And fortunately that was something I was able to do this week with three friends, spend the day on Lake Pleasant, sailing. Sailing is a fascination, and hobby that came on me by surprise. It certainly wasn’t something that I grew up thinking about, or having any aspirations about. As a matter of fact, it came on quick, and has never left.
I was working in Maine for the summer, and on a day off we decided to try a sailing trip. Her name was “The Blakcjack,” a restored 33foot Friendship Sloop, sailing out of Northeast Harbor, Maine. One of the nice things about the boat is she is made of wood, and her sails are real canvas. The trip was an hour and a half sail around the bay, and like I said, I had never really thought at all about sailing previously.
We got on board, if I remember right there is a max of 6 passengers plus the captain and one other crew member. I remember looking around some thinking this is kind of cool, I hope we don’t sink or tip over or something like that, fairly normal thoughts for me when doing something new that I know absolutely nothing about.
Anyhow, the captain started up the engine (diesel) and we pulled away from the dock and headed out of the harbor. As soon as we got clear of the harbor and into the channel they raised the sail and cut the engine. The wind snapped the sail, filling it, the boat heeled a bit catching the wind, and we were sailing. I swear that as soon as it happened I felt something click inside of me, and the thought hit me, this is what I want to do. And I’ve been pursuing it ever since.
Luckily I’ve been able to do some sailing over the years, and we currently own a MacGregor 26D. It’s a hobby that never ends, and I can have nearly as much fun working on the boat as sailing.
Sailing is just right. Wind, water, sun, friends, some skill, some luck, some work and a lot of relaxation. What a gift, and it’s one that I’m always happy to share with others.
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