You're going offshore!! - Why??
12 May 2011
That certainly is not an uncommon response upon hearing my summer plans. I also expect it's not an unreasonable question. The answer not surprisingly cannot be answered without some thoughtfulness.
By nature, I expect I am a passage maker in most things that I do. I tend to be goal driven for most things in my life - generally starting with a conceived idea, a learning curve to acquire the skills and a test to see whether or not I've made the grade - and an offshore passage to Hawaii and back seems to fill the bill when it comes to sailing.
It also creates an opportunity to relive experiences from a historical perspective that mariners have been familiar with for a millennium. Although there are certainly more "toys" in today's game , the experience of sailing must essentially be the same, although considerably safer than Columbus's time.
Then again there is the need to be diligent in the logistics and planning for 2300 nautical miles and 3 weeks before landfall - everything from going over the mechanical systems of the boat with a fine tooth comb and ensuring that the boat has the necessary backup systems in case of system failures to considering provisioning of some 500 man-meals (stocking dry-goods for 6 weeks) including adequate water.
There is the anticipation of the experience of being at sea for 3 weeks without any sound other than that of the water rushing past the boat and the absence of anything on the horizon other than emptiness - with the anticipation of seeing land. Just the idea of not being able to smell the earth in itself creates a sense of awareness.
Then again there is the challenge of living with a small group of people in a confined space, creating a team environment, sharing duties and discovering strengths and weaknesses in yourself as you mould into a new life experience.
Just the idea that this is a life experience that can be not understood unless placed in this very environment makes it special in itself.
I have no idea whether or not I will like it or not - and that in itself is part of the mystique of passage making. But I do know one thing - I will be a sailor when I get back!