November 13, 2011

“There is nothing- absolutely nothing-
half so much worth doing
as simply messing about in boats.”
-Ratty – Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

The crew returned early this morning from delivering the boat to Haverstraw from Essex, CT.  I was itching to go up and visit our new boat, so I packed up some cleaning supplies and drove up.  I got my security card from the marina office and made my way down the dock.  There were very few boats left in the water as it is so late in the season.  It was kind of strange to be walking down a dock not knowing where our boat was.

I saw a boat on the left that was very clearly a liveaboard.  There was a man tinkering around in the cockpit amongst fishing nets, hanging lanterns, solar panels, a wind generator, and other telltale signs of life aboard.  I stopped to introduce myself, feeling like a member of his community already.  His name is Richard and he lives aboard with his wife.  We chatted for awhile and then I continued down the dock.  Already, I feel the slower pace of life sinking in.  It was nice to stop awhile and shoot the breeze with Richard instead of bee-lining my way to the boat to “get started”.

Suited up for the chilly day during the marine survey

I got to the boat and couldn’t believe that I was looking at our very own boat.  I felt protective and couldn’t believe that it had been left all day with just four lines keeping it tied to the dock.  I climbed aboard and unlocked the hatch with our key.  The hatch felt salty, so before I even went down below, I cleaned the companionway, the hatch, and all the tracks (this might not come as a huge surprise to those who know me).

Once down below, I looked around as if getting to know someone I knew was going to be a good friend at some point.  It reminded me of the first time we went into our house for the first time after the purchase closing.  I began to clean the boat, lovingly taking care of her, getting to know all the nooks and crannies.  I discovered a storage area I hadn’t seen during the survey.  I actually said, “Yay!!!” –out loud-, even though I was by myself.  It was like finding an extra gift behind the tree, after you opened all your other gifts.  Storage on a boat is S C A R C E.  Every square inch of space will be used and cherished, so finding this extra little space was amazing.

It was a precious, lovely afternoon, messing around on our new boat.  I will never forget those first few hours I had alone with her and know she will never look quite the same to me again.