Out to Pasture 2022
On June 25th, 2022, the Lillian B sailed back into Rockport Harbor, Maine, completing her year-long circumnavigation of the North Atlantic. It was to be the last of her over 30,000 miles of blue-water voyages. Travelling around the Atlantic I’d compiled a mental list of repairs and upgrades: new sails, engine maintenance, a refrigerator/freezer that could actually make ice, a new head, state-of-the-art radar, and a face-lift for her well-worn brightwork. In anticipation of her transition to coastal cruising the life-raft was removed along with other offshore equipment like the Jordan drogue, the water-maker, and the self-steering rig that hung off the stern like a small jungle-gym.
Bluewater sailing creates unforgettable experiences. It literally broadens your horizons and can take you to locations unobtainable by land or air. It introduces you to a community of unique individuals and characters who, in some cases, seem to have forsaken life on land completely. It can be inspirational and sometimes spiritual, as when alone on watch in the middle of the night you mark the path of Jupiter across the night sky. But despite its attributes, I would not call blue-water sailing relaxing. I remember the distinct sensation of relief decades ago when, after a seven-month voyage from Maine to Tahiti to California, the boat was secured on land at the KKMI boatyard in San Francisco. Without realizing they’d been otherwise, I could feel my shoulders physically relaxed.
Not being relaxed is not a bad quality when out on the ocean. Any boating has its risks, but offshore sailing carries additional risks due to factors like night operations, unfamiliar waters, variable weather that you can’t outrun, and being far from help in the case of an accident or medical event. It’s only prudent to constantly be thinking about a plan B for whatever worse case might occur. The risks are mitigated by having a solid well-equipped boat, but things inevitably go wrong, especially as the boat and crew get older. Bluewater sailing requires thoughtful preparation and extended time away from home. Having accumulated 30,000 miles of offshore voyages, I felt a little been-there/done-that and ready for more relaxed, shorter trips. The coast of Maine offers a lifetime of exploring islands and towns. And you can still mark the path of Jupiter at night.