Here's my story: My husband and his best friends planned a charter boat trip as a family vacation this past summer. I was petrified and nearly had to be dragged aboard. The Sailing with Kids and herSailnet forums were so very helpful to me then, I read every thread as I packed and prepared for the trip.
It's funny to remember, I was so frightened of everything, I huddled below deck for the first day and a half, clutching the life jacketed baby, slipping dramamine to everyone who would let me..
Well, that didn't last long.
How could it? The crystal water, sun and wind, more stars than I had ever seen.. I'm addicted, so here I am.
Even before the trip, I was attracted to the simplicity of living aboard, keeping no possession that doesn't serve you, shaking off the pressure to acquire more and more worthless stuff.. I was unprepared though for how much the environment would suit me, for the physical and mental changes which come from being so close to nature at her most elegant.
So now I'm looking to develop my skills and get back out there. I've had basic dinghy-sailing instruction, years ago. My husband thinks that we should get "ASA-certified". What I really want to learn, though, is how to be completely self-reliant on board. I harbor a secret desire to occasionally sail solo, but as the mother of two young kids I shudder to think of the mountain of laundry and dishes which would be waiting for me when I get back.
Emergency repairs, maintenance, navigation, do they teach those things in classes, or do I need to figure them out on my own? I've been reading constantly, thanks to friends with excellent taste in sailing literature, but my hands are aching to get to work.
Thanks all for the help in the past, and for accepting me into this community. Love to all of you,
dawn
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