"HarryK" wrote in message
...
snip

Please tell me..."what cruising really is all about."

We just bought a new boat and we plan to do some cruising, but I sure
wouldn't want to break any of your rules when we do.

So, please list your rules in order of importance.




I shall be delighted to do so:

(rules about what cruising is all about listed in order of importance)


1) Cruising is a planned, uneventful, private and successful voyage from one
venue to another that takes into consideration the vessel, the crew, the
weather, the water, the stuff upon which the water lies and the hard stuff
around the edges of the water.

2) Cruising under sail is doing the above without using the motor unless the
wind dies completely.

3) When cruising you should remain as inconspicuous as possible at all
times. This includes while underway and entering and exiting ports of call.
This also includes anchoring. If anybody's head pops out of a nearby
companionway or hatch to see what all the commotion is about as you pass by
or anchor you are doing something wrong.

4) The same can be said about when you are getting under way.

5) When you're anchored don't run a portable generator. Don't run your
diesel at all unless there is an emergency and unless you are downwind of
EVERYBODY (diesel fumes go a long way downwind and are sickening and
unhealthy to breathe). Put a strap on that noisy wind generator in an
anchorage. If you need terawatts of electricity then stop being an obnoxious
skinflint with your noisy Honda portables and cheapass wind generators
whooshing and whistling and grinding away. Purchase and install a
water-cooled, inboard diesel generator and use it instead because they are
acceptable quiet but never use it upwind of anybody else.

6) Idle speed only when using your dinghy. Better yet, get your fat ass in
shape and use a rowing dinghy.

7) Leave the barking dogs and crying babies at home.

8) Cruising should be done for its own sake. If you can't enjoy cruising
without conducting a running dialog via the internet or telephone the whole
time, you aren't cruising - you're showing off or trying to show off and
you're making a pain in the ass out of yourself.

9) Cruisers are self-reliant. Never expect to be rescued. Don't ever call
for a rescue unless you're gonna die without a rescue. And, if you're gonna
die, think twice about calling for a rescue as the fact that you're gonna
die probably means you deserve to die because you've been too stupid to
live.

10) Go cruising. Shut up about it. Don't bother anybody else when you're
cruising.


Wilbur Hubbard

On 11/2/10 2:02 PM, Wilbur Hubbard wrote:
wrote in message
...
snip

Please tell me..."what cruising really is all about."

We just bought a new boat and we plan to do some cruising, but I sure
wouldn't want to break any of your rules when we do.

So, please list your rules in order of importance.




I shall be delighted to do so:

(rules about what cruising is all about listed in order of importance)


1) Cruising is a planned, uneventful, private and successful voyage from one
venue to another that takes into consideration the vessel, the crew, the
weather, the water, the stuff upon which the water lies and the hard stuff
around the edges of the water.


Agreed, for any sort of boating.


2) Cruising under sail is doing the above without using the motor unless the
wind dies completely.

3) When cruising you should remain as inconspicuous as possible at all
times. This includes while underway and entering and exiting ports of call.
This also includes anchoring. If anybody's head pops out of a nearby
companionway or hatch to see what all the commotion is about as you pass by
or anchor you are doing something wrong.

Not necessarily.



4) The same can be said about when you are getting under way.

Agreed.


5) When you're anchored don't run a portable generator. Don't run your
diesel at all unless there is an emergency and unless you are downwind of
EVERYBODY (diesel fumes go a long way downwind and are sickening and
unhealthy to breathe). Put a strap on that noisy wind generator in an
anchorage. If you need terawatts of electricity then stop being an obnoxious
skinflint with your noisy Honda portables and cheapass wind generators
whooshing and whistling and grinding away. Purchase and install a
water-cooled, inboard diesel generator and use it instead because they are
acceptable quiet but never use it upwind of anybody else.

Fortunately, we have a water-cooled, diesel generator.



6) Idle speed only when using your dinghy. Better yet, get your fat ass in
shape and use a rowing dinghy.

Agreed, especially the latter. I'm in the market for an inflatable dink
that actually will row nicely. Probably aren't any.



7) Leave the barking dogs and crying babies at home.

Leave the dogs at home, drown the crying babies! :)



8) Cruising should be done for its own sake. If you can't enjoy cruising
without conducting a running dialog via the internet or telephone the whole
time, you aren't cruising - you're showing off or trying to show off and
you're making a pain in the ass out of yourself.

Sometimes.



9) Cruisers are self-reliant. Never expect to be rescued. Don't ever call
for a rescue unless you're gonna die without a rescue. And, if you're gonna
die, think twice about calling for a rescue as the fact that you're gonna
die probably means you deserve to die because you've been too stupid to
live.

10) Go cruising. Shut up about it. Don't bother anybody else when you're
cruising.


Wilbur Hubbard



I don't think you'd be a lot of fun on a cruise, Wilbur.

"HarryK" wrote in message
...
On 11/2/10 2:02 PM, Wilbur Hubbard wrote:
wrote in message
...
snip

Please tell me..."what cruising really is all about."

We just bought a new boat and we plan to do some cruising, but I sure
wouldn't want to break any of your rules when we do.

So, please list your rules in order of importance.




I shall be delighted to do so:

(rules about what cruising is all about listed in order of importance)


1) Cruising is a planned, uneventful, private and successful voyage from
one
venue to another that takes into consideration the vessel, the crew, the
weather, the water, the stuff upon which the water lies and the hard
stuff
around the edges of the water.


Agreed, for any sort of boating.


2) Cruising under sail is doing the above without using the motor unless
the
wind dies completely.

3) When cruising you should remain as inconspicuous as possible at all
times. This includes while underway and entering and exiting ports of
call.
This also includes anchoring. If anybody's head pops out of a nearby
companionway or hatch to see what all the commotion is about as you pass
by
or anchor you are doing something wrong.

Not necessarily.



4) The same can be said about when you are getting under way.

Agreed.


5) When you're anchored don't run a portable generator. Don't run your
diesel at all unless there is an emergency and unless you are downwind of
EVERYBODY (diesel fumes go a long way downwind and are sickening and
unhealthy to breathe). Put a strap on that noisy wind generator in an
anchorage. If you need terawatts of electricity then stop being an
obnoxious
skinflint with your noisy Honda portables and cheapass wind generators
whooshing and whistling and grinding away. Purchase and install a
water-cooled, inboard diesel generator and use it instead because they
are
acceptable quiet but never use it upwind of anybody else.

Fortunately, we have a water-cooled, diesel generator.



6) Idle speed only when using your dinghy. Better yet, get your fat ass
in
shape and use a rowing dinghy.

Agreed, especially the latter. I'm in the market for an inflatable dink
that actually will row nicely. Probably aren't any.



7) Leave the barking dogs and crying babies at home.

Leave the dogs at home, drown the crying babies! :)



8) Cruising should be done for its own sake. If you can't enjoy cruising
without conducting a running dialog via the internet or telephone the
whole
time, you aren't cruising - you're showing off or trying to show off and
you're making a pain in the ass out of yourself.

Sometimes.



9) Cruisers are self-reliant. Never expect to be rescued. Don't ever call
for a rescue unless you're gonna die without a rescue. And, if you're
gonna
die, think twice about calling for a rescue as the fact that you're gonna
die probably means you deserve to die because you've been too stupid to
live.

10) Go cruising. Shut up about it. Don't bother anybody else when you're
cruising.


Wilbur Hubbard



I don't think you'd be a lot of fun on a cruise, Wilbur.




If you want fun, go to the circus. Cruising isn't supposed to be 'fun'.
Cruising is a serious challenge that needs to be viewed as a serious
challenge. People are too stupid to consider the fact that their 'fun'
usually results in misery for the next guy.


Wilbur Hubbard

On 11/2/10 3:42 PM, Wilbur Hubbard wrote:
wrote in message

I don't think you'd be a lot of fun on a cruise, Wilbur.




Cruising isn't supposed to be 'fun'.

Wilbur Hubbard



That's just absurd, Wilbur.

"HarryK" wrote in message
...
On 11/2/10 3:42 PM, Wilbur Hubbard wrote:
wrote in message

I don't think you'd be a lot of fun on a cruise, Wilbur.




Cruising isn't supposed to be 'fun'.

Wilbur Hubbard



That's just absurd, Wilbur.



Your reply is indicative of the sad state of affairs of sailing these days.
Sailing has become "fun" as its primary attribute. With an attitude like
that, is it any wonder why so many incompetent boobs are out there on the
water causing disaster after disaster, scandal after scandal and folly after
folly?

"Satisfaction" would be a more appropriate word than "fun". Fun has a
connotation of amusement like in an amusement park. Fun lacks seriousness.
Cruising done well provides satisfaction. Cruising done well does not
provide fun. It's too serious a pursuit and too dangerous and needs to be
taken seriously or dire consequences to all concerned might be the result.



Wilbur Hubbard

On 11/2/10 3:52 PM, Wilbur Hubbard wrote:
wrote in message
...
On 11/2/10 3:42 PM, Wilbur Hubbard wrote:
wrote in message

I don't think you'd be a lot of fun on a cruise, Wilbur.




Cruising isn't supposed to be 'fun'.

Wilbur Hubbard



That's just absurd, Wilbur.



Your reply is indicative of the sad state of affairs of sailing these days.
Sailing has become "fun" as its primary attribute. With an attitude like
that, is it any wonder why so many incompetent boobs are out there on the
water causing disaster after disaster, scandal after scandal and folly after
folly?

"Satisfaction" would be a more appropriate word than "fun". Fun has a
connotation of amusement like in an amusement park. Fun lacks seriousness.
Cruising done well provides satisfaction. Cruising done well does not
provide fun. It's too serious a pursuit and too dangerous and needs to be
taken seriously or dire consequences to all concerned might be the result.



Wilbur Hubbard



Wilbur, whoever you are and whatever you do, you are not qualified to
argue semantics with me. Really. I have a fancy graduate degree in
etymology, and have been a practicing editor and writer for decades.

I know words and how they are used. Most people with sailboats, whether
they cruise as you describe it or race or just putter around do it for
"fun." It can be a sport, which is one of the definitions for fun.

The fact that boating needs to be taken seriously does not minimize its
"fun" value.

I know words and how they are used.

Then what can you say about me using my writing miscues as a
guide.....? Do you see any patterns?

"HarryK" wrote in message
...
snip

Wilbur, whoever you are and whatever you do, you are not qualified to
^^^^^^
|||||||||||

You should have typed 'whomever'

http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/whoever.asp


argue semantics with me. Really. I have a fancy graduate degree in
etymology, and have been a practicing editor and writer for decades.
^ ^
| |

Oh, is that so? So please tell me, Harry, why the unnecessary comma?


I know words and how they are used. Most people with sailboats, whether
they cruise as you describe it or race or just putter around do it for
"fun."

^^

||

Why, Harry, did you fail to place a comma where one was needed? Some editor!

It can be a sport, which is one of the definitions for fun.

The fact that boating needs to be taken seriously does not minimize its
"fun" value.


Wrong again, Harry! Taking any pursuit seriously necessarily diminishes its
fun value as serious is the opposite of fun.


Wilbur Hubbard
Ph. D. Journalism

On Tue, 2 Nov 2010 14:02:57 -0400, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:

(rules about what cruising is all about listed in order of importance)


1) Cruising is a planned, uneventful, private and successful voyage from one
venue to another that takes into consideration the vessel, the crew, the
weather, the water, the stuff upon which the water lies and the hard stuff
around the edges of the water.

That's not cruising, that's voyaging. Of course voyaging is part of
cruising, but only a part. Uneventful? No, that would be BOR-ING!
Some, if not most, voyages will be eventful for one reason or another,
and some events will be quite pleasant and others very unpleasant.
Planning will vary, from a number of legs with pretty definite goals
to exiting the pass and tossing a mental coin or noting wind direction
as to which way to turn. I've done it both ways. Of course one has to
be prepared.


2) Cruising under sail is doing the above without using the motor unless the
wind dies completely.

Agree. I once spent about 6 months and over 2,000 NM and burned 2.5
Gal of diesel (I checked).


3) When cruising you should remain as inconspicuous as possible at all
times. This includes while underway and entering and exiting ports of call.
This also includes anchoring. If anybody's head pops out of a nearby
companionway or hatch to see what all the commotion is about as you pass by
or anchor you are doing something wrong.

I think I agree. Not so much with that "inconspicuous as possible"
part, but yes with the "head pops" part.


4) The same can be said about when you are getting under way.

5) When you're anchored don't run a portable generator. Don't run your
diesel at all unless there is an emergency and unless you are downwind of
EVERYBODY (diesel fumes go a long way downwind and are sickening and
unhealthy to breathe). Put a strap on that noisy wind generator in an
anchorage. If you need terawatts of electricity then stop being an obnoxious
skinflint with your noisy Honda portables and cheapass wind generators
whooshing and whistling and grinding away. Purchase and install a
water-cooled, inboard diesel generator and use it instead because they are
acceptable quiet but never use it upwind of anybody else.

I've read so much about "noisy wind generators" in this group, but
have never run into anyone at an anchorage that had any objections.
Way back when we actually asked a bunch of other folks if our wind gen
disturbed them and got looks like we were crazy.

I can't agree at all with #5. If somebody just has to have total quiet
they can go find it someplace else. They certainly aren't going to
find it at any fairly crowded anchorage.


6) Idle speed only when using your dinghy. Better yet, get your fat ass in
shape and use a rowing dinghy.

Agreed. We always had a hard dinghy so we could row. Also an
inflatable with a small outboard for exploring and diving.


7) Leave the barking dogs and crying babies at home.

That's simply not possible for some folks. Excessive barking or crying
is something that can and should be taken care of.


8) Cruising should be done for its own sake. If you can't enjoy cruising
without conducting a running dialog via the internet or telephone the whole
time, you aren't cruising - you're showing off or trying to show off and
you're making a pain in the ass out of yourself.

Cruising should be done for whatever the heck reason the cruiser is
doing it. We always did a web page because most of our friends and
family wanted to vicariously cruise with us. Other than that, which
was a bother sometimes, our reasons were to simply see new places and
enjoy life. Always on sailboats, mainly because of cost, but also
because of the lure of sail. To be honest, if money wasn't a
consideration I think I'd really enjoy cruising aboard a 90-foot,
45-knot motor yacht!



9) Cruisers are self-reliant. Never expect to be rescued. Don't ever call
for a rescue unless you're gonna die without a rescue. And, if you're gonna
die, think twice about calling for a rescue as the fact that you're gonna
die probably means you deserve to die because you've been too stupid to
live.


Except for the first sentence, that is pure bull crap.Well, sentence
three is true in most cases. There are many reasons to require a
rescue that have nothing to do with being stupid. One that comes to
mind is what recently happened to a friend - a drunk in a jet boat
(NOT a jet ski, a 21-footer) took his bow off and his underway
sailboat sunk almost instantly. Freak weather. Whales. Losing a keel
(a Benateau fovorite). Yes, these things are extremly rare, but they
do happen. Other than such a catasrophe, yes the cruiser should be
self reliant and able to repair or jury rig most anything.
Unfortunately, a lot of folks are simply not capable of doing this to
the n'th degree. Not a put down - as Dirty Harry said, you gotta' know
your limitations.


10) Go cruising. Shut up about it. Don't bother anybody else when you're
cruising.

Nothing to do with it.

Wilbur Hubbard

Rick Morel

On Nov 5, 1:26*pm, Rick Morel wrote:
On Tue, 2 Nov 2010 14:02:57 -0400, "Wilbur Hubbard"

wrote:
(rules about what cruising is all about listed in order of importance)

1) Cruising is a planned, uneventful, private and successful voyage from one
venue to another that takes into consideration the vessel, the crew, the
weather, the water, the stuff upon which the water lies and the hard stuff
around the edges of the water.

That's not cruising, that's voyaging. Of course voyaging is part of
cruising, but only a part. Uneventful? No, that would be BOR-ING!

Now that is somthing an amature would say. Why does everything have to
be a 3 ring circus? For me pure joy is having everything go as
expected. Its called being in the grove by some. Ask any professional
mariner if they want a bunch of excitment on the boat.....


Some, if not most, voyages will be eventful for one reason or another,

I dis agree. Only the baffoons will rejoyce and go runing telling
everyone how they ****ed up and closely missed diaster by only afew
inches. WHen I hear that bilge I glaze over with as I do when I hear,
"... we are living our dream...."


3) When cruising you should remain as inconspicuous as possible at all
times. This includes while underway and entering and exiting ports of call.
This also includes anchoring. If anybody's head pops out of a nearby
companionway or hatch to see what all the commotion is about as you pass by
or anchor you are doing something wrong.

I think I agree. Not so much with that "inconspicuous as possible"
part, but yes with the "head pops" part.

Back packers have two rules.............
1) DO NO HARM
2) LEAVE NO TRACE

Now why cant boaters have that same philosophy?





I can't agree at all with #5. If somebody just has to have total quiet
they can go find it someplace else.

typical thoughts of an asshole. ANd how do your land neighbors next
door get along with that ?



They certainly aren't going to
find it at any fairly crowded anchorage.

no wonder so many in the world hates americans. Just think Rodney
Dangerfield in Caddy Shack.



7) Leave the barking dogs and crying babies at home.

That's simply not possible for some folks. Excessive barking or crying
is something that can and should be taken care of.

Yes, its called gaining parenting skills or get a vasectomy.
and no im not advocating "disciplining" your children. Which most
people interpret as spanking which I call assault.


To be honest, if money wasn't a
consideration I think I'd really enjoy cruising aboard a 90-foot,
45-knot motor yacht!

Guilty as charged.............. that is why youre one of those horses'
ass neighbors that cruisers/voyagers/mariners avoid. Your noisy,
unattentive of your vessel and would rather have a barge for a party
platform.

Wilbur Hubbard

Rick Morel

BOb