Hurry-cane Season

No, that is no typo. It is an accurate description of the pace of land life. The "Hurry Up". The, "I have to go her and do that, so I can then go and do this other thing". Lately, there have been two speeds at our house, Hurry up and Faster. We seem to go 100 miles per hour.

Every week and every day. There is work, kids activities and school, social activities (mostly the kids social life, Mom and Dad don't have a life. Lol) and other engagements. In between is the dream of moving a bit slower, say 4 knots. Life is better at 4 knots. Everything slows down. Food tastes better and the beers are smoother. Excuse the expression, but, at 4 knots everyone is in the same boat and there is nowhere else to be. I call it, "Going nowhere fast". When on the boat, if the weather is not favorable, then you wait it out. It makes no since to go. Just slow down and wait it out, will not put you or your boat in jepardy. One must be able to create an open ended schedule to achieve the optimal relaxation.

 I must leave you with these fast and furious words. I write this post while waiting for the kids to finish cheerleading practice, only to then to go drop off one of their friends, do homework, cook dinner, throw in some laundry and kiss the wife, then do it all again tomorrow. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over again and expecting a different result. Folks, it is time to start thinking different. Beware, there is a NOAA alert for the Hurry-cane season.

Who are we fooling. It's about the Rum.

What is the sailor's drink of choice?  Rum.  Does the sailor drink rum because they sail, or do they sail because they drink rum?  The age old question.  But, really.... Who are we fooling.  If a sailor can combine things that he loves the more enjoyable the experience, but be responsible.

I love to read sailing blogs about sailing.  I found a article written in 2006 that combines the love for sailing and the love for rum.  Two of my favorite things.  You can check it out the the Cruising World website here.  It is well written and witty.  I have read this many times and it makes me smile each time.  

What sailor would be worth his salt, if he were drinking any rum other than Sailor Jerry.  This rum is made in the Caribbean and is dedicated to the craftmanship of Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins.  He was a man who lived by his own rules.  Norman once said, "Good work is not cheap and cheap work is not good".  I can vouch for his rum, it IS worth the price.  

At the end of every sail, sailors will always find a reason to celebrate.  The Sundowner is the evening event that brings all sailors in an anchorage together for that celebration.  Take your pick of Rum recipes that can be enjoyed at anchor and shared with your fellow sailor.

As for me tonight I have a problem with Sailor Jerry Rum.... I am out!

Sand, Sun, Sail... Repeat

Call me a fair weather sailor.  Call me a cruiser, not a racer.  There are many hard core sailors out there that put on their heavy weather gear and brave the harsh winds from the covered cockpit in December.  These people love it, just like the golfers that I know that play every day that there is no snow on the course.  As for me, if there is sand and sun, then I am ready for a sail.

I don't know if it is sailing with the kids or the wife, but heavy weather sailing does not appeal to me.  Sailing to me is not getting thrown about while preparing to tack.  I want to sail when the sun is out and it is warm.  Most importantly, I don't want to spill my beer.  At a blistering 4 MPH,  life just feels better.

I want to snug the boat up to the beach and let the kids swim.  I want to hop up a chain of islands, only if the wind is blowing in that direction.  We carry beach chairs and sun umbrellas on our boat for just the occasion of hoping off and enjoying ourselves lounging in the sun and sand.  If the weather does not corporate, then I am satisfied hanging out tied up to the dock.  Reading, listening to music are some of the things we enjoy if we can't sail and you might be close to a restaurant to boot.  Dock life is different than camping, just saying.

Just to be clear, there is nothing wrong with sailing in extreme conditions or playing golf when it is 100 below zero.  I am just saying that I just prefer a more common approach to outdoor activities.  Give me the Sand, Sun, Sail and Repeat.

It is a Sickness

Boat parts soaking in the bathtub.  Sails under the bed and in the closet.  One half finished sailboat in the garage and the latest copy of Cruising World magazine read three times, highlighted and pages dog-eared.  I have a case of the "Landlocked Sailor" blues.  They doctors have said that there is no medication that will help.

I have it bad.  Yes, I have sails in the closet and under the bed.  No I don't have boat parts in the tub, yet.  I do have a half finished sailboat in the garage that is always for sale and I can't wait for my issues of Sail and Cruising World to arrive in the mail.  I would say I am addicted.  A sailboat junky.  My wife calls it my porn. 
Where can I get my next fix?  Boat shows, docks and magazines only get you so far.  Actually sailing is the only cure.  Running with the wind is what sets me free.

My evenings are filled with searching Ebay and Craigslist for used sailboats for sale.  Again, I am addicted.  I don't even need a computer any longer.  I have an App for that.  My Android phone is Ebay and Craigslist friendly.  I have alerts set for Craigslist to alert me to new postings for sailboats.  On Ebay, I save listings for view before the auction ends to see if I can get a good price on a O'day 28.   As for now, I will remain stuck between two corn fields dreaming of sailing adventures.

Strictly Sail - A Sailors Review

Like birds migrating south for the winter, this Landlocked Sailor makes his way north, in the dead of winter, for a taste of spring.  What else would make a guy dream of summer more than looking at the newest boats and gear for the sailing season.  Family Pass tickets to the 2012 Strictly Sail Chicago is this midwest sailors call of spring.

I have attended Strictly Sail for the last 3 years.  Each year I have a specific reason for the journey to the Chicago Navy Pier in January.  Our first show was to sign up for sailing classes on learning how to sail.  We signed up with an outfit out of Michigan City called Michigan City Sailboat Charter.  We took a three day class and learned how to sail on a Hunter 33.  It was a great learning experience.  The second year, our goal was to gather information about purchasing a boat and doing a bare boat charter in the BVI.  Finally, we attended this years show to purchase gear for our sailboat, a Columbia 23T.  I find that there are three reasons to attend Strictly Sail.

Sailboats
Sailboats as far as the eye can see.  Racers.  Cruisers.  Dingys.  They ship in all of the above.  Acres of boat that are set up in various configurations.  Each of the major manufacturers bring their best wares to display.  These manufactures and their dealers, set up pods of boats that show goers can climb aboard.  This year a 86 foot racing sailboat took center stage and managed to block traffic on Lake Shore Drive.

Sailing Gear
For those that have already bought a sailboat while attending Strictly Sail, walking through the various vendor booths looking for gear to outfit that new sailboat can take up an entire day.  Hundreds of vendors were in attendance to provide goods and services to the sailing public.  This year, my observation was that manufactures were displaying very innovative products.  From electric motors to composting toilets, manufactures put their best foot forward.

Sailing Seminars
Seminars at Strictly Sail are geared to the novice or advanced sailor.  The topics range from diesel maintenance to offshore cruising.  The seminars are the most valuable asset of the show.  The years of experience is second to none.  To be in the same room with these folks is more than worth the ticket cost or the cost for the seminar.  Seminars are repeated at various times throughout the day and over the course of the show.

Another Strictly Sail is in the books.  The vendors and manufactures have vacated their booths and made their way back to their hometowns and harbors.  I am sure they they need a little down time after an outstanding show.  As for myself, I was able to get the information that I was looking for this year about chartering and new head for the boat.  I will be doing one thing different next year.  I will be planning on attending the show for more than one day to give me plenty of time to interact with the vendors and attend all the seminars that I would like to attend.  Come and join the fun.