Guest Blogger Adds Perspective....

My good friend and fellow sailor Al, from Melbourne FL, has provided an important viewpoint on my last post, which I'm quite pleased to reproduce here.

THE SAILING LIFE...

I liked your article. Nonetheless, I do offer a counterpoint, just to keep everyone from jumping on their boats and sailing off into the sunset.

I guess that for some reason or other, most people, at some point in their lives, think the Tom Sawyer or Henry David Thoreu lifestyle seems much more appealing that their current lifestyle. I think I may have dreamed those dreams myself at various crossroads in my life. Everyone cannot live that Tom Sawyer lifestyle for any number of reasons. Those that do, as you have chosen to do, are enriched by multitudes of friends, beautiful experiences, and so forth, as you mention in your writing. The "Tom Sawyers" , however, are enabled by those who remain in their daily routines and create, produce, teach, protect, build..... you get the drift of this, I'm sure. My early jobs of delivering newspapers, and clerking in soda fountains were mundane, but necessary for society to function. My professional jobs as a chemist helped to create more reliable US Navy shells for ships guns (stopping unplanned explosions) aboard ships. Just about everyone that is productive in our job-oriented society is "enabling" those in our society that are unproductive. 

I do not mean that 'wanderlust' in unproductive.. it is not. Unproductive members are those that sit on their lazy rear-ends and live off the rest of us. We all know who those are. 

Your writings and friendships are productive in that they teach those of us that can learn from you. You are actually an educator, speaker and an activist of sorts. You enrich folks lives. Many who have gone before you years ago, still today provide us with writings and tales to learn from. 

I have chosen to remain a landlubber but I take great satisfaction in helping my son achieve his goals. I like helping... its a good feeling, as you surely know. A couple years ago, we went and painted a friends house while he was fishing in Alaska. It needed done, but he was not of a mind to undertake the project. His wife, who stayed home from the fishing trip, supervised the job. There are a lot of support people living the landlubber life that provide services to those 'full-time' cruisers. From medical professionals to marine professionals... those are the people that "enable" the "Tom Sawyers."

Look forward to seeing you.

Regards,

Al

One of my greatest concerns is my 'karma'. Now before anyone thinks I'm going all TM on you, what I mean is that I am constantly the beneficiary of the kindness of folks such as Al and his wife Joyce. I figure I am so far behind on my own 'good deeds' that I'm going to have to live nearly forever to catch up. 

This blog is, in fact, a 'payback' of sorts. I hope to share, help, inspire, encourage, entertain, even enable and otherwise educate people about this lifestyle, and I often wonder if it counts in my favour at all as I enjoy doing this so much. 

If it's good for you, does it count in your favour, or does it go in the credit column and you have to work harder still? Talk about an existentialist conundrum!

Meet Al Harmon, helping me with some work on my boat at his home in Melbourne FL last winter

Anyhow, Al and his wife Joyce are 'helping' people, or, as he says, 'enablers', although that does make us 'Tom Sawyer' types sound like we have a problem, doesn't it? If the truth were known, there are many enablers out there as any cruising sailor can tell you. 

In fact, this lifestyle would be so much more difficult without the folks who - in no particular order - loan their car, truck, offer up their washing machine, shower, warm bed (keep the minds out of the gutter please, lol), tools, and much, much more. 

At some future point, I'm going to dedicate a post to the folks like Al and Joyce, who provide the grease (and margueritas) that lubricate this lifestyle. Margueritas? Oh yes, Joyce makes a fabulous marguerita, and I'm looking forward to enjoying one in the fairly near future.

Back to the Boat

Nothing like a mini vacation in a world class hotel, room service (oh yea!), limitless hot showers, huge and comfortable bed ;>) in fact, all the comforts of 'normal' life. But when your 'normal' life is lived on a sailboat, the sterility of hotel living feels a bit odd. To be honest, it's nice to be back on the boat, waking up to sunrises peeking in the companionway and the gentle sway of the boat in the water and the wind soughing through the rigging, the sound of dolphins blowing outside as they fish near the boat.
Sure, there are challenges - when the tide is low, it's a bit of a nuisance to get on and off, especially with Aduana the WonderPuppy® to deal with. When it gets cold, keeping the boat warm is not as simple as pushing some buttons on a thermostat. Then there's dealing with the humidity on cold weather days if, as I am, you're not further south by now...it's simply not as easy, but it has its rewards. One of those is that I haven't held a snow shovel in my hands in over ten years. Cutting the lawn? Well, I do have to dive to scrape barnacles from the hull every couple of months, but it's hardly the same thing.
Kidding aside though, freedom is the biggest reward. I pretty much live my life as I choose to. I often have people say to me that I'm so fortunate to be able to do this. I hear that most often from very wealthy people; interestingly enough they are people who could afford to do what I do far more easily if their wealth hadn't made them prisoners to their lifestyle.
What most don't understand is that freedom is a choice, and anyone can make it. But - it requires some courage and, like with most choices, there is a price to be paid. Most people are not willing to make those choices, they prefer the rut they live in...forgetting that the only difference between a rut and a grave is that the grave has ends on all four side of it rather than just two. Think about that if you would.

I've chosen to give up the regular working world, the commute to an office (in this case, my newspaper business), a regular paycheque. I've also given up having a regular circle of friends whom I could see regularly for a much larger circle of friends strung out from Northern and Central Ontario in Canada to as far away as Australia and South Africa. Some of those I may see only every few years, but one of the interesting aspects of this lifestyle is that these folks truly are close friends, despite the distance.
Unlike many who live and travel on their boats with a retirement package or accumulated wealth, I continue to work in the media field, my former occupation. Now however, I work for boating publications, create videos about sailing and, when the opportunity comes up, do boat deliveries, charters or teach. My life is my work is my life. The important thing is that I enjoy it. 
I'm doing what I enjoy, and I enjoy what I'm doing. I'm not getting rich, but I have food and beer in the fridge, a glass of wine in my hand as I write this, diesel in the tank, and no fear of starving or running short. The wind is still free. How much more do you really need?
My father used to tell me as I was growing up that life was short, that you should do what makes you happy. His phrase was "You're a long time dead" and it was many years before I figured out what he really meant by that. Others have said that you'll never see the phrase "I should have worked more" on anyone's gravestone. I do believe that's true, and I never have seen it. Have you?
Let me ask each one of you - and you don't have to answer me of course, but you'll tell yourself the truth as you read this question: do you really enjoy what you're doing with your life? If you had a choice between working and doing what makes you happy, what would you choose?
I know some of you well enough to know what your answer is, we've talked about it. I know some of you well enough to guess what your answer would be if we did talk about it. And I know some of you have never thought about this. I can tell you now, I wish someone had put these kinds of questions in front of me as a young man. Or, perhaps someone did and I simply wasn't listening. When you're young, that happens.
Still, ask yourself, will more money than you have now make your life better? Or is money just a heavy link in a chain shackling you to a life you don't enjoy all that much?  
How much would you give to spend every single evening for the next year looking at the sun going down somewhere behind your boat, casting gold and bronze rays along the surface of the water...and then wake up to a beautiful sunrise and know that the only person in the entire world that you have to answer to is....you?

Most of us are part of a generation that revered freedom growing up in the 60s and 70s, sang songs about it, swore it was how we would live. 
It seems we've forgotten our dreams. I'm here to tell you, it isn't too late.
As Mark Twain said -  

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed 
by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. 
So throw off the bowlines...
Sail away from the safe harbor...
Catch the trade winds in your sails...

Explore. Dream. Discover.

The Toronto Boat Show....

....always a great time, this boat show was no different, with only a different cast of characters. A busy and fun time, despite the mother of all colds, from which I'm still recovering. Nothing like trying to do a two hour seminar when you can't breathe....but we perservered, and the crowds were gentle with me.
I'm recovering tonight with a swim and hot sauna here at the Westin Harbourcastle, and a nice bottle of wine, listening to some great sailing music on YouTube - here are tonight's hits, so you can listen along - some of the best tall ship video I've ever seen, with Jimmy singing a hit not heard nearly often enough... and I think this video will have special appeal to an imp from Newfoundland whose father was a sea captain...

Here's another classic, to my mind one of the best sailing songs ever - when you close your eyes, you can almost feel yourself on board the ship....Loggins and Messina, and if your momma's not dancin',it's because she's hard a'lee to this tune....
And last, but surely not least, one of my favourite, if not all time favourite sailing tunes....I was playing this as I sailed past Christian Island in Georgian Bay last summer...one day I'll upload that video for you....in the meantime, enjoy, and - thanks Gord! More on the boat show, next post.

Heading to the Boat Show...

Boat Show to do list for all you Pirates and Pirate Wenches...

Passport √ 
Money √ 
 Seminar materials √ 
Charts for seminars √ 
Laptop √ 
Camera √ 
Money √ 
Tidied up boat √ 
Properly tied up boat √ 
Money √ 
Dog's papers √ 
Boarding pass √
More money √ 
Dog's food, leash, etc. √ 
Laundry √ 
Socks √ 
Underwear (clean!) √ 
Haircut √ 
Still more money √ 
iPhone √ 
Winter clothing √ 
Dog √ 

Amended Boat Show to do list 

Money √√√ 
Passport √ 
Dog √

Twice Amended Boat Show to do list 

Head south to islands... √



 See YOU! at the Toronto Boat Show, January 12 - 20. Check out my seminar schedule here

Most amazing dolphin video....

It's really hard not to be amazed at this video...if I never ever again post anything, you'll always remember me for this one, it's stunning. I have NEVER, in my entire life, been as fascinated/astounded and charmed as by what you're about to see....



Now wasn't that just as good as I said it would be?

For those who are considering coming to the Toronto Boat Show, I've copied my seminar schedule below - if we haven't met, be sure to introduce yourself please!
If we have met, perhaps we can do lunch? Dinner? A brew at the show? Two brews? Ok, three, but that's it!  
A shame there's no IHOP in Toronto, great breakfasts. I'll have a double Tooty Fruity whatever the heck that breakfast is called, thank you, we'll just have to run down to Buffalo!
By the way, there's what looks to be an excellent seminar on choosing your first boat, it's on Saturday and Sunday at 3, then Thursday and again on the closing Sunday, given by the Canadian Power Squadron. Ought to be a worthwhile seminar for those thinking of eventually buying a boat. I'll probably take it in myself to see what they recommend, so if you plan on checking it out, let me know.
P.S. click here for the entire seminar schedule
 
Here's my seminar schedule...and yes, there are two, two hour ICW presentations included in this series - that's my new seminar, designed for those who are heading south in the next year to two years. Lots of great new information on the ICW, plus must have material on anchorages, problem spots and destinations.

12:00pm Sunday, Jan. 13
Presentation Theatre
Wally Moran
Sailing South - First Timers' Guide to the ICW
International cruising sailor. Writer for Waterway Guide & SAIL Magazine. Sponsored by Waterway Guide
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
5:00pm Monday, Jan. 14
Presentation Theatre
Wally Moran
Forbidden Paradise - Cruising Coastal Cuba
International cruising sailor. Writer for Waterway Guide & SAIL Magazine. Sponsored by Waterway Guide
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
2:00pm - 4-00pm Tuesday, Jan. 15
Presentation Theatre
Wally Moran
ICW (Part 1): Tips and Techniques
International cruising sailor. Writer for Waterway Guide & SAIL Magazine. Sponsored by Waterway Guide

3:00pm Tuesday, Jan. 15
Presentation Theatre
Wally Moran
ICW (Part 2): Destinations, Anchorages and Problem Areas
International cruising sailor. Writer for Waterway Guide & SAIL Magazine. Sponsored by Waterway Guide
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
2:00pm Wednesday, Jan. 16
Presentation Theatre
Wally Moran
Forbidden Paradise - Cruising Coastal Cuba
International cruising sailor. Writer for Waterway Guide & SAIL Magazine. Sponsored by Waterway Guide
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
5:00pm Thursday, Jan. 17
Presentation Theatre
Wally Moran
ICW (Part 1): Tips and Techniques
International cruising sailor. Writer for Waterway Guide & SAIL Magazine. Sponsored by Waterway Guide
6:00pm
Presentation Theatre
Wally Moran
ICW (Part 2): Destinations, Anchorages and Problem Areas
International cruising sailor. Writer for Waterway Guide & SAIL Magazine. Sponsored by Waterway Guide
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
2:00pm Friday, Jan. 18
Presentation Theatre
Wally Moran
Sailing South - First Timers' Guide to the ICW
International cruising sailor. Writer for Waterway Guide & SAIL Magazine. Sponsored by Waterway Guide
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3:30pm Saturday, Jan. 19
Salon 107
Wally Moran
Forbidden Paradise - Cruising Coastal Cuba
International cruising sailor. Writer for Waterway Guide & SAIL Magazine. Sponsored by Waterway Guide
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
1:00pm
Presentation Theatre
Wally Moran
Sailing South - First Timers' Guide to the ICW
International cruising sailor. Writer for Waterway Guide & SAIL Magazine. Sponsored by Waterway Guide
 

 

The Front of the Ship Fell Off....

You have got to love Australians...if it hadn't been made clear that these are actual politicians, I'd have thought this a comedy routine....watch and enjoy.

 

I'll be back shortly to more personal posts - I'm very busy right now on a writing project, plus preparing for the Toronto Boat Show....hope to see YOU! there. For the seminar schedule, check out Seminar Schedule
If you're planning to head south in the next year or two, make sure you catch my new, two hour seminar. Yeah, I know that's a long time to sit and listen to me, but I promise to make it worthwhile. There will be a limbo contest and belly dance instruction during the break....