Last week began with our extra beds occupied and a house filled with laughter during a sibling sleepover.
Monday I had my first sailboat experience as a passenger on the 21 foot, “Huhn Wetter” captained by my big brother. He trailered her to our lake for a couple days visit.
The sailing adventure was extra special because there was five siblings onboard. To bad the other two stayed ashore.
It was also Brother’s first official day of retirement. What better way for him to start a new chapter of his life than giving many of us our first ride on his pride and joy.
Have you ever walked a dock reading boat names?
They Intrigue me, and I often wonder the reasons behind them.
Names usually represent someone special to the owner, a favorite quote or cliché, or they may reference a goal, a dream or a destiny.
“Huhn Wetter” is named in memory of our mother. These two German words were one of her favorite muttered curses. A habit passed down from her mother and one shared with her sisters.
Why would anyone use curse words to name their boat?
Hold on, I’ll explain.
“Huhn Wetter,” translated means, “Chicken Weather.”
Yes, our mother had a real potty mouth. (Smiley Face)
Sailing has no history amidst our immediate family, so my brother is sure when he bought this boat he heard our mother curse his new hobby. She wasn’t a water fan, and she always worried about us kids’ safety.
The gang woke on Tuesday to clouds, wind and a coat wearing chill, so the boat stayed in the marina. Three of us girls went beach combing for driftwood in the morning getting quite a haul for a sister’s lamp making project. By the afternoon the boys suffering with cabin fever went out and worked on the boat trailer.
Wednesday once the morning fog cleared, and the sun came out, Captain Brother, his wife, and I went for another sail. He had me man the rudder while he raised the sails. Once done he surprised me when I went to move for him to take over, and he said, “Nope, she’s all yours.”
He explained how to make slight shifts in the boats course to catch the breeze instead of us swinging the sails, and how to watch the dangling string on the front sail as a guide. I steered for a spell, and even managed a turn, but when we caught stronger winds and picked up speed, I chickened out and handed her back to her rightful captain.
Mister and I own a pontoon boat which we’ve enjoyed for years, and I doubt we would ever trade. Now, I can understand though what about sailing appeals to my brother. It’s the peace and quiet. Here’s to him for learning the skill.
I would consider learning the craft if the mast was maybe 6’ high making the sail’s surface small enough that the boat would stay rowing speed slow. Something about being at the weather’s mercy and being so tall when the boat lists that would take me time to get use to. No matter how many times the brother says they wouldn’t sink even if they fill with water. Laying over or flipping really doesn’t sound fun to me, either.
Since the sleepover had seven participants, I thought it would be fun to match each of us to a Disney’s Seven Dwarf character. It got complicated though. I could have assigned, Sleepy, Sneezy and Doc, but none of us are Bashful, and if I labeled someone Grumpy or Dopey, I would get in trouble. Plus, all of us qualified to be, Happy, so it wouldn’t have been fair to choose only one.
Could you match your siblings to any of Disney’s Seven Dwarfs?
Have you ever been on a sailboat?
I have no clue how to operate a sail boat, but my favorite thing to do on Marco Island is go on a shelling cruise in a sailboat. It’s just as much fun to sail as it is to look for shells!
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I could beach comb for hours, everyday if I lived near the ocean. 🙂
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“Chicken Feather” — love it!!
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Sounds like a great thing to share with your siblings! Loved the story of the boat’s name – I always wonder about those, too.
Kathrin — http://mycupofenglishtea.wordpress.com/
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It was special, and thanks. I would really like to hear the stories behind some of the names. 🙂
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Sounds like you enjoyed your time with your siblings. I fell in love with sailing tooling around the San Diego bay with my friend in her dingy. I love the quiet and how the wind reacts with the sail to propel the boat across the water. Wish I could sail more often.
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I bet sailing a coast area like San Diego would be great. Maybe sailing again should be your next hobby. 🙂
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I would love it. Only one problem. How do I fit it in between travel, writing, photography, and all the other things I want to do? I need more hours in the day.
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More hours in a day would be nice.
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We’ve gone on some shelling cruises in Florida on a sail boat, and it was fun, since we had a guy who knew how to sail it. I actually liked it better than the fast speedboats!
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Shelling cruises sound interesting. 🙂 Yes, i’m not a v-hull speed boat type of person.
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Sounds like great fun. I had a sailboat when my wife and I first got married. It was fun, but not so much for her. Also, it was a lot of work. I’m not sure what the ratio of days working on the boat to days sailing on the boat, but it was too high to really enjoy.
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Glad to hear you were able to enjoy sailing for a time, it really is something to experience. I was shocked at how much work is was to set up the masts and stuff after the drive here. Sometimes hobbies do end up taking a lot of time. The brother worked all winter, repainting, fixing this, replacing this cable or that pulley. I kind of like the jump in and go type of boating. 🙂
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What a great way to start retirement!!!!! There’s a goal right there. 🙂
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We always need goals and dreams, that’s part of staying young at heart.
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We do indeed. And I plan on staying young like that. 🙂
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It beats getting old, our bodies do that fast enough. 😊
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Sounds like a fun day! LOL at your Mom’s favorite phrase.
7 dwarfs? Hmm.. I think all of us fit all of them at one time or another. 🙂
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It was fun, and very true, it depends on the moment as to what dwarf any of us would be. 🙂
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