Fight Club____for Sailors

[sailingdog]

I'd also add the following three books to the reading list.

Return to the Sea, On a Single Wave, and Storm Passage: Alone Around Cape Horn by Webb Chiles.

[Surfesq]

Wow! That must have been one heck of a time trying to the spinaker to release. It was heavy out there.

[Surfesq]

Looks like light winds out of South at 10 Knots for this weekend. I am heading south of course to deliver a boat for friends to Crisfield. Could be a lot of motoring.

[richfriend]

[Careful there HelloSailor, some of us were sailors long we started bottom feeding. Nothing like a few ad hominum attacks by a brother lawyer to make one wish he was a previously owned motor vehicle salesperson instead (note the gender nuetral, politically correct termminology). To Surfesq I would suggest that perhaps you should singlehand a Laser across the Atlantic and then afterwards tell us what a thrill it was. If its pure speed you want, you better get your rum soaked posterior out of that keel boat into something that rides on top of the water. No matter how far you bury your rail you will not approach the speed or thrill of a lightweight trapeeze planing hull. Having sailed most every kind of boat from dinghy racing in the ocean to large keel boats (and a sand boat and ice boat or two), each of us finds that relationship with the water that makes us happy. Having survived being overboard with broken ribs while waiting for my unattended boat to circle I realize that the ocean inevitably wins those contests. I have no qualms about pushing my boat to the limits but see no purpose on doing it to demonstrate that my cahones are still attached in their proper location.

BTW now that we have learned the history of rum/grog/glog why not provide a dissertaion on brass monkeys and cannonballs.

I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather,
rather than screaming in terror, like his passengers.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by richfriend

I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather,
rather than screaming in terror, like his passengers.

LOL... What was he driving? Not a school bus I hope.

[CharlieCobra]

I think that was originally a Pilot's quote.

[Surfesq]

Hi Richfriend.

Yes, I have sailed pretty much every kind of boat as well. I grew up on the water, fishing surfing and sailing. I still own a Hobie Cat 16, and old lightning. So I still get out there and get off on the fast little boats. I don't race quite as often as I used to just because of time factors.
But I also enjoy pushing my own limits and testing the limits of my cruising boat. Yes it doesn't feel as fast but it's big and that has its own rewards and challenges.
I think if you have read this thread you would see that I have celebrated everyone's experience in sailing from J's to Catalina 27s. The point is who cares what kind of boat you are on just have fun with it. That is the spirit of this thread. Don't lose what brought you to sailing. Having fun and finding your limits.
It's not about proving you have stones. You have stones because you sail Rich. You already have won that debate just by getting out in the water.

(Don't assume that just because I have a love for all things sailing, including Rum, that I am a fat-arss).

And one other thing Rich. Not a criticism, just an observation. I noticed you ended up in the drink while apparently singlehanding out in the ocean. Do you really think you are in a position to lecture anyone on safe sailing? Just a thought. For me, I can't imagine sailing in the Ocean single handed without a harness. But that is just me.

[Surfesq]

By the way Rich are you saying that you have bigger stones than me because you fell off your boat? I am confused by your point.
As for brass balls, without looking it up. I think it has to do with heat. Didn't American sailors in the 1800's or something like that say, "It's hot enough to melt the face off a brass monkey?" I think I read that somewhere.

Sailing Dog: I picked up the Webb Chilies book at lunchtime. I am looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the tip!

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by Surfesq

Sailing Dog: I picked up the Webb Chilies book at lunchtime. I am looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the tip!

Glad to point them out, as Webb is a friend of mine.

I think you'll enjoy it, which one did you get?

No one can say that Webb isn't a sailor—anyone who can sail a 18' Drascombe Lugger, an open boat with no head, cabin or galley, most of the way around the world is most definitely a sailor's sailor.

[toddrtownsend]

Originally Posted by Surfesq

By the way Rich are you saying that you have bigger stones than me because you fell off your boat? I am confused by your point.
As for brass balls, without looking it up. I think it has to do with heat. Didn't American sailors in the 1800's or something like that say, "It's hot enough to melt the face off a brass monkey?" I think I read that somewhere.

Actually, it is the opposite; at least the way I heard it. A brass monkey was the frame that was at the bottom of the pyramid of cannonballs stored on deck on an old squarerigger. When it got cold enough, the brass would actually contract enough to pop the cannonballs out of their rest and roll across the deck. That way, you "froze the balls off a brass monkey."


Also, the first of four boats I owned was an old Chrysler Mutineer daysailor. I liked hanging off the rail and seeing the centerboard ghosting under the water. Does that qualify?

In fact, once on Sarasoata Bay, I thought I hit a turtle, but it was actually the centerboard breaking off at the hull from the stress.

My dad and I bought the Mutineer about 1979 for $1500. I tore the centerboard trunk apart and glassed the centerboard back together and sold it to a Scotsman for $500 about 1994.

TrT