Today's pursuit race featured a reaching start in 4-6 knots. I quickly yielded the helm to Trophy Wife and adjourned to the forward end of the lee rail. That's my traditional seat in drifting matches.
From there I occupied myself with watching the electronic wind guide, which cannot be observed by the after guard. And with photography. It was hard work. But I was . . . relaxed about it. Today, I did not bother to communicate back to the helm my observations everytime I noticed pinching. There weren't many, because TW was doing a very credible job keeping Das Boot on her feet.
In the past, whenever I have offered comments from the foredeck, I've been offered Pringles or beer to shut me up. Or, even worse, offered to take the wheel back!
The truth is, I have finally learned that in 5+- knots of wind, that nothing much matters other than being afloat with friends; victory at sea is simply not in the picture. The only thing that matters is trying to pass other boats, especially lighter boats. That's got to be more fun than . . . . fishing? It's the combined effort that counts almost as much as a shared victory.
There can only be six degrees of separation between the two.
From there I occupied myself with watching the electronic wind guide, which cannot be observed by the after guard. And with photography. It was hard work. But I was . . . relaxed about it. Today, I did not bother to communicate back to the helm my observations everytime I noticed pinching. There weren't many, because TW was doing a very credible job keeping Das Boot on her feet.
In the past, whenever I have offered comments from the foredeck, I've been offered Pringles or beer to shut me up. Or, even worse, offered to take the wheel back!
The truth is, I have finally learned that in 5+- knots of wind, that nothing much matters other than being afloat with friends; victory at sea is simply not in the picture. The only thing that matters is trying to pass other boats, especially lighter boats. That's got to be more fun than . . . . fishing? It's the combined effort that counts almost as much as a shared victory.
There can only be six degrees of separation between the two.
Kipling:
ReplyDeleteIf you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a man, my son!
"...nothing much matters other than being afloat with friends..."
ReplyDeleteCan't agree more!
Yes, Melt. We all live our separate lives in divergent journeys. That a few of us can converge frequently for a few hours of healing on the water is a miracle.
Delete