Rolex International Women's Keelboat Champs - Nov, 14-17, 2007
Shoreacres, Texas (Photo credit: Rolex/Dan Nerney)

Just An Average Joe

I'm honored to have been included in a roundup of six favorite "yacht blogs" by the writers and editors of The Helium Report. I love their description of Zephyr...though at first I was a bit put off to be cited as an "average Joe" on reflection I decided that, while it might not be sexy, it's more than accurate. As much as I might have rubbed elbows with a few sailing rock stars at one time I surely don't any longer. And I never was a rock star myself...a fair sailor, yes and reliable in a blow but I'm in good company there. Now I'm the father of two young children, happily married and report to work for a major corporation nearly every day of the week. I may choose Dogfish Head Pale Ale over Budweiser when it comes to suds and you won't see me sporting a "wife beater" undershirt. But average Joe I am and damn proud of it, in fact. Not to mention very pleased to have been called out at all! Thank you Sue Pierce...

From The Helium Report: Zephyr (sail) is the personal blog of a regular joe who used to crew racing yachts. This New England sailor writes about “sailing culture” and uses poems, song lyrics and pictures of his 5-year-old son’s first overnight sailing trip to remind his readers of the magic of boating. The site also provides news of the sailing world, great shots from major regattas and the blogger’s two cents on media coverage of sailing topics.

Do Wear a Helmet

As the winter season comes on it's time to think of alternatives to sitting by the fire thumbing old copies of SAIL Magazine (or surfing the many enlightening sailing blogs). There is always the West Indies...at least if you live in the Northeast U.S. Florida. The South Pacific. San Diego. There are die hards who tout frostbiting. And...as the UK Telegraph points out...there is always ice sailing. Do: Wear a helmet. Don't: Sail over thin ice.

Here's a website for European oriented crazies...errrr I mean ice sailors. But I'm quite certain that the good ol U.S. has its fair share of nut cases...or ice sailing enthusiasts. And I'm willing to bet they gather on lakes throughout the midwest. Seriously...I have the balls to take a 77' yacht offshore (though it's been awhile) but could I tackle screaming across the ice on a modified sailboat? It takes a special person.

Happy Thanksgiving 2007!

Chill Winds on the Chesapeake

I know that there are a few die-hard "frostbiters" out there but most of us along the Northeastern U.S. seaboard have turned to our fireplaces and armchair sea tales about now... soon it will be time for turkey and pumpkin pie. Other, more fortunate voyagers, have turned their bows south for warmer climes. Once upon a time I participated in this migration and still feel the pull of sparkling blue turquoise water and steady Christmas winds on the beam.

But we take what we can get...which is why it was my pleasure to join my father and brother last weekend as we accompanied my five year old son on his first sailboat overnight. Admittedly not a lot of sailing was accomplished. Even on the Chesapeake the chill winds can blow in November. But we found a nice, albeit unpopulated, anchorage off the Tred Avon River and proceeded to indoctrinate the boy into life aboard. We were lucky on two counts...one my Father has DVD capability which, after we'd explored the 46's Morris sloop stem to stern, was a blessing. The other was that the boy sleeps soundly which, after we'd run through the available single malt scotch, was as well a blessing.

Have a great weekend!

Slackwater Marine

Some great feedback on the "Yacht Monkeys" post (just two back) - now that the writers are on strike maybe there is an opening for someone to bang out a pilot.

Pat points out that I failed to mention the movie "Dead Calm." One of my favorites (love Nicole) but still, it's a movie not a serial TV show. He also cites Quincy. Did that take place on a boat?

Tillerman swung in with "Yachtrock." Ol man Proper Course knows his stuff so I guess I betray my ignorance here...but I've never heard of it.

Finally in the "take your real life and make it a TV show" category we had the below post on "Slackwater Marine" from Yuri. If I was a producer I'd be intrigued, no doubt...

FROM YURI: Ooh! Ooh! (Raising arm at the back of the classroom) How about "Slackwater Marine"? All of the above, plus misc. drug-running, crazed alcoholism, blatant racism, and a dead-hatred of all South Africans? Of course, there will be the standard glorious Caribbean backdrop. Oh. Yeah. I already work there.