June 2006
By Tom Snyder
One of the great features in most cruising magazines is the addition, at the end of exciting feature stories, of a post script often titled something like “In Retrospect” or “Lessons Learned” or “What We Should Have Done Differently.” It is here where the reader can learn from the mistakes of others. I can’t tell you how valuable these little morality tales have been for me, and I’d like to contribute in kind by sharing two exciting and troubling ordeals of my own. An added benefit of this form is the implicit reminder that even seasoned sailors can make mistakes. As you shall see below, I have made a few of my own despite the fact that I am a very gifted sailor.
Ordeal 1: On a gorgeous July evening, my wife and I sailed to Cocktail Cove on the lovely Jewell Island to have a drink with friends. We did not check the weather forecast beforehand, as we got started late. When we arrived, we were startled to discover a very crowded cove. I would have anchored in the clear water just outside the cove, but I had no anchor with me (it was being repaired) so we tried to have cocktails while motoring between the anchored boats. A huge thunderhead appeared, followed by a squall that caused a lot of damage and thoroughly frightened our guests.
In Retrospect: Looking back on that traumatic evening, I now realize that those “friends” of ours weren’t people we liked spending time with — he hates pro hockey and she thinks Newt Gingrich is sexy. We should have thought about that before committing to an entire evening with them.
Ordeal 2: A good friend, Carl, and I were anchored in a cove in the Bay of Fundy on a cold night in June. Earlier, in 18 feet of water, at dead low tide, we had anchored with 40 feet of chain, my reasoning being that with an all-chain rode, three times the depth was plenty. Carl and I sat below shivering but happy nonetheless as we listened to a Red Sox game. We really cranked the volume on that radio to be able to hear over the escalating howl of the wind. The harder it blew, the louder we played it. Carl was the first to notice that our boat was drifting quickly toward the entrance to the cove. He was quite frightened, but as soon as the inning was over, we raced up on deck and dealt with the problem. This happened several times that night, but by morning the wind had quieted and we resumed our cruise.
In Retrospect: With the benefit of hindsight, I now see clearly, and with some embarrassment, that I should have either brought warmer clothing or just used more layering. With advances in synthetic undergarments there is no excuse for being cold on a cruising boat. Secondly, and perhaps even more embarrassing, in the department of “didn’t learn my lesson the first time,” I should have realized that calling Carl a “friend” might have been a bit of a stretch. He and I do not share the same values. I should spend less time with him.
Tom Snyder sails Blue Moon out of Peaks Island, Maine.
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