Free time…


C.E. Grundler


It doesn’t exist at the moment, at least not for me, but we’ve decided that’s the name of my next boat. It hasn’t been built yet, and would be no more than ten feet, with a single gaff-rigged sail, it would be set up for easy rowing and a three horse outboard, and it would be constructed from all the left-overs from Annabel Lee’s restoration. We’ve come to realize by time we’re done, between salvaged wood, my miscalculation when ordering some fiberglass and resins, (I hate running short mid-project,) and skills we’ve acquired along the way, we’ll have both the supplies and abilities to construct a lovely little tender.  There’s only one thing we’re severely short on, and thus, the name if/when this presently imaginary vessel comes into being.


Judging by the posts here at Write on the Water, I’m not alone, and that makes me feel a bit better. You could say that misery loves company, though I don’t think misery is really the right word. I’d like to believe everyone here is still messing about in boats because, despite their occasional inherent aggravations, in the end the pleasure outweigh the pains. I feel for Mike and Mary and my hopes are that their engine problems are sorted out simply and inexpensively. I wouldn’t wish what I’ve been dealing with upon anyone. Still, those who know me will tell you I’m happiest when I’m working on the boat, and the satisfaction the seemingly endless work brings me is incomparable. But I will also admit there is a side of me that longs for the day when we can start actually using the boat again. Weekends spent afloat, rather than going to battle armed with power tools, clothed in Tyvek haz-mat suits and wrestling wood, glass and resin into the shape of a boat. Using her, cruising, or simply relaxing aboard and going nowhere in particular.  And who knows? If we ever get bored and run out of things to do, (said with a straight face,)  just maybe, over the winter months, we might even decide to build her a pretty little sailing dinghy… in our free time.


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Published on May 31, 2012 05:47
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