The First Day…

Teresa Carey Words 15 Comments

Hours after the sun had risen, with the sails set and monitor wind-vane steering the boat, I went into the cabin to fix myself some breakfast. I pulled out three kiwis, a bowl, knife, cutting board, and a spoon. Braced against the counter with the boat crashing through the waves, I sliced the first kiwi in half and placed the two halves into the bowl. Just as I was about to cut into the second kiwi, THWAK! The noise startled me and I darted through the companionway to see what had happened. The monitor wind-vane failed to keep Daphne on course, and the boat tacked. The jib was back-winded and quickly turning the boat even more off course. I released the jib sheet, spilling the wind, and sending it into a loud, luffing, frenzy. As it luffed and flapped in the wind, it was an agitated voice, sounding off threats that there was more to come.

The wind built stronger and stronger and for the rest of the day I scampered about the deck changing sails, setting the monitor wind-vane, shortening the sails, resetting the monitor wind-vane, trimming the sheets, untangling lines, coiling, lashing, stowing, so that by the end of the day my hands were scraped, my back hurt, and the kiwi was still waiting to be eaten. It rested quietly on the cabin sole where it had fallen. Without even picking it up, I grabbed the lines I needed to secure myself to the mooring in the harbor.

Comments 15

  1. jealous

    Could be sitting quietly in a cubicle, or behind a desk. I’d take flogging sails and malfunctioning monitor any day.
    Keep it up, you’re an inspiration to those of us who cannot yet simplify our lives.

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  3. capn scott

    I’d like to read more about your boat. Love the pilot cutters. How do you maintain her and work on her without a place to work from, or tools, etc?

    I’m currently in the (hopefully) final stages of restoring a small pilot cutter for relaunch within the next month, and it would be a near impossible task without a shop to work out of and tools to work with, and even having all of that to work with its still expensive as all hell just for parts and materials, never mind my (free) labor. LOL!

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    Teresa

    Capn Scott, I can keep all the tools that I need aboard my boat. For larger power tools (table saws, sewing machines, etc) I had a sail loft I was working at with a shop below who kindly allowed me the occasional use of a tool. My boat was in great condition when I got her, and all the upgrades I have been able to do while living aboard. Now that I’m voyaging, I have minor projects here and there but can still do them along the way, sometimes even underway!
    Good luck restoring your boat. Send a picture, I would love to see it!
    Teresa

  5. Kathleen

    Your independent and courageous spirit are a joy to read about. Keep up the posts for the rest of us who are only adventurous in spirit but not in action. How is Dory, and where are you headed?

  6. Lissy

    Hey Theresa! It’s Lissy from the Mabel! I just wanted to say thank you so much for the wonderful trip and I love reading your blog. You should write about us sometime 🙂

  7. webster

    Hey Teresa, I just saw you leaving mill creek on 10.30.09. I work on one of the tugs you passed to port outbound. You have a great looking boat, and I originally searched on the internet just to find out who built her. So by accident I found this great website, I dig what you are doing and I will continue to follow your updates. Could you send the particulars of your vessel. Look forward to hearing from you. Thanks

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