My first boat was an Islander 21 ("Mare Tranquilitatis"). When I got her, she was already old, I was still young, but it was the most exhilarating romance: I'd go out to the mooring, and there she was waiting for me, insulating me, rocking me, and comforting me.
It was either just me, or the three of us. The other two were Chrissy and Samuel B. Cohen, my wonderful dogs (Shepherd/Lab mixes, one black, and one golden) who sailed with me, and kept me great company.
The second boat was a Bristol 24 ("Nautigal")! Chrissy and Sammy were already in dog heaven, but instead it was Sara and the three kids (Keiko, Makoto, and Daniel) that would come along. We added a NAVIK windvane steering system, and we'd be on our merry ways, each Summer! Alas, the kids had the audacity to grow up but along the way became fine sailors, themselves ... and SCUBA divers, and swimmers .....
The third boat is a Catalina 30 ("Afternoon Tea"). She has ample space. All of a sudden we have a quiet Diesel pushing us out of the harbor, the lines are routed into the cockpit, and the dinner plates -instead of being delicately balanced on your knees- are placed beautifully, comfortably, and solidly on a nice wooden table in the cockpit.
Not only do we have showers - we have HOT showers!
Civilization has finally caught up with us ....
