from the office on a Tuesday night. It’s about being with good friends and having the very best seat in the house for sunset in Seattle. It’s a feeling of freedom, a feeling of empowerment, a feeling of being right where you want to be.

Now all that said, my crew has

learned a lot in the years we’ve been sailing. And, that doesn’t mean that the lines are always coiled correctly. It doesn’t mean that the sails are always furled perfectly. But, as a crew, we have figured out how to sail all the way into our slip (instead of motoring) on most nights. We are painfully slow out on the race course in light wind, but the seacock always gets closed. The power always gets turned off. The sails always do get furled (in some manner), and Julie, Annie, and Pam all chip in to do what needs to be done. They enjoy learning about the boat, and they pick and choose the tasks they wish to learn.

It’s a rather democratic sailing

scheme, which flies in the face of tradition and many years of sailing law. I’ve had people tell me that a boat always has to have a captain, and that

Sailing with women has also taught

On the “Shady Lady,” as

a crew, we typically decide our strategy and sailing plan as a collective. In certain situations, I think there can be co-captains, and rules can be reshaped and made to fit the needs and desires of the participants.

no one can ever question the captain. Frankly, I’m stubborn and morally self- righteous about equality, so perhaps someday I’ll go to the bottom for not obeying all ancient mariner rules, but on my boat, I’m the captain simply by virtue of the fact that I bought the boat. And on the Shady Lady, as a crew, we typically decide our strategy and sailing plan as a collective. In certain situations, I think there can be co- captains, and rules can be reshaped and made to fit the needs and desires of the participants. So, I’m happily turning ages of sailing dogma on its head, and if I pay the price, so be it.

me that while I do like to have the lines coiled properly and prefer to have the sails furled neatly and actually do like paying attention to the sailing, there is a time and a place for everything: a time for strict adherence to rules and attention to detail and a time to relax the rules and focus on one’s friends. And, while there is pride in having a sharp looking boat that is well kept, my current work schedule and budget don’t allow for the Shady Lady to be kept “Bristol.” But, I have learned that that doesn’t matter. What matters is that she doesn’t sit at the dock all summer like many fancier boats do. She gets used and she is loved. And every day that I spend on the Shady Lady with my fine crew of gal friends, is a day I feel lucky and privileged.

Originally from New England, Lisa

Beliveau currently lives, sails, and writes in Seattle. Her future plans involve leaving the protected waters of Lake Union for open ocean adventures. Please check out her new blog at www.ISoldMyPearlsToDoIt.com

Coming to Shilshole, Starting June 4th Golf Handicap Racing Series

• FREE Series, all inclusive • Every Friday in June, July & Sept. • Start time 7:00PM • Hosted by Sloop Tavern Yacht Club • Sponsored by Ullman Sails Seattle • FREE Registration at www.styc.org

With Support from Shilshole Bay Marina and 48° North

Everyone is welcome to come join in for a more relaxed version of racing utilizing a golf handicap rating system. Ratings will be changed weekly based on your performance in the previous weeks results.

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