Jim's probably the crew member that I relate most closely with, although I didn't expect to when I first got acquainted with him. I gather he was basically canvassing possible boats to crew on for the trip south and had come aboard Mabrouka to check her out.

Most people comment on how pretty she is. That always surprises me because, like a teenager, I am dreadfully aware of how woefully I maintain her complexion. However, underneath she has beautiful lines and a great Bill Garden pedigree that shines through her flaking varnish and blotchy gel coat. Anyway, Jim didn't comment on that, apparently seeing through the skin to the old girl's bones and organs. He asked probing questions about had I done this and had I thought about that? As I recall I was pretty worn out at that particular time and was dreadfully aware through my mental fog that my answers were not likely to impress. Embarrassment comes to mind. Afterwards I was pretty sure he'd be the last person to sign on for the San Francisco run, ...but he did.

Although Jim's been around boats since he was knee high to a guppy, his offshore sailing pedigree wasn't particularly extensive. He'd been on the delivery crew for Neptune's Car, a go-fast/tourist attraction on the Seattle waterfront, when it was brought up the coast to San Francisco, so that put a tic mark in the plus column for experience with west coast sailing the hard way, northbound. He was trained as a boatwright by the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, another tic in the plus column. Mabrouka's not made of wood, but has plenty of wooden fittings, so his appreciation of wood work if not his specific expertise earned him a warm spot in my heart and did, indeed, come in handy on board when the main mast's starboard spreader needed to be replaced. Mostly, though, I thought his probing insight might uncover some important issues to address, so I decided to invite him along. It flattered me to have him agree.

As with the rest of my crew, Jim's motivations were to get experience with the Seattle-to-San Francisco run for his own transit with next year's Hoho. He's been building out his own Northsea 27 for several years and is about ready to set off cruising in it himself. Manwe is a beautiful showcase for Jim's craftsmanship. Here's a great picture of her with Jim and his honey, Max, at the Coho raft-up in July. The boat came with basically just the hull, the deck and a few internal bulkheads. Jim's arranged the interior very thoughtfully and fitted her with wonderful wood trim throughout. Beautiful.



Jim and I started to bond on our trip to Port Ludlow with Ed. As I've described Ed previously, I won't go into additional detail. It's just that, as entertaining as Ed can be, the intensity of his quirkiness can get a bit annoying from time to time, so Jim and I learned to buff the edges off with knowing chuckles and little asides to one another at Ed's expense. (No offense Ed. We love you!)

Here's a note to Max: Jim misses you. I can tell. When you get him on the phone he disappears up forward or, if we're tied up, goes for a little stroll in search of privacy. He always comes back with a smile on his face. I can tell he's supremely entertained by and proud of you, so whatever you're doing, you're doing it just right.

If it can be imagined, Jim is even more easy going than I am. At one point on the sail to San Francisco, Robert and I had a pretty intense head-to-head. That doesn't happen often with me, but you can only push me so far, especially when I'm stressed out. Anyway, Jim made a good arbiter. He's also served me well in reminding me to tend to priorities and get the right things done at the right time in the right way. Thanks, Jim.