Archive for the 'Captain Harold' Category
We had a great sail up the backside of the Keys from Islamorada to Card Sound. We saw quite a bit of wildlife including Dolphins, Cormorants, Ospreys and a Rosette Spoonbill. but the most exciting was a Saltwater Croc in Jewfish Creek. This is the first one we have seen in the wild. They are an endangered species, with very few remaining in the Upper Keys. It was much bigger then the fresh water alligators we are used to seeing and had the chacteristic “buck teeth” that showed when his mouth was closed. We were not able to get the camera out quick enough but this is the area we saw him in…
Margie and I worked at the Women’s Sailing Connection booth at the show. It was great chatting about how to be comfortable living on and operating a sailboat. There was real interest from many couples in increasing their knowledge in preparation for the cruising life.
A recurring theme was the difficultly of learning from your partner. Margie and I have been married for 30 years and even after all that time together (or maybe because of it) we still can get a little “testy” when we are teaching each other. Teamwork takes practice. One of the keys is knowing that both partners have something to offer. In order to work together effectively you don’t need to be at the same level; however, it is important to understand the basics of boat handling and sailing. When you grasp the concepts involved, it is easier to be on equal footing with your partner. This will make you want to work together as a team.
In order to encourage better communication between partners, we have put together a Women’s Boating with Confidence weekend in Miami this Jan. 30, 2009 through Feb. 1, 2009. Check it out
In my college days I was the House Manager at the TKE house at Butler University. One of the rooms caught fire due to an electrical short. After calling the fire dept. and using several fire extinguishers to no effect we evacuated everybody from the building. Needless to say I was quite concerned, adrenaline pumping, and racing around in a tizzy. The fire dept showed up and quite calmly went about putting out the fire and making sure everybody was safe. Watching how they methodically approached and calmly dealt with the situation was a life lesson for me.
Life on a sailboat is full of little adventures, though hopefully no fires. Even though your gut may tell you its time for instant action, the safest response is to take a moment to access the problem then take your corrective action. Practice for issues that may come up so when it happens the solution will seem natural and easy.
Look for early warning signs, like Margie saying let’s reduce the heeling. The boat will actually go faster when its not laying over on its side!. Prepare for problems in advance – backing down on the anchor to make sure its set is much easier than getting up at 3 AM in the squall.
After this much excitement maybe you can find a nice sunset in a protected harbor, a cold drink and some tunes from the island play list on the ipod. My guarantee – This will surely cause your calm to increase rapidly.
Margie and I will be at the st pete show helping to promote a new womens sailing website. Hope to see you there
We went diving this weekend with our guests by the Channel Two Bridge in Islamorada. No lobster but we saw several Goliath Grouper. I guess they had a tasty dinner! We also saw a Spotted Eagle Ray and several Tarpon. In the summer when the water is warm this area is good hunting. Due to the recent cold fronts the water temp is down to 74F. Maybe this drove the little critters deeper?
at anchor by panhandle key
We spent the night anchored off Panhandle Key in Everglades National Park. A wonderful moonrise then Caribbean Pork Roast assuaged our disappointment. Of course the 7 knot downwind sail home was pretty nice too.
Captain Margie with Sue at the helm
Thoughts about sailing, living aboard, diving, Boat Maintence in the Floida Keys