I was running down the Western Gulf ICW the other day and met a really nice sailboat on the one whistle.
I got a real good look at it. It was beautiful. At least 70’ long and fitted out to sail anywhere in the world.
This boat had wind generators, radar, and I am quite sure he had all the other necessary toys like a water maker and excellent nav and communication equipment.
If he wasn’t just moving that boat for some rich guy he was definatley “living the dream”.
I would one day like to follow summer around the world for a few years in a boat just like it.
As he was passing I said,“See ya in about 20 years.” on ch 16.
Some old fart towboat pilot charmed in with his two cents and pretty much crapped right in my picinic basket.
“Yeah, right. That’s what they all say but then they end up carrying us off of here in body bags.”
One moment I felt like I was free, day dreaming of my future adventures, and the next minute I never felt more like I was in a prison.
My prison was the towboat I was driving.
I started to think about how sadly true his sarcastic remark was.
I know more than one fella that has been carried off the boat in a body bag.
Spend your whole life on the boats payin to live on land and then before you know it times up and your life was a dream, let alone having time left to “live the dream”.
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Some old fart towboat pilot charmed in with his two cents and pretty much crapped right in my picinic basket.
“Yeah, right. That’s what they all say but then they end up carrying us off of here in body bags.”
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Then the old fart lit up his 26th cigarette of the day and reached for more fried chicken.
I noticed the body bag thing years ago and decided to try not to participate. I quit smoking and started investing the price of 2 packs a day as another regiment. It’s been a very good part of my portfolio! As an incentive to retire early, I’ve had 4 friends in the last 5 years work into their 60’s only to croak within 2 years after retirement. I’m approaching 2 years and feel pretty good!
Add a couple pots of coffee a day to go with the greasy southern cookin and the chain smokin habit and you guys hit the nail right on the head.
There are still a few “smokers” boats out there.
Even if you don’t smoke the second hand smoke kills you while you sleep.
Those guys are dyin off though and the newer wheelmen for the most part will make a boat non smoking if they are not smokers.
A few nice boats I was on only allowed the wheelmen to smoke in the wheelhouse while navigating and they had an exhaust fan directly over the pilot’s chair to suck the smoke right out of the wheelhouse.
That is the exception to the rule though.
Usually I am on some trash can that if you are lucky has central air. If it does it has one air handler for the entire boat. If someone lights up a smoke or takes a dump, no matter where you are on the boat, you are gonna know it.
Some other non smoking boats I have been on didn’t allow smoking in the wheelhouse either but that is easy to do when you have auto pilot. You can step outside on the bridge wing and hotbox one.
I still smoke but not much. I pretty much quit on my off time. I think I just smoke now to deaden my senses to the second hand smoke all around me.
And stress.
Minus the shitty food, living conditions, and bad habits and I still don’t think the 6/6 is very good for your health either.
I drove truck for a few years burnin the candle at both ends to make extra money. I am pretty sure I aged 8 years in 4 doin it.
Lack of proper rest for extended hitches I think is rough on your body too.
Not all of us work on the ideal boat with the ideal living conditions that are condusive to a healthy lifestyle. All we can do is our best to take care of ourselves in the environment we are in.
I am learnin from the guys that get carried off in body bags. Learnin how not to live… or die rather.