Sailing can be a humbling experience.
We have a friend who every few years requests a boat ride for her birthday. It is always a great time, and we love hosting her party on board. This year is the second time that I have been part of the crew for the birthday sail and I was surprised to see how much my skills have improved since the last time.
The last time I helped out was before James and I had a boat of our own. We took James’s parents’ boat – a beautiful (and fast) Crowther 42 Super Shockwave called Green Flash. At some point during this sail, we were docking and I (as the crew person) needed to tie the boat to a bull rail.
Left: Green Flash in B.C. in 2021.
I had no idea how to do that.
All eyes were on me. The party (who also had no idea how to tie the boat down) kindly shouted tipsy encouragement. I tried not to panic. James was driving and calling out instructions that did not make sense to my inexperienced mind. I could feel the tears brimming. It was humiliating. However, we somehow docked and all was fine.
Last week, three boats and several years later, we hosted another birthday sail and I found myself in a similar situation.
This time, the trouble was not tying to a bull rail (which I am pretty good at these days), but rather docking WP in a slightly short slip with a narrow fairway.
Fortunately, the tide was high (so no current from the river on which the marina is located) and the wind was low. James steered us close enough that I could jump (despite a small amount of trepidation – why does each new boat get so much taller?). I tied down the midship line when unexpectedly the bow started to swing out, toward our slip neighbor. (Don’t worry – we had many fenders out and the party people were great at fending off when instructed.)
But this time I did not panic.
I knew what I wanted to do. I calmly asked for the bow line. (I know – I should have taken it with me.) I understood the instructions coming from James. We docked the boat.
Ultimately, I did miss a few things. (“What about the stern line?” you are wondering, perhaps.) There are many ways to improve, and I will always consider myself a student when it comes to sailing.
But I can’t help but feel a little bit proud of how far I have come. From blushing over a bull rail to managing a full set of dock lines. I even caught myself watching a video on how to better tie a cleat hitch.
Where will I be by the next birthday excursion?
Happy Sailing!