I'm not talking tug, dive, excursion or fishing boats.
Instead, I'm talking boats which are intimately connected with whatever work we do. Like boats we own which are proverbial holes in the water into which we pour dollar$ require us to work longer hours, limiting hours we could otherwise spend on the water. Or boats which we don't own but just lust after owning, while we are spending long hours in the office.
Most especially the latter.
Every morning, at first light, as I roll out of the port side of the bed, I'm thinking I am having one more of those OPB Days. Other People's Boats. At that hour of the day I'm just so thankful of the prospect of having another day in an upright and vertical position, that I am not adding aspirations to actually own boat(s) any longer. The nice thing about sailing OPB is the slip fees go away, along with the need to postpone retirement. Sailing OPB, I can learn more about sailing and racing than I can learn on Das Boot. (Who's taught me tons!) That's not only because of the different characteristics of an unfamiliar yacht, but also I can benefit from learning from different skilled crews. Sailing OPB comes out on top because of its cost-benefit ratio alone.
But even then, with my first cup of java, I understand that the OPB day will morph into a different kind of day as the hours drift by. The images pass by my eyes like inevitable way points as I make my passage through the day. First, usually, comes the prospect of MSB (My Son's Boat). Should I borrow his 20-foot keel racer for two years of one-design racing? Lots to learn from the bottom of the fleet there! I'd really have to go back to school in this daydream. And opportunities would abound to go for those magical light wind morning practice sails I've always said I've wanted to do.
The sequence of the day's waypoints vary. Some days the prospect of an Alerion-28 sails by my mid-morning desk. How nice it would be to have such a 'social' and graceful racer grace my slip! I could actually race with novices and not worry about their comfort as I introduced them to my sport and passion. On my Alerion, Trophy Wife and even Doberwoman could accompany me in evening cocktail sails. Oh yes!
Ultimately, my bucket boat shows up right around lunch with a question: am I still young enough to sail a Wyliecat-30? On the Central Coast? There's Wyliecat for sale in the Bay area by an owner who's a year younger than I. But that's in San Francisco. Around the bouys in my waters? It could be a dreamboat. But it's very pricey!
By the time I'm packing up to go home, an old friend arrives at my desk. Das Boot. The boat I have and know. Semper Fi. And can afford. Somewhat. As soon as Diesel Guy gets through, Das Boot and I can grow another crew together. That will be excitement enough for this ol' man!
Instead, I'm talking boats which are intimately connected with whatever work we do. Like boats we own which are proverbial holes in the water into which we pour dollar$ require us to work longer hours, limiting hours we could otherwise spend on the water. Or boats which we don't own but just lust after owning, while we are spending long hours in the office.Most especially the latter.
Every morning, at first light, as I roll out of the port side of the bed, I'm thinking I am having one more of those OPB Days. Other People's Boats. At that hour of the day I'm just so thankful of the prospect of having another day in an upright and vertical position, that I am not adding aspirations to actually own boat(s) any longer. The nice thing about sailing OPB is the slip fees go away, along with the need to postpone retirement. Sailing OPB, I can learn more about sailing and racing than I can learn on Das Boot. (Who's taught me tons!) That's not only because of the different characteristics of an unfamiliar yacht, but also I can benefit from learning from different skilled crews. Sailing OPB comes out on top because of its cost-benefit ratio alone.
But even then, with my first cup of java, I understand that the OPB day will morph into a different kind of day as the hours drift by. The images pass by my eyes like inevitable way points as I make my passage through the day. First, usually, comes the prospect of MSB (My Son's Boat). Should I borrow his 20-foot keel racer for two years of one-design racing? Lots to learn from the bottom of the fleet there! I'd really have to go back to school in this daydream. And opportunities would abound to go for those magical light wind morning practice sails I've always said I've wanted to do.
The sequence of the day's waypoints vary. Some days the prospect of an Alerion-28 sails by my mid-morning desk. How nice it would be to have such a 'social' and graceful racer grace my slip! I could actually race with novices and not worry about their comfort as I introduced them to my sport and passion. On my Alerion, Trophy Wife and even Doberwoman could accompany me in evening cocktail sails. Oh yes!
Ultimately, my bucket boat shows up right around lunch with a question: am I still young enough to sail a Wyliecat-30? On the Central Coast? There's Wyliecat for sale in the Bay area by an owner who's a year younger than I. But that's in San Francisco. Around the bouys in my waters? It could be a dreamboat. But it's very pricey!
By the time I'm packing up to go home, an old friend arrives at my desk. Das Boot. The boat I have and know. Semper Fi. And can afford. Somewhat. As soon as Diesel Guy gets through, Das Boot and I can grow another crew together. That will be excitement enough for this ol' man!
Yes. The first priority for a sailor is to stay buoyant. And the second obligation is to stay solvent. Wait! Do I have them reversed?
ReplyDeleteDon't expect me, of all people, to take a position on this.
DeleteHey, how's that ankle?
ReplyDeleteI'm not foaming at the mouth yet, but I am dizzy in the mornings. Is that 'diagnostic'?
Deletelol. They say if you can't stand to get wet, you're in trouble... I doubt you're in the danger zone... :)
DeleteThat guy on the left, in the blue shirt is familiar, maybe he's the guy sitting in my office.
ReplyDeleteMarine services are totally dependent on workboats because most of the time marine service is spent on boats and workboats. Maintained boats will always give you the best support.
ReplyDeleteMarine Services dependant on Workboats