Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
You remember Nelson? You must be older than you look.
Why do I find lo-ooong sailing trips boring?
- Thread starter suse
- Start date
Carolwildbird
Well-Known Member
I've only done 4 days at one stretch so far- and I liked it. Has anyone else found it has strange effects on your psyche?
I found it strangely meditative, almost like an emptying of my mind. At times I felt quite emotional as if I has stripped off layers of psychological protection, and then sort of "mentally purified". I dint really feel a need to"occupy" myself or to pass the time- in fact it became sort of timeless (living in the present?)
In the end I confess I didn't want to arrive. I could have just gone on sailing. Maybe I'll feel differently on a longer passage.
All right you're all going to write me off as whacky now..
I found it strangely meditative, almost like an emptying of my mind. At times I felt quite emotional as if I has stripped off layers of psychological protection, and then sort of "mentally purified". I dint really feel a need to"occupy" myself or to pass the time- in fact it became sort of timeless (living in the present?)
In the end I confess I didn't want to arrive. I could have just gone on sailing. Maybe I'll feel differently on a longer passage.
All right you're all going to write me off as whacky now..
Rowana
Two steps lower than the ships' cat
[ QUOTE ]
I've only done 4 days at one stretch so far- and I liked it. Has anyone else found it has strange effects on your psyche?
I found it strangely meditative, almost like an emptying of my mind. At times I felt quite emotional as if I has stripped off layers of psychological protection, and then sort of "mentally purified". I dint really feel a need to"occupy" myself or to pass the time- in fact it became sort of timeless (living in the present?)
In the end I confess I didn't want to arrive. I could have just gone on sailing. Maybe I'll feel differently on a longer passage.
All right you're all going to write me off as whacky now..
[/ QUOTE ]
Definately not going to write you off as whacky as it's just how I feel myself, but you put it much better !
My longest trip on a saily type boat was Cascais to Lanzagrotty, which was 5 or 6 days if my memory serves me right. The longest I was at sea was when I was in the Merchant Navy, and sailed from Rotterdam to the gulf round Africa. 31 days at sea, offshore loading - Pick up a hose from a buoy, fill the tanks - and another 31days back again.
I was in my early 20's at the time, and although I enjoyed the trip, it upset my social life somewhat, so I went on to coastal tankers after that and if we were more than 3 days at sea, we were lost! Great social life, though!
I've only done 4 days at one stretch so far- and I liked it. Has anyone else found it has strange effects on your psyche?
I found it strangely meditative, almost like an emptying of my mind. At times I felt quite emotional as if I has stripped off layers of psychological protection, and then sort of "mentally purified". I dint really feel a need to"occupy" myself or to pass the time- in fact it became sort of timeless (living in the present?)
In the end I confess I didn't want to arrive. I could have just gone on sailing. Maybe I'll feel differently on a longer passage.
All right you're all going to write me off as whacky now..
[/ QUOTE ]
Definately not going to write you off as whacky as it's just how I feel myself, but you put it much better !
My longest trip on a saily type boat was Cascais to Lanzagrotty, which was 5 or 6 days if my memory serves me right. The longest I was at sea was when I was in the Merchant Navy, and sailed from Rotterdam to the gulf round Africa. 31 days at sea, offshore loading - Pick up a hose from a buoy, fill the tanks - and another 31days back again.
I was in my early 20's at the time, and although I enjoyed the trip, it upset my social life somewhat, so I went on to coastal tankers after that and if we were more than 3 days at sea, we were lost! Great social life, though!
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
Definitely not whacky. I've not had any really long sailing trips yet, but you may remember when we were walking on Dartmoor, that I mentioned I used to set up camp on North Moor of Dartmoor, and stay there for up to 2 weeks, not seeing another person in that time. It was wonderfully relaxing, even when the weather was atrocious.
absit_omen
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I used to set up camp on North Moor of Dartmoor, and stay there for up to 2 weeks
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You can do it again if you want to!
Only kidding /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I used to set up camp on North Moor of Dartmoor, and stay there for up to 2 weeks
[/ QUOTE ]
You can do it again if you want to!
Only kidding /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
I'm getting a bit old for that sort of stuff these days. Starting to prefer to be wark and dry, and having some creature comforts.
MissFitz
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Unless you are some sort of Moitessier (ie a bit strange)
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No dissing of Moitessier! By all accounts he was one of the happiest & best men of the last century. I'd never seen the point of sailing until I read the story of his Golden Globe attempt - went to sea two weeks later & haven't looked back since /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Unless you are some sort of Moitessier (ie a bit strange)
[/ QUOTE ]
No dissing of Moitessier! By all accounts he was one of the happiest & best men of the last century. I'd never seen the point of sailing until I read the story of his Golden Globe attempt - went to sea two weeks later & haven't looked back since /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
jeanne
Well-Known Member
One goes long distance sailing for the sense of achievement, not for the ( slight) pleasure in the process. The wonderful places with strange sounding names (Gweek?) that you wake up in, are just a bonus.
suse
Well-Known Member
well, yes, I have done quite a few long sailing trips in various bits of the world - maybe I've just worked it out of my system? I dunno. Part of me feels sorry about it, but mostly not.
I think for me, it might depend on the company, and very definitely the weather - I really don't want to live on a dank boat any longer, struggling to keep clothes and bedding dry.
So - maybe an easy flotilla somewhere hot next year?
S x
I think for me, it might depend on the company, and very definitely the weather - I really don't want to live on a dank boat any longer, struggling to keep clothes and bedding dry.
So - maybe an easy flotilla somewhere hot next year?
S x
whisper
Well-Known Member
I've got bored with long passages as well. In fact with any passage over about 4hrs /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
My way around it was to buy a motorboat /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
My way around it was to buy a motorboat /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
Is that because you can't afford more than 4 hours worth of fuel?
absit_omen
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
No dissing of Moitessier!
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To offer an opinion that he was 'a bit strange' is not showing any disrespect.
I know someone who met him in the Cook Islands. They had lunch together along with Moitessiers's son. I say lunch but what actually happened was that Moitessier merely sat on the floor and ate with his hands. Did not say a word throughout. If you consider that to be acceptable, fair enough.
As for being one of the happiest men of the last century.......
He was happy at sea, for sure, but as far as being happy as a member of the human race and the state of the world (even in the swinging sixties!) - far from it. Try re-reading 'The Second Turning Point' in 'The Long Way'.
No dissing of Moitessier!
[/ QUOTE ]
To offer an opinion that he was 'a bit strange' is not showing any disrespect.
I know someone who met him in the Cook Islands. They had lunch together along with Moitessiers's son. I say lunch but what actually happened was that Moitessier merely sat on the floor and ate with his hands. Did not say a word throughout. If you consider that to be acceptable, fair enough.
As for being one of the happiest men of the last century.......
He was happy at sea, for sure, but as far as being happy as a member of the human race and the state of the world (even in the swinging sixties!) - far from it. Try re-reading 'The Second Turning Point' in 'The Long Way'.
MissFitz
Well-Known Member
Very fair point, Anteak - was hoping that my post might elicit some interesting comments/stories along those lines. Am indeed prepared to admit that he was, to put it mildly, eccentric - but nonetheless a great sailor, a great writer & a great inspiration /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
whisper
Well-Known Member
No, as a good sailor I always allow a safety margin of approx 33%. The money runs out at about 5hrs 20mins /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
tangomoon
Well-Known Member
Get a faster lighter boat
Dyflin
Well-Known Member
It all depends on what you call "long". Three or four days is just too little and 2/3 weeks is about right for a satisfying long trip.
You need a strict routine and stick to it. The longest I have spent at sea (in the MN) was 17 weeks without stepping foot ashore. You do go a bit barmy, so you need routine.
I use music and reading for distraction, but apart from that have meals at set times, change watch at set times, sleep at set times etc. etc. You are there to ensure that through your actions the boat arrives at its destination. Unless your there as a passenger?
You need a strict routine and stick to it. The longest I have spent at sea (in the MN) was 17 weeks without stepping foot ashore. You do go a bit barmy, so you need routine.
I use music and reading for distraction, but apart from that have meals at set times, change watch at set times, sleep at set times etc. etc. You are there to ensure that through your actions the boat arrives at its destination. Unless your there as a passenger?