Skip to main content

Eavesdropping On Sailors

Image via The Graphics Fairy

This is rather a short post today because why would you want to spend your time here when you could be over visiting all the other cool blogs participating in the Murder at the Marina Blog Tour & Fiesta?

Last weekend, I was sitting in the patio area at our marina doing some laundry when I happened to overhear a conversation between some boaters. Yes, yes, I know - you call that eavesdropping in your neck of the woods. But if they didn't want me to overhear, they wouldn't have been talking right next to me, would they have? So I'm just going to stick with my description of it as some casual, run of the mill, overhearing.

Anyway, I won't repeat the conversation to you, because:

(1) that would be rude - it was a private conversation after all (and no, for the last time I wasn't eavesdropping); and

(2) it was kind of boring, like most conversations about boating are.

Basically, all conversations between boaters who meet for the first time boil down to the same basic construct.

"I just walked in on a guy naked in the shower."

Okay, that's not a normal part of a boater conversation, but that's how this particular conversation started. Key takeaway - make sure you lock the door when you're taking a shower at the marina. Unless you're some sort of weird sicko who likes it when people accidentally walk in on them. In that case, maybe you should find another marina. Just saying.

"So, what kind of boat are you on?"

This question is key. Boaters immediately categorize other boaters into categories. Sailboats vs. powerboats. Catamarans vs. monohulls. Boat bums vs. well-heeled weekend warriors.

Based upon your answer to this question, the conversation might end awkwardly or get competitive. "You poor things. How in the world do you manage with just one hull?" "We just installed a tennis court on the aft deck and it looks like all yours has going for it is mold."

"You should see the bruises I have!"

An integral part of any boating conversation is trying to one-up each other on either how much you've spent fixing stuff that breaks on your boat or who has had to contort themselves the most to fit into a small space to repair something. In boating, being miserable working in hot, cramped quarters, spending a lot of money on equipment and supplies, and getting plenty of bruises and cuts in the process is a badge of honor.

Well, that's enough about that. But the good news is I'll have to do laundry again this weekend. Who knows what juicy tidbits I'll overhear.

That really wasn't short after all, was it? What interesting conversations have you overheard lately?

Murder at the Marina - a lighthearted and humorous cozy mystery - now available in ebook and paperback format.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Five Decidedly Unfrugal Things | August 2018

From time to time, I post about five frugal things we're doing to save money and keep our cruising kitty happy. {By the way, that's not the furry kind of cat, but rather what sailors call their savings. So cute.} Those posts are inspired by Katy at The Non-Consumer Advocate who regularly posts about five frugal things she's done. Some things are big, some things are small, but they all help keep her spending down and her savings up. Today, I thought I'd shake things up and share five decidedly unfrugal things I've done lately. Embracing a frugal lifestyle is about making conscious choices regarding where you spend your money. Sometimes those choices involve "splurging" on something. As you read my unfrugal things, keep in mind that what might be a splurge for one person is a normal expenditure for someone else and vice versa. 1 - Coloring Books & Markers Someone gave me an Amazon gift card and rather than spend it on something practical for the boa...
Post a Comment
Read more

Saturday Spotlight | Sailing Book Reviews

In addition to the usual blog posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday about our eccentric travel adventures and day-to-day life living aboard a sailboat, I also occasionally post on Saturdays, focusing on things related to writing such as cover reveals, book launches, reviews, interviews with authors etc. So if you're a bit of a book nerd like I am, check in on Saturdays - you never know what might pop up. * * * Today, I'm featuring three sailing-related books focusing on quitting the rat race for a simpler existence living aboard a boat. Even if a sailing and cruising lifestyle isn't for you, you may find inspiration in these books to make changes in your own life and lead a life less "normal" and more fulfilling. LEAP OF FAITH: QUIT YOUR JOB AND LIVE ON A BOAT by Ed Robinson The author describes himself and his wife as carefree boat bums and beachcombers and in this book he tells you how they went about achieving a simpler life. He walks the reader thr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Month In Numbers

Clockwise from upper left: (1) The coolest gift ever - a Lt Uhura finger puppet!; (2) Courtesy flags; (3) Paperback proof copies from KDP and Ingram Spark; (4) A gloomy day at the marina; (5) Hurricane season starts early with TS Alberto; and (6) Our friend Ted with some of the cute boat kids at the marina. It's time for the monthly recap in numbers, a collection of odd tidbits that popped into my head as I reflected on the month past. As usual, the month just zipped by. It's hard to believe that 31 days can evaporate so quickly. If I had to pick one word to characterize May, it would be >>rain<< . Lots and lots of rain. And that can only mean one thing. . .lots and lots of leaks. I had towels and bowls placed strategically around our boat. The bilge pump seemed to run constantly. {One of life's unsolved mysteries continues to be the source of the water draining into the bilge.} There were a couple of boating milestones during the month - one set of friends spla...
Post a Comment
Read more