Bailouts

Spring is a time for seasonal prepping, as well as planning for the people with whom you’ll be sharing the season. Photo by Joe Burke

Spring 2023

By Joe Burke

Recent headlines have me thinking about a 14’ wooden lapstrake skiff I used to own. After a winter season in my basement, bailouts were what the first few outings were all about. Its cedar strakes, copper riveted to dainty oak frames, contracted during the off-season until its form was more of a net than a bowl. But with each outing, the rate of the water’s ingress would slow until eventually it became a boat again.

Spring is the season for maintenance, and thoughts of bottom paint, varnish, and impellers fill our minds. But it’s also the time for dreaming and planning. Where will we cruise this year? What races will we compete in? What new harbors will we explore? And not to be overlooked, with whom will we undertake these adventures? Because after all, for most of us, a big part of the joy of boating is in the connection with other people it affords.

This issue’s Letters section is a good reminder of how boats and boating can connect people over space and time. In fact, it’s the celebration of these connections that Points East is really about.

Which explains why so many of our features seem to be “buddy” stories. Like Paul Brown’s warm Guest Perspective in this issue. Or “partner” stories like the fun series we’ve been running by Mark Barrett on his adventurous cruises with Diana. I happened to meet Mark while on booth duty at the New England Boat Show. He told me that his articles in Points East had led to a certain notoriety as he cruised into New England ports. The typical encounter, he explained, would be someone coming up to Mojo shortly after he had docked. They’d ask if this was indeed the same Mojo as they had been reading about in Points East. And when he’d pridefully respond that in fact it was, and get ready to expand on the stories they had read and the seamanship he had displayed, he’d quickly be interrupted with the question they really wanted to ask, “Is Diana aboard?”

Like Mark, many of our writers own their boats, but boat ownership is not required to enjoy the boating and cruising life.

Maybe your boating is done on OPB’s (Other People’s Boats). I think this is a great way to go, and having been on both sides of the equation, I firmly believe it brings as much pleasure to the skipper as it does to the guest. Of course, even without a boat of your own, you can return the favor in advance. Just find out when the bottom painting/varnishing/engine maintenance will be done and be sure to show up. What a great way to enjoy Spring!