Good luck charms

[Jammin jr]

I was just looking at some photos of the old Jammin from 1990 and noticed the small bag hanging from the bow pulpit. I had forgotten all about that. My brother told me it was a good luck charm but for the life of me I can't remember what was in it. He had one on every boat he ever owned.
Anyone know about this superstition and what was in the bag?

 

[SFS]

Was your brother a Bob Marley fan?

 

[Jammin jr]

Not that I know of. He hated land and spent his life on the ocean. He followed all nautical superstitions. I gave him guff about it from time to time. Even forcing him to leave port on a Friday. 30 minutes later we blew a head gasket. I never was forgiven!!!

 

[justsomeguy]

Anyone know about this superstition and what was in the bag?

Well, it's a superstition, that's for sure.
In light of such, could be just about anything in the bag. Bearings? Aggies and cat's eyes from his youth? His "mojo"?
Most likely a personal thing.

 

[jepomer]

My good luck charms consist solely of doing good maintenance and repairs, increasing knowledge, repeated practice. Never understood those who are superstitious.
— former Coast Guard
"Semper Paratus" — Always Ready

 

[Stu Jackson]

A good friend gave us a tiny "pirate's chest" with a Pay It Forward story it in it. Along with regular maintenance, it is always a nice thing to have.

Google Pay It Forward for examples.

 

[victorhoisington]

While good maintenance and repairs are keys to success as a boat owner, I also believe in the power of Poseidon, who along with Murphy tend to come along for may of my voyages. I try to keep up but, a boat by definition always has more projects than can be accomplished with available time or funds so, appeasing the gods and Murphy is my way of ensuring they don't break things before I can get time to fix them.

 

[Jammin jr]

Well my family are old school sailors. We had run fishing vessels out of Gloucester MA since the early 1700s up until the 1970s. My brother was the best boat handler I have ever seen. He piloted everything from cakes of soap in the bathtub all the way up to super tankers. He ran PBR boats and Mike boats in Vietnam under fire for 3 tours. He ran the pilot boat in San Diego for 5 years. His funeral was attended by 2 retired admirals that he ran luanches for in the Navy. I asked a simple question that I thought someone might know since sailors are a superstitious bunch as a general rule.

 

[jssailem]

While currently in the marina with a mast on the hard, I'm preparing for the coming sailing season. But even with a few good days to work on the boat, there is no way I can have all of my project list complete. It would take a stay in the marina for another year... maybe. But where is the fun in that? So, safety issues complete - check. Major creature comfort issues done - check. Primary and secondary maintenance items complete - check.
Let the lines loose. We are ready for inland/coastal adventure. We will get to the rest in due time.

 

[jssailem]

Jammin Jr, sorry for your loss. Sounds like your brother had a full and rich life experience.

After reading your query, I looked on line for some suggestion, as my Naval experience did not yield a definitive answer. The best I could identify is that it was likely something that was close to your brother. Talismans come in many forms - coins, hair, stones.. etc. All have an important element to the individual. Clearly the one chosen by your brother was effective for him as it brought him home from the sea.

Fair winds.

 

[Jammin jr]

I found it!!!!!! It was filled with garlic. Old Portuguese superstition to ward off bad juju!!!! Makes sense as we have a lot of Portuguese in the family.

 

[jssailem]

And no vampires....

 

[Jammin jr]

I'm downright bigoted against vampires!!! Who in the hell wants them on your boat?

 

[Jammin jr]

http://articles.latimes.com/2005/jun/14/news/os-banana14

It is in this. Bobby did fish tuna out of San Diego so that may be where he picked this up.

 

[PotomacDaysailer]

A bag on the bow pulpit reminded me, I read somewhere that it was considered lucky to nail a shark's tail to the bowsprit.

Most of my "knowledge" of nautical superstitions comes from Patrick O'Brian, particularly scratching backstays and whistling for wind. Never does seem to work when I'm becalmed, but there's often a delayed effect - 40 kt winds the next day.

 

[Jammin jr]

This is JAMMIN in Alaska back in the summer of 1990. Not sure if you can see the bag on the bow or not. We spent the summer sailing the inside passage up to Skagway.

 

[victorhoisington]

A full life both in reality as well as spiritually, the talismans we all gather on our journey have unique and special meanings. Most people never notice the small things we place around us to ward of evil, keep us safe and protect our loved ones from harm. Those that do, are special to us and having someone take the time to figure out the meaning is particularly special.

To me a sign of a full and well lived life is how those we touched during our short time on earth honor and remember us. Learning and understanding your brother's talisman's is a special honor to him and his life. He sounds like someone who lived a full and memorable life on this earth, remember him well may he RIP.

Victor

 

[Jammin jr]

And this is JAMMIN Jr. My tribute boat. It will have the same graphics on her by the time she is finished. She is smaller, but she is mine.

 

[Jammin jr]

This is another one of his boats. He bought the boat that very same day and caught this on his way home. Don't tell me about good and bad juju!!!
Bobby is the guy on the left. The garlic bag was put on the bow before the engines were even started!!!

 

[25yearslater]

One of my most reliable crew members is Portuguese. I will be asking him about this to verify the accuracy. Did your brother run the LCM8s or 6s? I loved the 8s with the four 8-71s.