Defining Moment - Now I'm a Sailor

[chappyonice]

It would be interesting to hear about more sailor's "defining moments"...especially some of you old salts out there!

[BarryL]

Hello,

Nice story and good for you!! You will never forget that sailing day. However, don't become over confident (it doesn't seem like you are, but still....). Mother Nature never runs out of surprises.

I like the way you wrote to "trust Firefly and what she was telling me by her movements." That is a very astute observation. You need to trust the boat (and yourself) in order to sail in challenging conditions. Sailing in those conditions will make you a better sailor.

Keep it up and enjoy the boat.

Barry

[sailingdog]

Speaking of Firefly...I always like Malcolm Reynolds quote from Serenity, the Firefly movie... paraphrased to suite a sea-going vessel:

You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.

[sailaway21]

Good on ya, Todd.

I'm glad to see your son is an integral part of the adventure. He's at a good age to learn sailing. He's big enough that you do not regard him as a passenger, having to worry overly about him, and he can bear a hand. He'll learn skills that will stay with him, even as his life becomes more hectic with other activities, and will always be able to step right on board with confidence. I am a huge believer in providing challenging activities for boys at the age when they enter puberty. Boy Scouts, etc... They've got a ton of emotions, coupled with endless energy, to deal with in those years. If he takes a hanker for sailing, it is something he can really sink his teeth into.

Sounds like you're still grinning! The best sailors never grow over confident. They have no idea which lesson they have not yet learned, but are sure there is one or two more waiting for them. Always asking, "what if..." is not a bad philosophy. Keep us updated.

[chappyonice]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Speaking of Firefly...I always like Malcolm Reynolds quote from Serenity, the Firefly movie... paraphrased to suite a sea-going vessel:

SD, the show was the insiration for the boat's name. My son, daughter, and I are (were ) big fans.

Both kids are going to sailing camp for 2 weeks in Youngstown, NY in August. My daughter will work on Prams for 1/2 day and my son on C&C Nutshells for full days. They're pretty charged up about it.

Thanks for all the comments and advice. I definitely know what you mean by not getting overconfident. Each time out is a learning experience in its own. I actually have a "what we learned today" section in my ship's log.

[calmtoday28]

Congratulations, chappyonice, sounds like you had a great time!

Andy

[sonofasonofasailer456]

well I quess if running aground twice makes you a sailer then I did it on my maiden voyage with My Maria, I was all full of myself and showing off, sailing into the Merrimac with a west south west wind caught the sand off coast guard cove slipped off, no problem, then got up to the 13 can went a little too far and grounded on the mussel bed off Wood Bridge, then I got a little well excited yelling at the first mate (my bad) to do this and that while I was in the water pushing, well we got off with a brused ego. And lot's of appologies

[bestfriend]

My son became a sailor today...

[denby]

Originally Posted by bestfriend

My son became a sailor today...

Bestfreind, it's a good thing you don't live in Connecticut. It's agents the law for me to give my 20 year a drink even in my own home.

Dennis

[southerncross31]

I have a feeling your a pretty cool dad My son is only 3 (daughter 6 too) but were headed down in the AM to take the SC out....their first time!!! I think sailing is fading from society and it is really important to get the kids out there. Of course its a 2 1/2 hour drive to the boat for us (with the kids screaming the whole way) But soooo worth it.