On Mon, 25 Sep 2006 07:55:10 -0700, Ellen MacArthur wrote
(in article ews.net):



Wind generators.

Got one.

Solar generators.

They're called panels, I have six.

Diesel generators.

Too heavy.

Shore power
cords.

I only use mine if in a marina.

..Fridges.

Built one, R-50 insulation.

Freezers.

Don't have one.

Air conditioners.

Don't have one.

Water heaters.

Don't have one.

Microwave ovens.

Don't have one.

Propellers.

Just installed a Yanmar diesel, to free us from the whims of tide and
current, when winds are slack.

What do all
these have to do with
sailboats?

That depends on if you live in a home and go camping with your sailboat on
weekends, or live aboard your sailboat.

I think the answer is people like that don't want a sailboat. They
want to put their house
inside a boat.

My wife and I live aboard, our boat IS our house.

That's OK if they just stayed far far away from people who
don't want to be hassled
by all their commotion. And out of sight of people who don't want houses
navigating around.

Thank you, how very kind.

Those of us who have merely lived aboard our sailboats for years appreciate
that you 'true sailors' are willing to allow us to use the water too, even if
we must stay "far far away" from you so you won't feel "hassled".

Not to mention their air pollution. Why do anchorages these days have to

smell like an airport or a
truck stop? Why does the biggest smelliest noisiest boat always anchor right
upwind of the fleet?

They can't seem to stay away. They get as close to you as they can. It's

as if they really want to
bother you. The one thing all boats need is a decibel meter. If it gets
higher than normal speech then
it explodes and sinks the boat.... YES! And they need a diesel fume
detector. If it goes off it empties
the holding tank into the bilge.

I'm hearing a lot of frustration and anger.

Why do you sail if it's such a negative experience for you?

I always thought sailors were a quiet, uncomplicated group. I've
discovered there's way too many
selfish people who aren't sailors. They're Winnebago drivers lost on the
water.... They're confused.
They think Spock said "the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the few or
the many."

If you thought a sailboat was a ticket to a world free of obnoxious, selfish,
and/or ignorant people, you must relatively young and inexperienced.

Cheers,
Ellen

Cheers to you,