Issue 1 : June 1998
Not long ago I rifled through a rack of anniversary cards looking for the perfect sentiment for my sailor. In doing so, I noticed a couple of cards which made the point that we don’t have everything … a mansion, the newest car, a fancy sailing yacht … but honey we’ve got each other, so that’s enough. Etcetera.
It wasn’t the yacht concept tied in with mansions and expensive cars that sparked my interest, although good old boaters know you don’t have to be rich to be out there on the water. Rather, it was the illustrations accompanying these “yachts.” The sun was shining. The sky was blue. The water was lovely. The happy couple was dressed in the best nautical attire, whatever the artist decided that should be.
Then it struck me. They really don’t know, (do they?) — the artists, our coworkers, and the other non-sailors — that even fancy yachts experience rain, gales, and fog … possibly in equal proportions to the sunny days. They really don’t know, (do they?), that these fancy yachts break down, need cleaning, and require maintenance. . . perhaps also in proportion to the days spent in carefree bliss on the water.
They really don’t know, most of the folks out there vicariously sailing with us, that you have to love the entire concept: you have to enjoy keeping the boat seaworthy and livable … perhaps you do it for the memorable and beautiful days, but you must have foulweather gear at the ready and the ability to get the boat home in a storm.
They really don’t know and perhaps envy us unfairly for what looks glorious, stately, and serene when the other side of the coin is not quite as picturesque. Maybe instead they should envy us for what we get in return for the bottom paint splatters on our seaboots and the lazarettes full of tools: we get the confidence that comes with competence. We know we can fix our boats and — because we have done it — we know we can sail in adverse situations when we have to. We have gained the companionship of others who really do know what it’s like to own, care for, and sail a boat. We are part of a community of sailors, and there’s nowhere we’d really rather be.
The artists and the others can represent our hobby as an idyllic way of life, but we much prefer the reality.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
