A Few Tings
Just when I thought the small-boat world I inhabit had delivered the most interest- ing year of my life, based on the perennial mantra— “I vow to make next year the best of my life”—I was blindsided by 2018. A few things happened in 2018 that
have put it a nose ahead of 2017, which for me was darn near the banner year of my lifestyle and life-long pursuit of adventuring in small boats. It was a hard year to beat, since much of it took place in the deep south of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
A Moment in Time On a cold, windy January morning I shoved off into the frigid waters of the Strait of Magellan aboard my 11' 11"yawl-rigged SCAMP. Trimming sheets, I was off with 90 days of sup- plies tucked below. My best-year-yet adventure plan had me headed into an unknown so intriguing, so forbidding, so steeped in history that I thought, “Be awake, be aware, this is an ultimate experience perhaps never to be topped.” I turned and looked back at shore and the fast-dwindling shapes of the James Caird, Nao Victoria and HMS Beagle, static yet powerful reminders of where I was and what I was doing. I shuddered a bit, knowing the challenge ahead, but realizing that his moment—aſter years of toil and planning—was by any measure the stuff best years are made of.
Love I was in love with the moment and, as the poet William Butler Yeats once observed, “Man is in love and loves what vanishes. What more is there to say?” I was acutely aware of the Armada de Chile’s records, suggesting that no smaller boat had ever set sail into the south. Te officers who had inspected my boat had fallen in love with it as she exuded thoughtful function. I knew with every foot gained my voyage would unfold and someday cease to exist, akin to each year passing
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into memory. It was game on as I gazed south at the forbidding snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Darwin. Tis was something special—could I ever top it? Apparently so, because 2018 delivered a few things so special, rare and enriching as to be dizzying. My heart is on fire again as I enter 2019, but let’s slow down for a moment and savor what is happening with a few best-year-yet things.
Bob Manry, One of a Few Tings Six years ago, I found myself (somewhat miraculously) in possession of the sister- ship to Robert Manry’s Tinkerbelle. I was shuttling between work on a tiny speck of a Pacific island and Kanazawa, Japan. One morning, checking email in our tiny house near the banks of the Asano River, I was suddenly staring at a dream that could come true. Tere, in an email message, was a photo and the message that Tinkerbelle’s sistership had just come up for sale. And the price seemed to be a steal (aren’t they all?) I squirmed and shiſted, with a mixture
of excitement and the dread of missing something so fine—the chance to sail as Manry did. So, I went out for a long walk, realizing my step had quickened as my mind settled on a decision. I had to have that boat, for Manry had changed my life as a boy. It was a long shot, but from half- way around the world away I managed to fend off a list of potential suitors. Ten months later I met my Tinkerbelle for the first time. Spin forward to 2018, and as paths lead to new paths I found myself on stage in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, invited there to share the story of my recent 2017 best-year-yet voyage. Tinkerbelle came up in conversation and my hosts at SEAS took an interest in using my Tinkerbelle sistership as part of their ongoing small- craſt education outreach program. Last month I managed to convince
the curator of the Crawford Museum in Cleveland, Ohio (where the original Tinkerbelle has been on display since Manry donated her in 1965) to allow a first boarding, inspection and detailed measurement of the boat. This was a “best-year” moment for me. Off we went as the SEAS team—Leslie, Geoff, Gary, Gordon and me—aboard a private plane with a clear mission, to measure Tin- kerbelle and then finish my boat exactly the same to be shared with sailors every- where. I can hardly describe the moment
I ran a finger over her inside hull and tasted Atlantic salt circa 1965
when I boarded Tinkerbelle as our team in gloves and sock feet measured every aspect of her inside and out. We learned just how Manry set her up and lived below for 78 days and yes, I ran a finger over her inside hull and tasted Atlantic salt circa 1965. 2018 jumped into the running as a possible best-year-yet.
One More Ting—Change Sneaks Up I recently helped officiate the 2018 Pa- ra-Sailing World Championships. In a previous life I managed, organized or of- ficiated 167 sailing regattas ranging from puddle events to world championships and the Olympics. I felt my rusty skills might be up for a dust off, time to give back to others. Little did I know I would be changed forever by the experience of interacting with 120 of the coolest, most able sailors (including several Olympic medalists) from over 40 countries vying for world championships in three differ- ent classes. Here it is in a nutshell. On day one
I came to the waterfront and saw the meaning of the event encapsulated in a single moment: Empty wheelchairs lined up on the dock and small singlehanded boats sailing away, with smiles all around. My world view changed in an instant. As I made my way to the committee boat, I called out to a new Brazilian sailing friend headed for the start line in a small boat that gave him legs. “See you out there.” In that snapshot of a moment, we were the same in spirit and in ability. I felt moved to near tears of joy realizing how fortunate I was to be involved in small boats, as they are life-giving tools.
One Last Ting In late 2018, I once again succumbed to my greatest strength and weakness. I bought a boat…a boat so rare, so special as to be considered a life-changer. To my friend Marty Loken—kindred spirit and fellow small-boat enabler—thank you. I’ll see you out there aboard my new ride, the diminutive 16-foot Tim Nolan-de- signed Heather. Already, 2019 is looking pretty darn good from here! •SCA•
SMALL CRAFT ADVISOR
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