contributors or readers say in articles, book excerpts, or in the comments section. But as we’ve said before, we try for a light hand in terms of censorship or moderation, figuring you can handle reading something you disagree with or don’t find funny.
In this case the article is an excerpt from a sailing-related book you might like, or one you now know you won’t. —Eds
Congrats to Byron Backus, winner of the free copy of the book. —Eds
As a female, a lifelong singlehanding sailor (sailing three small sloops, plus Caribbean charters with non-nautical family), and as a former sportswriter who once covered water sports--including the America‘a Cup--please allow me to attempt to build a bridge across the space between the “this is not funny” crowd and the men who were amused by it. No, this is not funny, but it easily could have been, if one is open to overlooking the sexist generalities. Some readers do so automatically. Others who have been hurt so many times professionally by this type of thinking will never see the humor through the hot blaze of sexism. All that is needed to fix this piece is to stick with the known specifics--he has a Nordic wife who prefers comfortable domesticity and brings to the marriage a few kinda cute cultural leanings--and leave out the very few generalizations, eg, “all women are the same.” We are not. And actually, the editing is needed for an even greater reason than fact that the the “all women are silly on a boat” sentences is jaw-droppingly infantaizing. Editing is needed because the tale as written is glaringly not true. Readers are distracted from the point and irritated by the unnecessary addition of untrue generalizations that exist only to expand the desired contrast between a sailor and a homebody. Take out the unnecessary and untrue parts. Then it can be funny, and we who suffer from sexist generalities will read this prose happily. (PS: my experience of sailing with my husband is to say “it is time to tack” only to hear “when I finish this chapter.” “But we are going to hit St. John...”. “I only have a few pages left.”)
nailed it. I'm fine with the exaggerations, because this is going for tongue-in-cheek, but keep them based on the author's own marriage, not every woman who ever lived.
After over 53 years, my wife is my most trusted crew mate, and I trust her with my life. I really do not see humor here. Women sailors have faced enough adversity in the past for me to consider this funny. Yes, I have sailed race boats with coed crew and have had great respect for my female crew mates' abilities and steady influence in times of crisis. We do not need to dredge up old stereotypes that are simply untrue. To me, this is just not appropriate.
Amen!
My lovely wife - who DOES occasionally sail with me - coerced me into putting decals on ea. topside of my (our?) San Juan 21 of a yellow hibiscus. “It matches the yellow trim on the motor.”
Oh, the shame of it all.
Now, as I prepare to order new working sails — she’s dismayed that they only come in “vanilla.”
… the things I do to maintain marital bliss.
- Rick M
Sorry, Josh. I don’t think articles like this are funny. You wouldn’t publish something that said other groups don’t belong on boats. I love sailing, and am sometimes the only woman out there. Samantha Ritchie
Honesty may be the best policy, but keeping one's spouse in a slight dark may make life a little easier.
Enjoyed the glimpse of reality. PJB
So true! My wife sometimes complains of queasyness when looking out the kitchen window at my trailer-sailor in the driveway.
But secretly, I wish my wife enjoyed sailing.
Ditto! Maybe it'll happen someday...but I fear that I'll have to replace my little Potter first.
I understand entirely
Well, my bride sure loved our Menger 19 catboat. Just enough room to get by, plus I took her to interesting places with nice beaches with that boat. She was a fair weather cabin girl, though; when the breeze got up to needing a reef, she'd command me to find a nice, quiet cove in which to anchor.
...and, the previous commenter is right: your wife will likely kill you before you collect your first royalty check, anyway. <;-)
Seriously, this is a very nice bit of tongue in check humor there. I'll take the free copy, if I many!
Yes and yes!
When I first read the title I thought Josh was talking about me!
Equally humorous comments by the author could have been made regarding God not intending for clergy to be on sailing boats - a sentiment (whether we 'moderns' like it or not) that is just as historically grounded in the literature of historical sailing.
Finland and Estonia sort of share a common language, but the similarity is not complete enough to communicate well. My Estonian genes escaped and were nurtured in the USA. The connection to one’s heritage is appreciated.
My American wife would appreciate every Finnish comment. We have only sailed once in 17 year aboard an Alden Schooner. There may be an sailing outing in the future in the 14 foot KDI, named after her initials - MAD.
Josh
I think you should moderate content this is awful.
Steve
Thanks for the comment. May I assume that you are NOT going to buy the book? Darn, another $1.25 I won't make. ~ Doc Regan
Haha! Would love to read more, please consider me for the signed copy.