I have thought a true test of a marriage is docking a boat together or even sharing a double kayak together - though for the sake of our marriage we have elected for single kayaks after a single double kayak ride once. We know our limits and a double kayak simply isn't for the two of us - a little something about both of us wanting to steer. I would now like to submit crossing a start line in a sailboat race with no or little wind as the true test now.
Our second weekend of vacation Sam had signed us up for the Shaw Island Race. This is a very casual race - which is the only reason I agree to participate. I have done numerous duck dodges in our boat but that was a 20 foot Harbor that was very easily maneuvered. This is a boat we would take out on the 4th of July on Lake Union and sail among all the boats quite easily so not quite the same as a 37 foot sailboat.
In fact the race was casual enough that our 4 month nephew Ethan was on board along with my sister Carla, her husband Dave, my mom, and dad. Am pretty sure Ethan would have received the youngest sailor award if there was one. Hey you have to start them early now though it turns out right now he enjoys power boating a bit more and sailing is a bit slow for him, I am sure Sam will figure out a way to make him a sailor eventually - look what he did to me.
We were all assigned jobs by Sam and I was the tactician. What that really meant was that I would tell Sam where other boats were in relation to us. About the only tactics I called were those when Sam didn't have a clue which way was best and he could ask me so I could be to blame when we lost ground.
Once again there was no wind at the starting line. Normally I am pretty happy without much wind but in relation to starting a race I would like a decent amount of wind so at least we wouldn't drift into each other. After jockeying to the line we ran out of wind along with many of the other boats and started to drift into each other. Fortunately we fended off each other without damage though there was some (a lot) yelling involved.
I think there is enough to figure out during a race without having to fend off other boats. Since I get nervous if a boat is within 50 feet being able to reach and push off another boat really isn't for me. Sam doesn't quite get why I am so freaked out and worried about hitting other boats. Maybe it is because we have been hit a few times though not in this boat - other than a nasty scratch on the side when we weren't around. I mean he doesn't seem too happy when another car gets that close.
So while Sam is enjoying all the excitement and loving the adrenaline rush I am freaking out and wondering once again why I agreed to this. Usually during this time there is a bit of yelling at each other but Sam says that is just part of the racing thing. I on the other hand would prefer a start away from every other boat even if it would mean we didn't have a great start, I see no reason to have to remind another skipper when we have rights.
This time we were right in the middle of most of the fleet and it took us 10 minutes to cross the starting line - not quite the start we were looking for. Eventually we drifted across and we were off - well kind of. The wind did pick up and we were finally moving along a bit. Of course because we were no longer right next to all these other boats and I felt we were out of danger I suddenly became competitive and wanted to win. Now I wanted to pass other boats and choose the best course to finish well.
Really I should figure out a way to climb on board after the start - I am sure Sam would prefer it that way but who would tell him when he was going to hit another boat or point out every boat within 200 yards that could possibly tack into us. Somehow he doesn't understand why I don't think the start isn't much fun and I get a bit stressed. I try and explain it by reminding everyone someone needs to be the responsible cautious one on board but I don't seem to get much appreciation or agreement from everyone else.
The rest of the race was great and I enjoyed myself though I was asking Sam why we weren't passing up our competition and how we could have done better. When he reminded me that races are often won at the start I decided first place might not be all that important anyways. I mean weren't we just out for a nice day on the water - who really needs a trophy? If it means I have to be stressed out for the 15 minutes before the race and the 5-10 minutes after the gun worrying about who is going to sail into us just finishing is fine with me.
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