We took sailing lessons at Annapolis Sailing School in Tampa Bay after we bought our first boat. We had a couple of different instructors and one of them was quite emphatic about not falling into habit of just ‘delivering the boat’.
Over the years we’ve pondered about what the heck that means. We wonder how we can cruise without delivering this boat. Isn’t that what cruising is all about? We choose a destination, figure out how the heck to get there and set off.
For the most part we tend to sail rather than motor when we travel. But there are plenty of times when the winds are nonexistent or from the wrong direction. It’s then that we douse the sails, start the motor and continue on our way. Do we like to do that? Please–we motor at 5-6 knots per hour. The noise from the engine cancels out all the sounds of the wind in the sails, the water rushing by and the waves slapping the hull.
Believe me there is no greater pleasure than turning off that motor and hearing the sweet sound of the water moving along the hull of the boat. It may be two knots or seven knots–it’s just wonderful!
What do other sailors do? Do they even think about this question? I wish I knew.
2 responses to “cruise 2010 Delivering the boat?”
Zen
July 26th, 2010 at 03:01
YEs we do!
Pat P
July 26th, 2010 at 17:00
Absolutely! We are reluctant to use our engine unless absolutely necessary, and then for the shortest time possible, for precisely the reasons you stated, along with a little pride: “We’re sailors!”. I was thinking about the comment “Deliver the Boat”….doesn’t it seem like another way of saying, enjoy the journey, it’s not just about reaching the destination? Something useful to remember in our lives in general, I think…I love your blog!