Do Clothes Make the Sailor?

Passage Revelation:  Clothes do not make the sailor, but makes the woman a clothes horse.
Lessons Learned:  Limited space on a boat requires careful selection of clothes at all time during cruising. 

I've come to the inevitable conclusion, that I have too many clothes to fit the limited space available onboard our sailboat.  I tried to figure out how I can put as many clothes in a small drawer, hanging closet or anyplace else I could find.  I've even put outfits together in a plastic storage bags and found that didn't work either.  Then I separated the shirts, shorts, pants, etc. into the different storage bags.  It is a difficult situation but I'm now thinking about what I actually need for the tropics.  But what happens if I need to return home or have a special occasion.  My hanging closet is filled with 5 shoe hangers which have shoes, purses, and my underwear.  The shoe hanger idea was brilliant, but it has allowed me to keep way more shoes than I need.

Not sure if  I'm fooling myself or if I just don't want to rid myself of the last evidence of civilization of the life as I  knew it in Houston.  One of my boater friends said, "You don't look like a boat person."  How does a boat person look?  We don't have a home base anymore and I tell everyone that my home is where the boat is.  Where ever that may be at any moment of time.  It has my bed, my kitchen, my shower and ,yes, all of my clothes.

I was so proud of myself when I finally got rid of a garbage bag of clothes and donated them to the Navy Relief Society.  Then I walked into a West Marine who had women clothes 75 percent off.  Did I say they were Columbia?  I couldn't resist and proceeded to replace the bag of clothes I had just donated .  Now I had to re-address where I was going to put the new clothes and now what could I give up.

Again and again I have talked to women who are cruising.  Periodically they place their clothes across their stateroom bed and go into an elimination process.  How do you choose?  I can't get rid of my favorite tee shirts.  

One of my cruising buddies, Gina, selects clothes using her favorite color purple.  This way all her clothes can be mixed and matched.  She asked what my favorite color, but I like wearing clothes of all colors.  Then she advised me to categorize my clothes by selecting 4 pairs of jeans, 4 tee shirts, 4 shorts, 4 sailing shorts, etc.  I knew when it came to bathing suits, I could not only have 4.  Also my friend Dew said I needed jackets to wear with my jeans and it would dress up my wardrobe.  Thus, I have kept three jackets.

I am at a loss.  I can't give away my Harvest Moon shirts, NASA/USA shirts or my OLLU shirts.  The memories are too precious and definitely clothes tell stories.  How could I give them to a stranger?
I know one thing, I will not get rid of any of my bathing suits, because I plan on living in them soon.  I guess if I don't get rid of any clothes I could give them to the islanders.  This actually seems like a perfect solution in the spirit of Christmas.

Changing Weather - No Sight of Land

Passage Revelation:  God  made an incredible ocean and sky for us to enjoy it's majestic beauty. Be grateful for all weather in your life; even in doldrums, fog or storms.  Eventually, the weather changes, bringing clear skies and smooth sailing.


Lesson Learned:  Use radar to navigate through bad weather, whether in storms or fog.  If you don't have radar, hove to and wait until fair weather.

No wind.  The ocean's water was crystal, dark, and deep royal blue.  It was as smooth as an ice pond frozen in the cold northeast.  The difference is the hot sun that beat against the Bimini.  

The only sound was the engine and the almost non-existent waves splashing intermittently against the hull.  Yes, we were in the doldrums.  Looking up, the sky matched the sea; crystal, dark, and deep royal blue with no clouds. 

Since there were no clouds, the night sky is covered with sparkling bright stars.  It is incredible seeing the stars without the interference of city lights.  We saw falling stars, satellites, and the International Space Station.  Unfortunately, we did not see the Space Shuttle, nor will we ever have another opportunity.  The Space Shuttle has been non-commissioned; retired after only 30 missions.  Did anyone tell you the Space Shuttle was built to fly 100 times?

Yes, the doldrums were upon us with no wind.  In times long ago, sailors would sit, and wait until the wind returned.  During this time, the Captain assigned sailors work to keep them busy.  This would occupy their minds, and keep their hands busy until the winds returned.   They had no weather reports on VHF, and no engine to propel them through the water.  For us, we had the motor to continue our journey across the Gulf of Mexico, even without wind.

The next night contrasted from the clear beautiful night.  Fog covered the sparkling stars in the sky and engulfed the boat.  It was eerie looking out in space and seeing nothing.  Darkness had fallen over our safe haven.  We were now motor sailing with the assistance of radar.   My fear somewhat diminished as the radar electronic circle surrounded the boat.  Again, our safe haven returned against the thick-as-thief fog to alert us of any ship or rocky shore coming into our path within 12 miles.

Running Aground – From Pensacola to Clearwater, Florida

Passage Revelation:  There are only two types of boaters, the ones who have run aground, and the others who will.

Lessons Learned:  Know tribal knowledge in navigating through new seafaring territories.   Ask directions from local sailors, before leaving the dock.

It is very tricky leaving the Pensacola Bayou Grande Marina.  The markers are confusing; yes I went aground, but recovered very quickly.  Over the years I have found the best solution to running aground is to re-track your boat steps.  This was especially important, as I had followed a local sailor, in a sister Vancouver 42-foot Tayana sailboat, into the marina.    The only difference in our boats; he was the original owner and bought an aft cockpit; whereas, we are the second owner and bought a center cockpit.

When I ran aground, I put the boat in reverse, and returned the way I had come, and backed into deeper waters.  Come to find out my husband and crew previously had run aground, but recovered by flying the spinnaker (whopper), in another area of Pensacola Bay.  The spinnaker provided the propulsion to ease the boat off the bottom.  So after 2 weeks, the JonNe’ had run aground 3 times; once in Portofino Marina, Houston and twice in Pensacola, Florida.  Fortunately this time, TowBoatUS is not required for the Pensacola groundings. 

After the almost running aground incident, we set our course to open seas heading toward Clearwater, Florida.  As night approached, the sky darkened with no moon to guide the way.  Previously we had 14 days of moonlight, with clear skies all the way.  Tonight the moon did not appear until midnight.  Out in the darkness, I heard whistling and blowing noises.  I searched for the sound, but nothing was over the side, except a phosphorescent illumination on the water’s surface.  This beautiful glowing light had replaced the moon and was guiding the boat through the ocean.  Then I heard the noise again, and saw magnificent dolphins gracefully diving in and out of the waves.  The dolphins were the culprits responsible for the magical seafaring sounds. 

The translucent light sparkled against the boat and dolphins as if fireworks on the fourth of July.  This brightly speckled light is plankton on the surface.   The dolphins were feeding on the micro -organisms available for other sea mammals.  The shimmering iridescent light accompanied our sailboat for hours, but soon the dolphins disappeared into the darkness.   This light had served two purposes:  one to light our sailing course; two, and the most important, as a food source, instrumental to the ocean’s Eco life cycle.

 

Temptation of the Sea – Heading toward Tampa

Passage Revelation:  It is comforting to know we have an electronics blanket to keep us safe and warm.

Lessons Learned:  Ensure all electronics are working correctly by checking them regularly, and listening for any changes in the performance.  Always have a backup plan, if your electronic world fails. 

It is another gorgeous day on the ocean with warm winds, fair skies and dolphins playing on the starboard and port bow of the boat.  They would dive from side to side playing in the waves.  The grace and beauty of these creatures mesmerize me in thought and soul.     I would like to back wind the sails and hove to, so I could jump overboard and play with these lovely sea animals.  Logically, they are wild mammals and as such; I should not be tempted by my inner desire.  It reminds me of the ancient sailors, who would hear the sirens on shore and jump overboard to join them.  The sirens were not real, but the sailors desire to join their singing and their comforting were real, if only in their minds.  This was the 6^th day at sea and the temptation of swimming with the dolphins is real.

In life, beauty of objects mesmerizes both men and women.  You must determine inner beauty from the outer beauty.  What is real and what will be the best decision, whether it is a choice, person or entity.   The choice to head for Tampa was not conducive with the winds.    We fought the head winds right on our bow for days.  It was apparent we needed to change direction, and give our crew a rest.  We set the GPS and headed into Pensacola, Florida.   

In setting another course, the winds allowed us to sail for the first time in days.  The sail was exhilarating.  Finally, we were sailing. The temptation to continue on our original course to Tampa perished. The change in course was right for us, the boat and our crew member Kent Brownhill.   It allowed us to visit with our wonderful friends; Keith and Diane Davis from Hammond, Louisiana, Loretta Revis and Charlie Baucom from Pensacola, Florida.  

 

Serenity at Sea Crossing to Pensacola

Passage Revelation:  Reflect into yourself for answers that come within.  God will give you the answers.

Lessons Learned:  REEF EARLY AND REEF ALOT.  Always check weather sources before leaving port.

Now we were crossing the enormous Gulf of Mexico.  Respect for the sea is the utmost.  The sea gods can get mighty angry if you don't read the signs of danger.  You just never know what you are going to get in weather, but if you check all your resources you probably have a clue, at least for 4 days.

My husband Jon famous lines is, "Reef early and Reef alot."  This has proven the best advice I have ever heard about sailing and especially at night.  No one wants to go out on deck at night to reef sails.  It is dangerous.

I had the morning watch from 6 AM until 10 AM.  It was good to be alone with the sea, but this time I had an escort of 3 dolphins on the starboard side (right).  They playfully vanished under the ship and magically appeared on the other side.  I wanted to jump into the water and play with them.  I knew I couldn't, but one day maybe I would have an opportunity to swim with the dolphins. 

A seagull flew in front of the boat and I wondered if he was lost, as we were far away from shore.  Then I saw his partner.  Together they were making their own passage.  Where I did not know?

Being alone during your watch gives you time to reflect on your life.  What life is about and how you as a human fit into the universe.  What will you leave behind as a legacy?  Is your life meaningful, not only to you, but to the people that surround you day-to-day? 

My own life reminds me of the seas.  Sometimes it is glimmering from the sunshine, full of laughter and  carefree thoughts.  Unfortunately, it changes with a blink of the eye, huge waves, strong winds and stormy seas. especially the eye of the weather at sea.

It is wise to watch the weather, as you would watch your life and the people who surround you.  You have to adjust your sails to have smooth sailing as you have to adjust your friends when they no longer have your best interest at heart. 

Today the sun is high and the breezes are good.  Life feels wonderful at the wheel in solitude adjusting the sails as we cross the Gulf.  It is truly serenity at Sea.