How Dad is doing
31 August 2011 | Pacific
Sean
I keep getting inquiries asking how Dad is doing. No one seems interested in HOW I'M DOING, so let me give you an update on the John Glen of the sailing world.
First, let me assure you that dad is doing well. He's stepped up since Tim has left and has been doing a lot of the cooking and cleaning. He also has been really nice to me because as he says, "You're my only chance at getting home."
Dad still struggles with basic sailing terminology and has trouble hearing. I've had to rush out on deck a few times because the autopilot had lost steerage and dad can't hear the alarm. We often have trouble communicating when it goes to handling the lines on the boat. The engine's been on a lot lately, which doesn't help, and our conversations usually go like this:
Sean: Dad! Release the main halyard (the line that pulls the main sail up and down). Dad: What?! [Sean is being tossed all over the deck and has death grip on boom.] Sean: TIGHTEN THE BOOM BRAKE! TIGHTEN THE BOOM BRAKE! (the line that prevents the boom from swinging) Dad: The main halyard is the black line right? [Sean still being thrown around the deck, works his way to the mast to avoid swinging boom] Sean: FORGET THE MAIN HALYARD! TIGHTEN THE BOOM BRAKE! Dad: What? Boom brake? Which line is that? Sean: IT'S THE BLUE LINE! [Dad makes his way to the port side of the cockpit (the wrong side)] NO DAD! WAIT! THE OTHER BLUE LINE! Dad: What?! Sean: WHAT?! Dad: I can't hear you! Sean: THE OTHER BLUE LINE. [Dad tightens blue line] OKAY! NOW RELEASE THE MAIN HALYARD! Dad: That's the black line right?
And so it goes... Usually we have a Leave It To Beaver moment when it's all over.
Dad: You know Wally... Sean: You mean Sean. Dad: Oh yeah. You know Sean, all of this could have been avoided if we would have talked about what we were going to do first. Sean: But Dad! We did talk about it first! I told you everything that we had to do. Dad: You know... [chuckles to himself] this reminds me of when I was in the Air Force...
We're getting better, and the above example occurred in no wind (and may have been slightly exaggerated). We've had to do the above several times now and Dad at least knows what blue line to pull.
Dad's a champ though. He's been in a great mood and is a big help on watches. Often times he takes a double shift just so I can get some additional sleep. He's figured out some ingenious ways to keep the rain off of us and makes sure that the boat stays picked up. He's also been very encouraging after I make some bonehead mistake (which I won't get into, because I'm writing the blog). Lastly, he's organized all the tools and can find the tool that I need in a snap. It's a much better organizational method than I was using - throwing everything into one big bag. I have been admonished several times for not putting my books away and "letting the ship go to pot."
So there you have it!
Quick update!
We lost the engine twice yesterday because of water in our fuel. I've bleed the Racor several times and everything seems to be working much better now. There's a sickly feeling that comes over you when you hear the engine die. I don't like that sound.
We're currently motoring to 10N where our weather router told us to go. There we'll get clearance to cross into the hurricane zone and make way for Hawaii! Dad and I are very excited to make our turn. Don't tell the weather guy that we're 100 miles west of where we're supposed to be. Shhh.... It's a secret!
Thanks again everyone for their thoughts, comments, and especially those prayers!
Sean