End Of Season 2008 - Reflections

I just thought I might ramble a bit more, than my usual.

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When Marcia and I left our home Palm Sunday, I did not have any specific purchase in mind, other than meals and gasoline. Why, just 2-3 months before, I rambled on about why I would -not- own something like another sailboat, with all the obligations and the uber-short season in these parts.

But, like professing a firm and definitive promise to one's friends, never to ask out the skinny, pimply faced, giggly gal for a date, feelings give way to commitments when one is at the movies or a football game or, just chatting on her front steps at sunset, those feelings are much better, then chumming with The Guys.

(For those of you old enough to experience 1955, do you remember the movie "Marty"? And did you see it in the theatres?)

So when we rolled into Lake City, sometimes, the car knows the way, and I am simply there for the ride. As it turned left along the lakeshore drive on the east edge of town to find my old boat, I thought what if it is still there? There it was, nestled between other landlocked vessels, amidst the snowbanks.

Since then, I have logged 94 days of the 224 since that Palm Sunday physically in Lake City working on, or playing with Island Sunset. Marcia too, spent her fair share of time there as well helping or relaxing.

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Expenses must be briefly mentioned. This was not free ...

When I contacted the Marina and they stated I could have a slip rather than waiting two years, I felt elated. When I rolled out a credit card and paid this year's fees, and, a like amount for a One Time Initiation, -that- was a lot of money.

Another example is Life Jackets.

The Classic Orange horseshoe jackets which used to be canvas and kapok, now nylon and block foam, simply would not do. I wanted small and comfortable and easy to wear all day long.

I explored and found a series by Mustang Survival, what I felt would work the best. With a CO2 cartridge, they automatically inflate when immersed in water. Very high tech, almost like a scarf rolled up around one's neck and chest. To me, it felt most like what a training bra might feel like to a pudgy twelve year old (girl).

Well, these little puppies list for $300 each. I lucked out and found a dealer in Woodbury who was going out of business and gave me a price of $155. Two for us, and three more for guests. Do the math.

In the water, Bottom Paint is a requirement to keep the zebra mussels and algae from finding a new home. $55 a quart, 3-4 quarts necessary.

Wanna polish the gelcoat? Either 3M Polishing compound at $12 a bottle, or a gallon of Gelcoat Restoration Polish for $80. I used both.

Or the new plywood for the bulkheads. $125 a sheet. A bit unnecessary, but, I wanted to take no chances. The stuff is "Registered" by Lloyd's of London!

"Things" get expensive.

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Memories accumulate like dust on the forgotten shelf.

Marcia and I attacked The Boate and she learned how to handle a socket wrench, slip jointed pliers, open end wrench, box end wrench and a screwdriver. Afterwards, nail polish removed any evidence of manual labors.

One memorable afternoon was the day I wanted to make the template for the bulkheads. Hot summer day. Clouds rolled in. Rained like crazy. I sat out the storm inside The Boat and put out cups to catch the drips. A stopped at twelve or thirteen. Betraying its age, the deck would have made a good colander. Being contained below, sweat poured out of me, like water from a good hot shower head in the morning. I was soaked.

Another was when I paid attention to the engine long before The Boate went into the water. The wind came down the lake and I honestly thought, The Boat would tip over in its cradle. I got off, drove the car someplace where no trees would fall on me or the car, and waited it out. With 5-6 boats sailing out there somewhere, I wondered how they were doing in the howling gale that came like a banshee.

Then, of course, our first sail. Tom, Marcia and myself.

Or the Saturday Tom and I removed the pulpits and stanchions and altho it took all day, by the evening, all the deck leaks were no more.

Or the Wednesday evening, Tom and I witnessed one of the most beautiful sunsets in my entire memory. The sky was indeed, on fire with crimson, cyan, magenta, gold and deep blues. Our Creator is indeed, a masterful artist. Indeed, we should feel humble before such displays ...

The time I had Marcia, Martha, Mike and Nelly and was tripping all over feet, and stepping on them, and even kinda plopped on Nelly's lap. What a surprise for an 86 yr old woman. What a surprise for me too.

And all the times Marcia and I sat on deck, having some bourbon, and simply enjoying another day we have been granted.

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I have learned it is a long way between Woodbury and Lake City.

I have learned five adults setting in the cockpit? That is 2-3 too many. And not just on our boat either.

I have learned every inch, every cranny, every crack and every nuance the factory manufactured into The Boate.

I have learned, I am no good at estimating "How much will this cost so we can sail it?"

I have learned how long rebuilding windows or refinishing woodwork or simply patching up some old electrical connections really takes.

Marcia and I have learned, and all our guests, how much fun it can be when a good, steady wind propels 6,850 pounds of boat with 2,700 pounds of lead in the keel. When the engine is dropped, quiet resumes, and soon, the "whish" of bubbles streams by the leeward side. And if we are fortunate, we pull a wake behind as we slip along the water.

Indeed, these days are wonderful on the lake in Island Sunset.

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This past March I turned 60. Kind of a remarkable event considering in the metro newspapers, the obituaries contain 10-15% - sometimes up to 25% of folks who are younger than I, and no longer here.

A couple months before or after that day, I opened the garage door, looked at all my "stuff", and realized I will never use so much of it ever again. I will never build that radio controlled airplane. I will not need that tool. The three matched pool table slates I have lugged around for 30+ years, will never find a home in a pool table of my creation.

Now that Island Sunset is resting, I will go thru the entire house, fetching all these things others may find a use for, sell them and retire debt. Plus, have a much cleaner home and garage as a result.

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From the moment I walked over the snow drifts to find her, to yesterday when I winterized the engine and head, restoring Island Sunset and ultimately sailing her, has been a blessing for me. In so many ways.

I long for the day when my labors with Island Sunset are finished. I look forward to many many days on the lake with Marcia and myself. Sailing. Becalmed. Drifting. Or, those few times we are trying to find safe harbor from the sudden storm.

I dream of a time where Marcia is at the tiller, and most of all we own is on Island Sunset (or a larger Island Sunrise), I remove the lines from the dock and lay them onto the deck, grab the shroud and step on board and with the engine puttering away, we reach the harbor's entrance, and turn to starboard.

And we begin a long journey, whose outcome is totally unknown, where every day is Saturday, and finally, weather which is not life-threatening. And after all the planning and finally the execution, our new chapter, has been started.

With this, the Second Season of Island Sunset has now begun.

I sincerely hope you have enjoyed following along ...

Jon ...