CRUISING ADVENTURES AND GUNK HOLING IN SMALL SAILBOATS 4
Article By Richard Frye
Part 4 of the series: Backpacking On The Water
The wind began to die a little and sea conditions became milder as Sea Mistress sliced through the white tipped waves with a little bounce. It was still choppy but much smoother now and I noticed there was also a change in wind direction. Now coming in dead from the east at around 12 to 15 mph, sailing became even more pleasant and Sea Mistress bore a hard straight course on the run for a couple of miles and about 100 yards from the entrance. A 2-1/2 hour sailing adventure was coming to a close. Claude came about, doing a quick 180 and we luffed and hove to for a few minutes while I hauled down the main sail, and secured it neatly to the boom with some of the elastic toggle sail ties I'd made.
Since the entrance was wide enough without the main sail sticking out to grab tree limbs, we entered the estuary under the jib, and about three quarters of the way we lost most of our wind. The jib flapped softly, but we still had enough momentum to take us well into the lagoon and within 30 seconds or so a mild breeze filled the jib again and took Sea Mistress right to Claude's dock with me at the helm! A two and a half hour sail that would always be remembered and impressive right to the end as Claude witnessed me sailing right up to his dock without power! Claude had put the Sea Mistress through about every maneuver you could think of, and was more than impressed at her quick response, no matter what the command! He said, "I'd never do that for fear I'd run over everything and everybody!" He laughed and said, "With my luck a gale would hit at that time and I would be moored on my back porch or even worse! In the kitchen with Dottie! I laughed myself and I said, "One day you'll find out that a boat like this can do a lot of things that the big ketch couldn't do! I jumped out and quickly tied the boat at the bow and Claude secured the stern line. The veteran cruising sailor looked up at the sky and said, "We have some storms coming late this evening, you might want to put on some spring lines." which is what we did before leaving the dock. Claude's experience as a sailor showed when he gazed into the sky and the many years of cruising taught him observation skills that can only be learned with time! "It will be coming from the southwest after a while." And when we entered the back door of his porch we could hear the television blasting out a severe weather warning. Heavy storms were sweeping the Southern part of the United States and moving eastward at 30 mph with winds gusting to 60 mph! He looked back at me and said, "See what I mean? It's going to be a rough night. This little lagoon is a good sheltered area in most bad weather conditions! The main reason we moved here!"
He greeted Dorothy with a peck on the cheek as she stood in front of her stove. The chicken was on the bar-b-q grill and according to her would be ready long before the storm hit. Fresh lima beans and baked sweet potatoes complimented a king’s feast! Dessert was peach cobbler, and yes, the peaches grown in the state and about as fresh as you could obtain from a local produce market.
After that affectionate kiss on the cheek, Dorothy looked over her shoulder as he turned and motioned for me to have a seat at the table and asked her husband, “Well? How was your sailing adventure? Did you discover a mysterious island in uncharted waters?" then laughed while observing that he had a twinkle in his eye that she hadn't see in a long time. He smiled and said, "As a matter of fact I did discover something! Yes indeed my dear! I did, I did! We should get a boat like this young man has! It's like a big daysailer that you would certainly enjoy!" "Oh?" she remarked! "Yes my dear! There is no doubt in my mind, and after this storm passes, and if I can coax this wandering lad into stay a while longer, maybe you can see for yourself as to why we should get one and enjoy our retirement even more!" He paused slightly and then said, "The pram is perfect for tending traps and a pleasant very slow sail around the lagoon, and on rare occasions, sometimes outside. The catamaran is a super-fast racing machine, and is a lot of fun, but we are getting older and she's not used much anymore. Now, tell me. When was the last time you've gone sailing? I think it was about 3 months ago when we ventured outside the lagoon, and although it was a day when the wind and sea were mild and we still got caught a mile offshore in a quick rain and home dripping wet and cold to the bone!" She smiled and agreed, "Oh...yes! I remember and won't forget it either!"
He looked at me with a questionable expression. I said without thinking, "Well, I don't have any pending appointments!" It was settled! As soon as the storm passed she would sail with us.
Smoke filled aroma permeated the air with mouthwatering flavors of the chicken being grilled slowly over the hickory chunks of wood being added to the charcoal. Dottie lovingly basted the meat with a tangy special sauce of her own. She said she had always done that since she was a learner in her mom’s kitchen, and everyone loved her BBQ'd chicken! The beans had simmered on her stove from early morning and were seasoned with lean smoked ham and the sweet potatoes were about ready to come out of her oven.
Claude and I walked back down to his dock and started asking questions about my sailboat. The first thing he asked about was her empty weight and trailering possibilities. I told him she weighed a mere 1200 pounds empty, and could be towed by just about any car or pickup truck. Next he wanted to know about her draft. I answered, "She is pulling 12" with the board up and about 5'6" with the board all the way down, and the keel weight is about 400 pounds." Next he was asking about the sails, and since he was also a cruiser he didn't dwell but a second on a spinnaker. A cruising boat just didn't call for that unless it was a certain situations but that sail was for downwind use, especially in races, if winds were light, I did use my genoa. I stepped on board and entered the cabin while he sat in the cockpit, and I handed out to him a package of photographs that I had recently picked up at drug store for developing before I set out on my journey. One showed Sea Mistress on her trailer, and several more showed her beached in a well-protected areas with a bow line stretched to the sand dunes and secured to an old but sturdy stump from a tree, and I erected a tent shown in the background in one of the photographs. This was a place that I often explored and collected odd shaped driftwood pieces for making various objects to sell or decorate my own little cottage. Ironically my secret place was not all that far from where Claude and Dottie lived! It was no longer a secret now! I finally had to tell him that it was across the sound on the backside of Jekyll Island!
He was pleased and asked, "Can we keep these out for a while? I'd like very much for Dottie to see these?" "Sure!" I said as I closed the hatch and stepped back onto his dock.
Suddenly we were interrupted by the clanging of a ships bell that hung just outside his porch door! He looked at me and smiled. "She always does that at dinner time when we have company!" He smiled, "Let's go eat!"
There is no need to explain how delicious the meal was! Just let your imagination take over! But I can tell you that is was nothing other than fantastic! After dinner we sat in his living room and we more or less watched the latest news and weather forecast and waited for the storm. Claude informed me that I would use their spare bedroom tonight and there was no argument about that! But I did have to get to the boat and grab my overnight bag with the necessary toiletries, a change of clothing, and my own towel. I hated to impose on people even if I was invited into their home but I still preferred my personal towel and wash cloth. Once that was done, Claude asked Dottie to sit on the sofa beside him as he turned on a lamp so she could see the pictures better. He didn't say a word, but just showed them to her one by one. She didn't say anything, but I could tell that both of their minds were working together. Often she nodded, and now and then raised an eyebrow.
In a few moments, she said, "I am impressed and I think I will agree with you! We could have wonderful and enjoyable trips on a boat like this!" To my surprise, she also liked gunk holing and exploring new places but since they sold the ketch, that opportunity was also gone. Now the possibility was there again, and Claude was acquainted with most of the dealers and marinas in the area that sold new and used boats so he decided that we...meaning all three of us should visit these places and do some investigating.
Bad weather was going to be around for a few days but not bad enough to keep us from looking at boats. I was shown the spare bedroom and slept well most of the night as I listened to the rain pounding the roof, and rumbles of thunder in the distance. Waking up at daylight was normal for me and after dressing quickly I went to the back porch to check on Sea Mistress. She was fine and bobbed lazily at the lock as the rain continued to come down in sheets! Soon they were up and Dorothy was preparing breakfast for all. Coffee first, then a round of pancakes and bacon with real maple syrup from Vermont! A wonderful glass of orange juice squeezed from Florida oranges topped it off! There is nothing like fresh food!
By 10 am the rain had slackened, and Claude said, "Let' load up and get over to the marina." It was a short drive, and soon we were looking at a huge fleet of sailboats of every size you can imagine from tiny 7 foot prams to a beautiful 60 foot schooner that was also up for sale. Claude knew most of the people there and told them what he was interested in while Dottie waited in the car out of the rain. Salesman whose name was John stuck in my mind for only a few minutes. He didn't look like a John to me! Anyway, the salesman guided Claude over to an almost new Venture 21 like mine. The boat was a couple of years newer without any changes to the boat as far as I could tell. The rain eased up and stopped for a while and at that time Claude took the opportunity to climb up a step ladder and check out the cockpit as well as the cabin. I waited while he inspected the sailboat and had a casual conversation with the salesman. He informed me that he had just moved to the area during the past year from a small town in New Jersey, and grew up learning to sail in the Delaware Bay area. He let me know quickly that he preferred a warmer climate!
Claude came down the ladder with a smile while I was looking at another boat. He spoke briefly to the salesman and shook his hand firmly then motioned for me to come along! He was well ahead of me and seemed excited to get back to the car and tell Dorothy about this boat. I was right! As I opened the car door to get inside he was explaining everything to her, and it seemed he had also struck a deal with this salesman to hold the boat for a few days.
He then turned to me and confirmed my thoughts. "I told John to put that boat on hold for me for a few days. He said he would with no problem! These are nice people here and I like to deal with them but haven't been here in a very long time. They will give you a fair deal and have built a good reputation amongst the locals here for many years." He continued to talk with Dottie all the way back to their home and was very excited. He went straight to the television to check out the weather for the next few days but it wasn't airing yet! When I looked around he was calling the Coast Guard Station to get an update on the weather as they generally had information long before the television or radio stations acquired it. After a few minutes while he was still on the phone, I saw a faint smile, "Yep...that's what I wanted to hear. Thanks a lot!" and he hung up, then turned and said to both me and Dottie, "The weather is clearing and we will be able to go sailing again in nice weather tomorrow. The storm is moving out!"
It appeared that the area we were in didn't get the full blunt of the storm as it swept just the edge of our location while turning out to sea! I had agreed to stay for a while longer and deeply enjoying meeting them.
We kept busy during the day and he kept walking out to the Sea Mistress each time the rain slacked up. He motioned for me to come into his garage/shop and showed me an old Evinrude motor. The exact same size and model as mine but well used! He smiled and put his arm on my shoulder then said, "I guess this old motor was waiting for you to come and tell me what to do with it!" It was a little big for the pram that he enjoyed rowing anyway, and couldn't be used on the catamaran, but he had used it on a larger 12 foot sailing dinghy when they lived on their ketch and the boat was kept covered while they towed it to keep out waves and spray. Claude said that he wanted a smaller dinghy that he could stow onboard but that boat was a gift, and was getting too old to repair when they sold the ketch, but it went along with the larger boat to a new owner.
Fishing off their dock kept us occupied and during the stormy weather Dottie’s "babies" didn't come around. She said they stayed back in the swampy places during a storm, and that was at the very far end of the lagoon. No boat could get into that area! We caught few fish but released all of them since they were small according to Claude. A couple of them I would have certainly kept for my next feast! We had cheese sandwiches for lunch with homemade clam chowder, and a bowl of fresh fruit for later if a snack was needed. The evening was non-eventful but very relaxing as we watched an episode of Gunsmoke and Hit Parade! I had a wonderful night’s sleep and awoke to a steamy but clearing morning! Bright sun was shining and burning off the moisture with an amazingly high degree of humidity! Man was it muggy! Walking outside with a cup of coffee in hand to catch the ocean breeze was most refreshing! It felt good and even smelled good! Dottie was an early riser and on the dock feeding her "babies". Claude was tightening a ball on his trailer hitch, making it clear that he had already made arrangements to buy the sailboat we had looked at. But today WE were all going sailing!
After another great breakfast of sausage biscuits with eggs and cheese, we boarded Sea Mistress and I gave Dottie one of the newer floating cushions to sit on in the cockpit. She took it then laid it down on the bench seat of the cockpit and said, "I want to see inside!" I opened the hatch!, "Make yourself at home!", and she began to explore my cabin like no other person had ever done! She soon returned with a smile as we motored through the inlet and out into open water. "You really have this boat set up for cruising! But I can' see it would be a little crowded with two people! A good distance out and well away from the entrance I hoisted the mainsail with Claude at the tiller and away we went. While he was getting underway, I hauled the jib and he set the trim from the cockpit. His wife noticed that little detail that all lines ran back to the cockpit which made it easy for one person to handle the sails, anchor line, etc., without moving from the cockpit. The wind had shifted and was coming from the southwest with a gentle roll of waves. That would change later to southerly and things would get a little rougher with stronger winds. But that was predicted for some time during the next 36 hours and at this time presented no threat. For the moment, sailing conditions couldn't have been better as Sea Mistress strutted her stuff with Claude at the helm! It wasn't long before Dottie was at the helm, and controlled the mainsheet and reset the jib while Claude and I just sat there enjoying the moment of lively sailing! It didn't take long to see that she was also a seasoned veteran with a sailboat, and a very accomplished sailor as well! Women that have cruised on a small sailboat know what hard times are and how rough things can get. The skills they develop just by watching is amazing, and it’s a wonderful thing, knowing that you can depend on your partner in a time of crisis!
Suddenly she squealed with joy! "I love it!" At that moment Claude smiled and nodded toward me, and I knew the deal was sealed. He was going to buy that boat! Little did I know that this meeting of chance with these wonderful people would lead to an array of future sailing adventures that included a long lasting friendship?