What Does It Mean To Own A Sailboat?

What Does It Mean To Own A Sailboat? --> BOAT: Bring On Another Thousand

This image was taken just after our engine failed, we started drifting into land and into “NAME GYE” a well known pinned boat outside the Thetis Island Marina. We threw our anchor and started to work on the problem (after I was done panicking).

Without even asking, you’ll hear the answer as soon as you step onto the marina dock: “it’s work and money”. I’m barely exaggerating here. The moment we bought Elizabeth Bennet (EB) and stepped onto her decks, we heard those words from countless different strangers. The funny thing is, is that the words coming out of their mouths were pessimistic, but the way they said it was with pure love and joy. The moment you buy your first boat, you enter into a club. At first those words scare you, and then you realize what they really mean. As long as you sail, the work and money is all worth it. Just don’t forget to sail.

Virg and I have owned Elizabeth Bennet for just short of a year, and we’ve worked on the engine about 90% of that time. About a couple of months ago however, that little two stroke engine knocked our socks off (it literally knocks, it’s basically a clunky lawnmower motor). With a slight turn of the key, that engine lit up, we left the pin EB had been stagnant at for months, and you could literally feel that boat return our love. The moment we left the docks, put up the sails and cut the engine, with sudden silence and so little wind, Elizabeth Bennet still pulled us forward.

There’s a very peculiar kind of relationship when it comes to sailboats. I still remember seeing EB across the marina for the first time, taking my first steps on the deck, looking inside, and seeing her candy cane striped foresail. I loved this boat. Full disclosure. I had never sailed before in my life. I was on a sailboat once before in zero wind. That’s it. I didn’t know if I would get seasick or even like it, but dag nabit I knew I loved this boat. So we bought it anyway, blind as bat.

We had tons of reasons why we shouldn’t, but I have a saying that I tell myself about decisions. There are good decisions, and very bad decisions, and we can’t always tell what to expect from what we decide at the time. But when we invest in our life, lifestyle, experiences, and happiness, it can only go so wrong. Unless of course you put yourself in grave debt, then maybe don’t… But as long as you can manage, take the risk, and buy the things that have even the slightest potential for the highest outputs of happiness.

Even though Virg and I have dedicated the summer to work in the city and fixing all of our broken things (Elizabeth Bennet included), our boat still brings me joy, and so does Dazey! Every time I feel tired or down in the dumps, I think about the fact that we are setting ourselves up for more adventures then a life time can fulfill! How incredible is that! Alaska in EB, Utah in Dazey, etc, and so on!

To quote my grandmothers license plate when she bought her BMW convertible: “WOAH!”. I can’t compete with what this woman accomplished in her lifetime, but I will spend my life trying.