So, as some of you may have noticed, I’ve been a little lackadaisical on updating the site. Frankly I’m struggling a bit because the main premise for this website and the byline as well is “One sailor’s Quest for the Perfect Sailboat.” Well now that we have purchased said perfect sailboat, I’m a little lost. One of the down sides to purchasing a sailboat in the fall, in the northern latitudes, I’m finding out, is the numbness that follows not being able to go sailing in our new dream boat. So now I’m lost.
It has been about two months since Aurion was on the water and all I’ve done since is shovel snow off of her. It has been very painful. I am convinced, however, that this Islander 28 is the perfect sailboat for us though and it is this belief that is keeping me afloat till the ice breaks up in the spring and we can begin yet another adventure on a new sailing vessel. For those of you who don’t know this new purchase represents our fourth boat in as many years, which led one of our sailing friends to suggest that we name the new one “4 for 4.” We are convinced though that this one is the keeper and indeed our perfect sailboat. We are also convinced that we are going to leave the name “Aurion” well enough alone.
Some of you may also recall that I am a bit of a Robert Perry fan, so it was with great interest this morning when reading an article of his about Phillip Rhodes’ designs, where he mentioned that on a particular design that the teak eyebrow trim was missing. And further on in the same article about another of Mr. Rhodes’ designs, where Mr. Perry was happy to see the teak eyebrow trim included. I recall that Robert, if I may be so bold to use his given name, mentioned he was 15 years of age when he anguished over the missing teak eyebrow trim. This bit of trivia is revealing, or perhaps interesting at least in that our new Robert Perry designed Islander 28 has on it a beautiful teak eyebrow trim piece port and starboard. I don’t know why this is important to me, it just is.
The horizon for us includes our annual pilgrimage to our local winter boat show in two weeks. Mostly our plans for this show are to take in some of the seminars, specifically the one concerning marine weather. It is also always nice to climb aboard some of the latest designs and dream of summer. Following the show is three long months of watching for signs of the sun climbing more than an inch over the horizon and the snow to disappear for another season. Big sigh!
And now for some thing completely different. I just recently finished reading Moby Dick and also watching the movie Jaws. I noticed that in one of the early scenes in the movie one of the storefronts had the name Tashtego. As you know this is the name of one of the harpooners in the novel. What I don’t know is if the fictional town Amityville, was shot on location or if the town was constructed or if the storefront name was deliberate or what. Yes the winters here are long and boring, but curious minds want answers.
Honey Bunny is making a smoked salmon and wild rice chowder who’s glorious aromas have wafted into my office and is driving me to distraction. She has proclaimed that it is going to be spectacular! If the lovely smells now filling my nose are any indication then I shall not be late for dinner. Happy Sailing!