SPARS & SPARRING

Living Aboard a Piece of Maritime History

Mar 26, 2024

These stories often come to me out of the darkest darkness, late at night, on watch, when the sound of the unseen sea can be either unpredictably raucous or quietly hypnotic, when the motion of the vessel can either rock you gently to sleep or jolt you awake, adrenaline flowing. I couldn’t possibly hit all the right keys under the latter conditions, so the ideas are jotted down to be expanded upon later, as the sun rises and hot, sweet coffee fills my veins. Living on the water makes the words, the lessons, the experiences, inexplicably flow from fingers to keyboard.

I live aboard STEADFAST, a 56 foot Classic Wooden Sailing Yacht. You don’t have to be a Sailor to follow my passages or the passages I’ll write about them; I’m not sure I’m a true Sailor, yet. After four years, I learn something every day; my respect grows and my passion multiplies; the more I learn, the more I see. If you are a Sailor, you know the power of nature and you’ll truly understand my awe. The more I know the more I want to know; the waters we travel upon are both powerful and mysterious.

Mother Nature is unpredictable and in charge of my life.

No exaggeration. She confronts, comforts and confounds with sometimes wonderful, sometimes untenable, circumstances. Every day, without fail, we watch, listen, learn, protect, adjust, imagine and plan for the next challenge. Some days we sail in gentle breezes atop calm waters and soak up her essential sunshine, peering through the depths at starfish and dolphins. Other days her waters are opaque, threatening and dangerous, showing no one what secrets lie beneath the surface.

This ninety-year-old vessel and I constantly SPAR WITH MOTHER NATURE. Every storm, every passage, every anchorage, every lobster that evades us, every fish that feeds us, every barnacle that adheres itself to our hull with more strength than any other bond on earth. We practice surviving and thriving under her conditions by following her rules, which take a lifetime to learn. We utilize the physics of opposing forces, and struggle to remain in control, defend our decisions or turn back, knowing that particular round was lost. No one always prevails against Mother Nature’s jousting. Even on peaceful days, we are wary of her next move, and even sunshine burns if you get too much.

Webster says to spar(n) is “to practice, to oppose, to strike, to struggle.” Wikipedia defines sparring(v) as “making the motions of attack and defense.” Interestingly, all of the masts and booms on sailing vessels are called spars; the double entendre is enticing. We are always SPARRING, and spars are strong, essential components of STEADFAST; they hold up her sails and rigging, maintaining safety, direction and propulsion as desired.

I’m honored you’re here and will do my very best to explain, convey and share the somewhat mysterious and misunderstood intricacies of living aboard on the water. Our home is constantly exposed to, and needs to be protected from, the most damaging elements on earth; water, salt, sun, and wind. I would be honored if you would join me as STEADFAST and I, with common sense, the essential guidance of Steve, and the ability to swim, continue SPARRING WITH MOTHER NATURE. ~J

Once you subscribe, future editions will be sent directly to your in-box. Some of my inspiration is quick and compulsive, and some of these ideas build and build until they pound around inside my brain and I simply have to put them into print. People have requested that I share my work, and this no-ad format is the culmination of that decision. WELCOME ABOARD MY ‘STACK!

Fully intrigued? I hope so. Try this one next, it’s a favorite.