Thanks to Ken Bircher for this shot of Majestic Spirit hangin’ out in a sweet anchorage near Palma Majorca.
Do you have cool shots from your cruising adventures? Send them to me at cruisingcompass@bwsailing.com
Only a Sailor
The boat is nestled back in her slip, dock lines taught, fenders placed, and shore power connected. Now comes one of my favorite parts of sailing, or…not sailing I guess. With a hose in one hand, and sometimes a cold beer in the other, I begin my meditative and therapeutic process of hosing down a salty boat. The saltier the boat the more I seem to get from the ritual. Lots of sailors relish their first shower after a time at sea, but for some reason I take immense joy in hitting all those salt crystals with a stream of fresh water. The stainless, bright work, canvas, blocks, and fiberglass all seem to let out a collective sigh of appreciation once they’re clean.
For me, it’s a time to reflect on the journey. Every trip on the water is different so the rumination takes a slightly different tack with each cleaning. Simple things in sailing – and life for that matter – like hosing down a salty boat, are perfect moments to take your mind to a place of quiet contemplation. That place is probably different for every sailor. Have fun finding your salty boat to hose down.
Enjoy this week’s Cruising Compass.
Cheers,
Andrew Cross
