Dark Days

capta · Jul 11, 2021

Back when, my friend David and I had access to a 35 or so foot Cigarette. On the calm summer days, that puts St. Martin about an hour and a half away from St. T. Tie up at Bobby's Marina, lunch and an hour or two in the casino and back home before dinner time.
Times have changed. Bobby has been knighted and is now a Sir, David has passed and nobody is loaning me a Cigarette to go for joy rides on.

DArcy · Jul 11, 2021

About 12 or 13 years ago I was racing on my wife's uncle's Pearson 30 Flyer at CORK, a regatta in Kingston, ON. We spent several days sailing around the buoys, going slow and having fun. On the last day of the regatta the uncle's buddy showed up in his Fountain, I think it was a 32'. We hopped on the Fountain and went to Brockville, about 45 miles down the St. Lawrence, where he had left the trailer. In less than an hour we went almost as far as we had gone in the last 5 days.
I have to say, I like sailing better and not just because of the cost of the fuel he burned through.

justsomeguy · Jul 11, 2021

jssailem said:
@justsomeguy - Sky Warrior? or modern cartel member able to leap fences in a single swoosh...?

A demonstration of air superiority at an air show in France.
Pretty cool.

Leeward Rail · Jul 12, 2021

jssailem said:
A bit like having a drag racer in your garage?

Very good analogy.
I am a fan of motorsports, but drag racing in a straight line for a 1/4 mile bores me as a spectator and the few times I have been a driver. Flying down a road in the bush in a rally car ? Awesome. Simple speed without some other factors gets boring fast IMO.

Given the similarities between street racers and some PWC owners, i have always felt there is some similar mental factors involved in regards to their enjoyment.

Leeward Rail · Jul 12, 2021

dLj said:
I guess as sailors we tend to have accepted 6 or so knots as a perfectly fine way to go from place to place.

That's the thing.

If the destination is the thing, then speed is important.
OTOH, if a mental challenge, and the journey is important, then speed can be a detriment.

Having driven through the rockies many many times, and also having done it on a bicycle... I much prefer the bicycle.

And I am a gearhead, rally racing team member who owns multiple motorcycles and trucks and cars... (Oh my!) Hehe

Each to their own I guess.. But any time I have rented a PWC, I am bored before the rental period is over. (Admittedly fun for a short time)

I regards to behavior..
When I see a PWC I unfortunately now assume the operator is a wanker. Until proven otherwise.

Scott T-Bird · Jul 12, 2021

jeepbluetj said:
Oh well. The acronym SWMBO exists for a reason.

Not knowing exactly what this acronym means (I'll admit that I hate acronyms generally), I came up with my own before looking this up. It's surprising how related - (juxtaposed actually) both interpretations may be:

From google: "She Who Must Be Obeyed"
What I thought it might mean: "Single White Male Boat Owner"

Roland5048 · Jul 12, 2021

While the jet skiers aren't really a problem for us sailors here on the GOM, they are a problem when trying to fish a quiet mangrove shoreline. So, I came up with a new sport: Jet Skeet. You only need a flare gun, flares, and the ability to know how far to lead them. Let the fun begin!

Thaniel · Jul 12, 2021

rgranger said:
My wife recently told me she would like us to get jet skis.

Has she tried them? They looked like fun to me but my brother brought two of his up for a weekend. They were surprisingly really unstable when not moving. And getting back on it after falling off in deep water is not fun at all. Neither me or the wife wanted to spend money on them after the day with them.

Stu Jackson · Jul 12, 2021

Thaniel said:
Has she tried them? They looked like fun to me but my brother brought two of his up for a weekend. They were surprisingly really unstable when not moving. And getting back on it after falling off in deep water is not fun at all.

They are also dimensionally unstable when moving, they simply slide around turns. I agree with those who find them quickly boring. We tried one in Mexico during a Xmas vacation. Even my son who likes speed was quickly bored. Me? I was quickly frightened!

PaulK · Jul 12, 2021

Roland5048 said:
While the jet skiers aren't really a problem for us sailors here on the GOM, they are a problem when trying to fish a quiet mangrove shoreline. So, I came up with a new sport: Jet Skeet. You only need a flare gun, flares, and the ability to know how far to lead them. Let the fun begin!

Did you see the link on my first post in this thread?

Roland5048 · Jul 12, 2021

PaulK said:
Did you see the link on my first post in this thread?

Yes, I like that. Not quite as sporting, however.

Leeward Rail · Jul 13, 2021

Roland5048 said:
Yes, I like that. Not quite as sporting, however.

The flares allow better plausible deniability.

"Officer I was just firing a flare(s) to indicate distress."

Admiral · Jul 13, 2021

I have bought and owned many sitdowns and each time I sell them and move on. However my standup I still own and use it regularly. Old school!

It is a lot of fun and is a challenge. I like to let the young bucks give it a try and at my age I still show them up. That makes it worth it.

RoyS · Jul 14, 2021

Tell the wife you have your heart set instead on buying two horses. Let the arguments begin. Finally reach a compromise of not buying either and go back to sailing. Diplomacy.

jssailem · Jul 14, 2021

Lucky You . @rgranger

Scott T-Bird · Jul 14, 2021

rgranger said:
That might work except I have three daughters and a six acre field with natural water. The girls might side with me and I end up with horses and jet skis !!!!!

Might!?!? You have to be kidding. What girls don't love horses? Your wife might jump all over that idea as well. If you think boats are expensive and complicated ... you'd be in for a shock.

When I was a kid, my grandparents owned a summer cottage on a lake and a farm. While I badgered my poor dad relentlessly for a ski boat, my mom and sister would not let up on the idea of having horses. By far, the ski boat was the more economical and easier acquisition. While the temperament of the ski boat never changed, horses are a far different matter. We had a Palomino Quarter Horse and an Appaloosa. Over the course of a few years, we learned that without regular and consistent interaction with the horses, they inevitably became barn spoiled. Our Palomino was a big horse and it didn't take long before he was intimidating. The Appaloosa was smaller and sweeter, but a little bit more lively to ride. After a while, only my dad and I enjoyed riding the horses because we were quite a bit more stern with the horses. My mom & sister couldn't quite control the horses when they turned towards the barn. I learned not to trust that Palomino. One time when I was removing the tackle, I was between the horse and a corral rail. The horse started to lean on me and pressed my back against the rail like a vice. For a second, it felt like I wasn't going to get a breath. I was only about 13 or 14 at the time and I punched the horse on the side of the face, which got me just enough relief to slip under the rail. It seemed that the horse was always getting more difficult and testing frequently. It was surely a sign of disrespect that went both ways. We only saw the horses on weekends, and with other activities it wasn't even regular at that. My dad wanted ranching to be his occupation after early retirement and I think he liked the idea of owning horses, but we found out what a trap that can be!

dLj · Jul 14, 2021

rgranger said:
There you go.... I don't really want either.

I'm thinking of down sizing from my H26 which is what got my wife thinking... but I' think I'd rather go WAY down on the complication spectrum and get something like this...

Triak

Trimaran Regular readers of my reviews know I like small boats. I think it's much easier Catsup,Perry on Design

sailingmagazine.net

View attachment 196224

I found a used one for sale not far away and the current owner says he rugularly cruises at 10 kts. That sounds fun to me.

I just sold my Windrider 17, a lovely trimaran that consistently cruised upwards of 10 knots. I believe my top speed on one trip was more like pushing 20 knots. It's a long time ago now, but man talk about a fun boat! I've not sailed the one you've mentioned, but there are a number of these small multihulls that are just wonderful to sail!

dj

Dark Days

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Attachments

.