Why do we sail?

[Silkie]

More accurately why do others sail?

A recent spat in the other place has shown yet again what a diverse bunch sailors are. It would be a cliche to say that there as many different reasons as there are sailors but is there some fundamental attraction that operates regardless of whether we are black or white, rich or poor, man or woman, saint or sinner and regardless of why we think we want to sail?

Not expressing myself very well (vino tinto) and am tempted to delete this but hey-ho if you can't post anything sensible, post some rubbish. Works for me.

[claymore]

Hmm
An interesting question and worthy of a response. Writing personally, I sail because I can. To add flesh to that particular bone, I am a person of above average talent, intelligence and ability. This has meant that I have been able to command an excellent salary and so on looking around for the appropriate trappings which would make people say to themselves "Here is a man of wealth" - I realised that a yacht was one of the better aquisitions to portray this social strata to which I have aspired.
I also found that on first setting foot on a yacht, I discovered an inate ability to sail it much better than anyone else could. Especially Anyone called Donald
The combination of the wherewithall to purchase and the God Given ability rendered the choice the obvious one to make.
I hope that helps

[Aja]

The only reason you managed to beat us into Canna was that you put your spinnaker up and I fell asleep after much sexual activity en route.



Donald

[claymore]

Are we to assume a proper lookout was not being maintained or are you a multi-tasker?

[Silkie]

Thanks for such an honest and considered response.

As a poor sailor (in both senses) none of the reasons you give apply to me of course but perhaps we have something else in common? The romance of sail perhaps, communing with nature or the mental and physical challenge?

[claymore]

Ah yes the romance of sail - those heady days of the high summer without memory of which our winter days would be the longer.

[hazard to shipping]

A good question Silkie - for me it has to be the challenge, the friendships and the hangovers, the wee bit of terror (not too much though!) that thrills to the core and finally the sheer beauty of sailing and being at sea.
I guess I can wax lyrical because being a non-boat owning occasional crew, I don't have the endless expense,hassles and worries of owning and skippering a boat.

[Silkie]

And at last a sensible answer. Surely even the most self-aggrandising, xenophobic, flog 'em and hang 'em owner of a shiny white floating status symbol derives some satisfaction from the joys you list.

I don't have the endless expense,hassles and worries of owning and skippering a boat.

You're just jealous. You forgot to mention the bit about sitting in the cockpit after a hard sail and being able to caress the coaming of your very own little ship with one hand and a malt with the other.

[hazard to shipping]

I don't know what to say or think about that mental picture

But you are right - jealous I am. I was looking at small boats for sale, a Contessa 26 and thought not too bad, but then,as you rightly said, the initial purchase price is only the beginning in a long, long list of expenses.
Plus, being a bit of a scaredy cat, single handing a boat - hmm not sure of my ability to do that, but I guess no-one knows until they cast off.
I wish ( and I do not have many, if any at all, regrets in my life) that I had continued to sail after my teens. The confidence of youth and all that.
Mind you the west coast is a huge improvement on the sewage filled reservoir I sailed GP 14's on as a teenager.

[Silkie]

I don't know what to say or think about that mental picture

A highly active imagination is a fine thing in a woman.

[claymore]

Would you just listen to the pair of you - "a highly active imagination" - "at last a sensible response"
pah

sycophants

[Silkie]

Whit's the matter wi' your torn face? Did sumbdy steal yer sweetie or is it jist soor grapes 'cus ye'll no' be oan ra cruise this year?

[claymore]

Popeingtons
I will be on a cruise.
Muzzy will be with me and hopefully wee Davey will get to receive his gearbox in a boat to boat transfer somwhere near the Byron Darnton.

Where will you be at this time my wee wizzard?

[Silkie]

I'll be gilling about off Crinan ready to welcome you with a 21-pun salute of course. Where else would I be?

[claymore]

Ye'd be a sicht mair use ef ye'd drag yer wee hairy airse doon tae Ardrishaig an dae yer fair share oan they locks.