It is written that time spent upon the water does not count against a mans time on Earth. anonymous
There is no time better spent than simply messing about in Boats Mr. Toad, Wind in the Willows
They say the two happiest days in a boat owners life are the day he buys the boat, and the day he sells it. True, but be careful what you wish for
It is with a great deal of relief that we sell Obsession, but also with great sadness. Obsession is our 1982 CAL 31 auxiliary sloop, berthed in Solomons, MD. In her life shes been all over the Chesapeake Bay, from Rock Hall, Annapolis, Deal, St. Michaels, St. Marys City, Oxford, and most of the creeks, rivers and bays thereabouts. She sails well on all points and motors easily at hull speed. Like all boats, she demands a degree of care and attention, but shes never let us down, and always brought us home.
Theres relief from financial burden (though a relatively small burden, as shes paid for), and it was always money well spent, but it is one less thing to have to watch out for and worry about at a time when we need to simplify our lives. Of course if youre a boater, watching out for your boat is what you do, and your worry about your boat the same way you worry about your kid or a family member. The watching was mostly a pleasure, and the worry was never a burden.
Between my blown-out knee and fused ankle, and Marcis ocular-vestibular problems, sailing is no longer a good choice for on-the-water leisure time activities.
Ive been sailing for 43 years now, maybe only a little less for Marci. And its not like well never go sailing again, but not having your own boat is hard. Our boat has taught us many things
- Pride & responsibility Its one thing Im always captain of (when Marci lets me)
- It builds (& demands) self-reliance and discipline
- It teaches respect of nature, it puts you in your place in the order of natural things, and then theres the beauty and awe that comes with those lessons
- It takes you places that others will not get to go to, to see things others dont get to see
- One finds harmony on the water
- Its an elegant way to travel, it gives you a new way to look at Time
- There are no atheists on the water it only takes one good storm for most people to find their Faith, and even if you dont believe in God, youll believe in your boat
- Humility After coming through one of those storms one learns to Thank you, Lord, for this opportunity to try my skills and not be found wanting, or, Thank you, Lord for this opportunity to test my skills and survive to take another lesson . . .
- Camaraderie weve met a lot of great people in our travels, and a few interesting critters, too. Boaters, sailors in particular, are like a lot of gunnies here they remember when they were on square one and are good about sharing and teaching
I am relieved that shes going to a good family who will learn to sail and treat her well. Theyre new to the water, and I have every confidence that Obsession will take care of them as she took care of us. Ill see that they are well acquainted before they go forth. We have visiting privileges.
Damn, man. I sold my boat today and I feel lower than whale poop.
Thanks for listening, I needed to get this out