Been on, but never sailed on.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Bart Senior" .@. wrote in message ...
I've toured many tall ships, but never sailed on one that
was ship rigged, with a square style spar. I do enjoy
studying the subject--it my favorite historical period.

I have sailed on a number of large schooners--to 138 feet.

The dynamic is quite different compared to smaller boats
with smaller crews.

Most of Tall Ships are so expensive they pay their crews
little--food, sea-time and pitantance wages, and bill every
potential passenger whatever they can get--just to meet
expenses, and still find themselves in the red.

Infortunately, you need a 500 ton license or greater to be
a deck officer. Most Captains and Mates hold 1600 ton
licenses. I'm not sure why that is the criteria given that much
of the sea time these crew have is on ferry's and tugs--hardly
the sort of quality sea-time one would want on a tall ship.

But there it is. Want a ride? Pay for it and be treated like
a swab.



"G&G" wrote \
Have actually sailed on a tall ship?
Abby

Been on, but never sailed on.

Me too... The Star of India. One of the oldest.

Bill

Hey, I almost got run over by that boat in San Diego... long story involving
a skipper who was listening to "voices" in his head.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

wrote in message
ups.com...

Been on, but never sailed on.

Me too... The Star of India. One of the oldest.

Bill

...got run over by that boat in San Diego...

Yep... that is where the Star of India is berthed and
has been for many years.

...long story involving a skipper who was...

Okay Jonathan... let's hear your "sea story".

Bill

Well, a friend of mine in college wanted me to go sailing with him and a
friend of his on the 4th of July, 1976. The Star was supposed to sail out of
the SD harbor, go down the coast a ways, then turn around and come back in,
being part of a flotilla for the 4th. This is all at the last minute mind
you.

So, we go down to the water, but the only boat we can get is a 14'
something. It sailed, it sailed slowly, and it leaked, but it came with a
nice bucket. I didn't know the guy who rented the boat, but he supposedly
knew how to sail. We head for Pt. Loma to get a nice view, and get there
just as the Star exits the harbor. There are *big* waves out there, and
we're really getting a lot of water in the boat. Finally, my friend Todd and
I convince the other guy to turn it around and head in.

Just in time, as the Star and a really large number of other boats,
including a good-size CG ship are coming in behind us. Ok, so I figure worst
case, we have stand-on status but it might get a bit rough with all the
wakes as they pass us. I mean they're not going to run us over right. Of
course, we aren't thinking about size of ship, where they can and can't go,
and all the rest of the things that would make perfect sense. :-)

So, the boats are really getting thick around us, and we realize that many
of the skippers of the large power boats either are too drunk to see us or
don't give a damn. We're zigzaging in and out, trying not get run over. We
just barely made it out of the way of the CG ship and the Star which was
following her.

Apparently, there's a photographer in the air and the next day in the Union
is a beautiful picture of all the boats, along with one that is heading away
from the pack at a 90 deg angle. That was us. :-)

Also, when we finally get out of harms way and off to the side, Todd's
*friend* starts talking but isn't making any sense. Then, finally he tells
Todd, you need to take over, the voices are telling me to do bad things.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

wrote in message
oups.com...

...got run over by that boat in San Diego...

Yep... that is where the Star of India is berthed and
has been for many years.

...long story involving a skipper who was...

Okay Jonathan... let's hear your "sea story".

Bill

Isn't that down in San Diego? I've been on that
one. Very pretty. I enjoyed touring it. I thought
it stayed in it's berth. When were you on it under
sail? Do they still take her out?

wrote

Been on, but never sailed on.

Me too... The Star of India. One of the oldest.