Sailing
For many years my wife and I sailed our beautiful offshore boat:
Our boat was strong and safe - her sistership had sailed around the world. She had a reliable Volvo inboard diesel engine, roller furling, standing headroom, lots of extras, and hand carved by me, companionway doors. Below decks she was nicely appointed, standing headroom throughout, a nice galley with full stove for baking, and a good work area. There was lots of lighting below with both interior electric light and well placed windows for natural light, a good heater for winter, and great curtains my wife made for privacy when in port. There was no gasoline anywhere on board - diesel for engine, heater, and generator, and denatured alcohol main stove in the galley. Forward there was a comfortable large cabin for privacy, a well appointed head, shower, and so on, while the main cabin was capable of sleeping six.
Above decks the boat was set up for easy single handing with every control, including Simpson-Lawrence controls for two foreword anchors running back to the cockpit. We usually took three sails for our Bermuda rig. Roller furling on the bow with a storm rig, and cockpit controlled three-point furl for the main. I made some lazy-jacks which worked extremely well. Dropping the mainsail took only a moment as it folded even in a stiff breeze into the jacks. Lots of oversize winches made things nice and easy. Below the waterline was a 3/4 keel (lead), a rudder post, and tree-bladed prop. I built a stainless steel Bimini which kept us dry in the rain and out of the sun the rest of the time.
Instruments: Good VHS, GPS, barometer, Loran, autopilot and self-steering via NEMA, anchor alarm, wind speed/direction, electronic and magnetic compasses, fully equipped navigation station, and lots more.
When my wife and I went sailing, we would often see whales. The local porpoises loved to ride the bow wave as we sailed along in a stiff breeze, sparkling as they leaped and frolicked. On our last trip before illness meant I had to sell the boat, we took a long holiday sailing the ocean along the coast. Sun and waves, the gentle flapping of sails, the sound of the bow as it sang through the water… absolutely lovely.
Whilst long-term serious illness means that I will likely never sail again, I feel that it was a great privilege to have once been able to sail the ocean currents in my own boat! Happy times!
“I am only working here until I have enough money to fix my boat and get back to sea. I sail because I want to get away from people, most of whom I cannot stand.” — comment from a yacht salesman who helped me find the boat of my dreams
