What if continued.
What if… I didn’t convey my thoughts clearly enough in yesterday’s post?
After re-reading what I wrote, and reviewing some of the feedback here and on our Facebook page, I think that some people may have interpreted my post to only be about redundant systems. While having backups available in the event of a system failure is certainly part of what I was getting at, that was not really the entire thing, even though the two examples I cited may have led people to think that’s what I meant.
What I was really talking about was the value of being aware of the possibilities in certain situations, and making choices based upon this awareness. Here are a few other examples:
- This looks like a great anchor spot but WHAT IF the wind changes direction during the night, where will our boat end up facing?
- While close hauled we can definitely make it past that obstruction but WHAT IF we get a header*?
- In the current conditions we can definitely make it to our intended anchorage but WHAT IF the weather deteriorates?
As you can see, none of the above scenarios relate to equipment failures. When the questions are asked they at least prompt one to consider a Plan B, if not reconsider the situation altogether.
Look closely… don’t these fish look awfully happy about something?
As was mentioned in one of comments on yesterday’s post, it is possible to overanalyze things, to the point that one can become fearful of ever leaving the dock. I’m sure anyone who is reading this blog knows that we could never be lumped into that category of boater. We do endeavor to make prudent choices though, based upon the careful consideration of the foreseeable possibilities. That is what I was really trying to convey.
Anyway, on a much more fun subject, please check out the following workout video that Rebecca and I shot upon our return to Hog Island. The video features our new aeroSling Elite. If you enjoy it, please comment on Youtube and share the video with your friends!
*A header is a wind shift towards the bow (front) of the boat. When close hauled, sailing as close to the wind as possible, a header would force the sailor(s) to tack the boat. The opposite of a header, a lift, is a wind shift towards the stern (rear) of the boat.
I believe a good cruiser will always ask the “What If” questions. That’s probably a big part of why ZTC is still cruising without any serious problems. We’re gonna try to be “good cruisers”, so we’ll be asking ourselves all sorts of questions … probably too many in the beginning! =)
Good mariner, as in anyone operating a boat on the water.
I thought you did make your post clear.
And the replies were in kind too.
Anyway, you have made it clearer now.
The video is good, and is enough to put me off sailing if I had to go back to doing that!!!! 🙂
The picture of the smiling fish balances it though!
Cheers
Thanks
Mike
🙂
I think I got it the first time.
But next time I too will have a little Honda 2000!
An anchor ready to go at ALL times, shouldn’t even have to be mentioned, really!
Not all boats have an anchor which is easily deployed. Ours is, which always factors into our backup plan when near shore.
You were clear. It’s a simple concept. Like anythimg, you can go too far with it, to the point you don’t enjoy sailing and limit yourself too much. You can find that mentality on sailing forums.
What capability does ZTC have on one engine? By the way we are seeing many big sailboats passing here heading south, and a good percentage, if not most, have Ontario home ports.
Without adverse wind and current, we can easily do 5 knots or better on one engine and 6 or better on both.