An enchanting ruse brings a wife on board
Issue 109 : Jul/Aug 2016
I’ve never chosen the right boat for me. I’ve always let the right boat choose me. In the November 2015 issue of Good Old Boat, I described how I found a 24-foot MacGregor Venture of Newport with a 4-foot bowsprit and three headsails sitting on her trailer in the middle of a cornfield. She’d been there for years, and the owner told me I could have her for a song if I could haul her out. I hitched her up to my Toyota 4Runner and started singing. Who could resist a challenge like that? The boat that became Frankly Scarlett had chosen me as the right person to get her out of that field.
However, one does not just haul a boat out of a cornfield and put it in the water. She sat on my driveway as I began to work on her. My wife, Jacqueline, was less than thrilled. It was her driveway too. Day after day, Frankly Scarlett sat there. We drove around her as I stripped her brightwork, sanded her hull, cleaned her interior, and did a thousand other chores.
The day I put her back in the water was a great day for both of us. For me because I could finally go sailing, and for Jacqueline because she finally had that unsightly thing off our driveway. That summer, as well as sailing Frankly Scarlett, I enjoyed the return of marital bliss.
Several years later, I rented a berth at Highland Yacht Club, just outside Toronto, with the option of joining. Frankly Scarlett and I happily dwelt there enjoying great sailing and warm summer days at the dock. Right beside us was a friendly old sailor who had a Grampian 30 named Affinity. I helped him with a few projects and was impressed with the diligence and attention to detail with which he maintained his boat. These were no doubt traits that had served him well in his career as a tool and die maker.
One day, Affinity’s owner said he was getting too old to sail and wanted to sell her. He’d let me have her for a very good price because he knew I’d take care of her. I laughed, thinking about storing Frankly Scarlett on our driveway once again while I tried to find a buyer for her.
“I’d love to,” I told him, “but I’m afraid it would cost me my marriage.”
“Well . . . you just leave that to me,” he said. “Have your wife down here at 8 o’clock.”
Somehow, I enticed Jacqueline down to the club. A soft glow flickered from Affinity’ s curtained windows. Gentle soothing music drifted from the companionway, beckoning us closer. I called out. Hearing no response, I stepped into the cockpit, turned, and offered Jacqueline my hand to bring her aboard.
“I guess he’s not here,” I said.
Jacqueline bent forward to peer below. The upholstery had all been cleaned, the woodwork was polished, and the hardwood cabin sole was waxed and gleaming. To starboard, the expansive settee was set off with silken throw pillows. Forward, the V-berth was made up with two fluffy pillows and a thick warm quilt. To port, the table was set for two with placemats to match the upholstery, fine china, sparkling silverware, and crystal wine glasses. Music swirled romantically, soft flames danced from two bulkhead-mounted brass lanterns . . . and Jacqueline sighed audibly, “Maybe he’s expecting someone.”
“Probably,” I speculated. “He’s trying to sell it.”
“It’s for sale?”
“Actually, he’ll give it to me for thousands less than he can get from someone else.”
“So . . . like. . . it’s on sale.” She turned to face me, her beautiful brown eyes shining.
“Yeah. But the club rule is you can only have one boat in the water. I’d have to put Frankly Scarlett on the driveway until I sold her.”
“But it wouldn’t be on the driveway long,” she said optimistically.
“Oh no. I’ll find a buyer for Scarlett in no time,” I lied like a sleazy politician.
“Well then . . . maybe you should . . . I mean, if this boat’s on sale.”
Jacqueline looked below dreamily. Once again, a boat had chosen me . . . with a little help from that crafty old sailor.
Don Davies, after a lengthy career as an advertising copywriter, marketing consultant, and speechwriter, turned his attention to film scripts, novels, magazine articles, and grandchildren. He lives with his wife, Jacqueline, in Toronto and sails his good old Grampian 30 on Lake Ontario. His website is www.dbdavies.com. Don’s grand-daughter, Katerina Davies, created the illustration.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
