The begining of the end of our time with the Wings began when we loaded the boat onto the ship for her transit to the PNW. For both Terry and I it was an emotional moment. Although this was not the end, it had more of an impact on me than at any other time. Having sailed this boat for close to 20,000 miles and thru most any weather you can imagine how one can get attached. Wings has been my life for over three years. She has been at times a great deal of hard work and at other times a great joy as she would log off the ocean miles under her keel. She has developed her own following in many of the different ports we have visited and spent time. At this time she is missed in Rockland ME. I have had many people come by the public landing where I am currently aboard my boat the Coriolis. They would recognize me and ask where is the Wings? Although I am happy to report that she is safely home with her owners and family in the San Jaun Islands of the PNW, there is a part of me that is sad she is not here.
I have struggled with writing this blog for a few weeks now. I have wanted to put down my thoughts about life as a professional yacht skipper. One of the most difficult questions I am asked is where do you live. I have all kinds of different answers for that question. None of which really address the core of the question. Examples of this answer are, the east coast, the western atlantic, this boat, my drivers licence tells me I am from Florida. Yes I am from Florida at this time. One does need a base to catch some mail and a place to send some to. This is all part of the commitment it takes to do this line of work. When one is running a boat, the job is not 9-5. In reality it is 24-7. In many respects it is difficult to leave the vessel unless it is in a boat yard and on the hard. I have been fortunate in some respects that my employers are very accomplished yachtsmen. When they would come to use the boat we would get a break as they would prefer to sail alone or with their guests.
So at this time I find myself at a turning point in my career. In all of the endeavors I have undertaken in life I have not found one I love to do more than being the skipper of a private yacht. I love the challenges one faces on a daily basis with respect to the complexity inherent in a large sailing vessel. The planning involved in order to meet the schedules of the owners. The planning involved in order to effect a cost effective yard period. The maintainence involved to keep her looking good and running right. The planning involved to take care of the ships stores and spares. Running a sailing vessel that is sailing thousands of miles on a yearly basis is not unlike running a small business.
During my time with the Wings we have seen some amazing places and have met some amazing people along the way. The sailing community is a unique and special collection of boats and people. Some are professional (ie Captains of other yachts doing it for a living) and others are true cruisers who are out there living their dreams. In some respects we all have a common thread, the joy of sailing.
As I leave the San Jaun Islands and the Wings on her dock I have a wonderful feeling of having competed the circle with this boat. I have worked hard to bring her back to her beautiful look she always had. I have wonderful warm feelings for my employer. I could not have worked for better people and I thank them for this opportunity. I look forward to the new adventure and responsibility that lies ahead for us this fall in Europe. In the short term I will enjoy a few weeks of R&R cruising aboard the Coriolis. The Coriolis Effect will continue on as we move forward in this life we live. I wish the owners of the Wings many continued adventures and safe passages with this wonderful boat. I look forward to hearing about the adventures of the kids and the grandkids as they sail this boat into the future. As she did for us she will always bring them home safely.
Fair Winds Wings we will miss you.
