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On 9/24/2013 10:39 AM, Sir Gregory Hall, Esq· wrote:
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On 9/23/2013 12:12 PM, Sir Gregory Hall, Esq· wrote:
"slide" wrote in message
Fenders? Real sailors anchor out and row a dinghy to shore.
Docks are hazardous to a vessel's topsides and that's why
fenders are used. Now, I ask you, does it make sense to put
your vessel in harm's way knowingly? I say knowingly because
the carrying and use of fenders proves an awareness of the
danger of dock or pier damage.
As for the beard, it makes the guy look like a bum or a Taliban.
If one wants warmth about the face and neck then try using a
scarf. Excessive facial hair is simply uncouth.
I've had more than one situation where the anchorage was full and I could
either wish my supplies on board or tie up at a dock. Also it's a bit
dicey
to fuel from an anchorage. Finally, in this fellow's case, his boat is
roughly dingy sized so where would he stow one - in his pocket?
Fuel a sailboat? One should be able to sail around the world with
enough fuel on board provided one actually sails and not motors.
And why would one even wish to visit a *full* anchorage when
surely there are plenty of less than full anchorages to visit? I
don't know about you but if I wanted a big crowds I'd sell the
boat and invest in football tickets.
There are, in reality, very few places one cannot go under sail in
a small cruising sailboat. So, I don't buy the fuel argument. If I
recall, Joshua Slocum sailed around the world and visited many
ports and never had any need for motor fuel.
Personally, I spent almost a year sailing the Bahamas several
years ago. I departed the USA with 10 gallons of gasoline in jerry
cans and when I returned I sill had six gallons left. I always use
Sta-Bil®
Here's an example. A nor'easter had worn me utterly out because my self
steering had gone bad. Even if it hadn't, I'd probably be very tired and
wanting a pause in the trip.
I pulled into Cape May sort of surfing the waves through the inlet jettys
into the harbor where I found I was about last in and so nothing in the
anchorage. I couldn't leave even if I wanted to due to the surf in the
inlet. So I could either motor down a narrow way to a marina or what? Die?
Make my boat disappear?
Sounds sensible to me. I'd have used my motor under those
circumstances, too. The point is not to make a habit of it.
How much fuel does it take to make one's way a mile
or so up a narrow channel to a suitable berth. A pint?
http://www.goldeagle.com/brands/stabil/
because I know it will take almost forever for me to use
even six gallons of gasoline.
As for the small size of that Taliban's boat, it doesn't preclude
his shipping and storing, deflated, a small inflatable to use as
a yacht tender. But, his boat is slovenly looking and I'm sure
he's the type who is not the least bit concerned with his
topsides being all scarred up by their interacting with docks
and piers. I couldn't live like that, myself. My Imron® topsides
paint is 30 years old now and look at it:
So he doesn't want to give up even that amount of space. I had a beamy 42'
sailboat and storage was limited. I can only imagine what his capacities
are. He had to decide between a dingy or maybe some added water. I'd take
the water too. Now tell me about the RO device he should have had.
RO takes to much electricity. It generally requires a generator which
that Taliban guy most certainly doesn't have room for. Better to store
a tarp with a hose fitting in the middle to collect rain into a jerry jug or
two. Space is, indeed, a consideration on a small sailing yacht. So
he should loose those space-taking fenders and ship a small inflatable
instead. Two problems solved at once.
It wouldn't look that way if I frequented docks and piers.
He looked like Walt Whitman to me. I think he looked poetic.
He looks like a vagrant. Cruisers should always strive to make
the best impression they can because, individually, they are
often seen to represent cruisers as a group. Personally, I
would rather not be grouped with the slovenly-looking crowd.
Have you ever heard the saying, "clothes make the man?"
Well the same goes for civilized grooming.
Perhaps I looked like Taliban to you when I was sailing out of New England
but I will accept that to keep my neck warm.
That's all well and good but shave off the beard the day
before you arrive in port after a long passage. If nothing
else, the officials will treat you better if you don't look like
some kind of a fugitive from justice.
Sure, if you are coming home for good, but this guy is in port and then
outbound for the next destination. Beards, which we now agree, are
functional, do not grow to functional sizes overnight.
He was in the tropics, for pity's sake. Probably in the 90s most
of the time during the day.
--
Sir Gregory