July 5, 2007
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Adult Toys
I suppose a toy could be described as a possession or tool that is associated with a person's recreational interests.
If that's the case, I clearly have had toys my whole life - most of them boats. Some I have owned and some I just got to play with.
My first boat was at age ten - a rowboat that leaked so badly that it required constant bailing, but the water sloshing around my feet was a handy place to throw the fish I caught. I rowed it in Biscayne Bay - sometimes blister-making distances.
My next was a Bahama Dingy (an open sailboat - Winslow Homer painted some famous pictures of them) I managed to turn it over the first time I sailed it.
At age 16, I was a deck-hand on a 100' yacht for a while. I got to steer, maneuver, and dock it after the owner got too drunk to navigate - which was about every voyage. This yacht also required an engineer - fortunately he didn't drink).
During this time my father had a 62' schooner which took a crew of at least three to sail properly - he didn't take it out nearly often enough to satisfy me.
I was merchant seaman for a while - sailed all over the world in cargo ships.
I joined the Army and promptly ended up teaching navigation and seamanship. The toys the army provided included 65' tugs, 180' FS vessels and 48" landing craft. I got to play with all these and teach others how to also.
I've always leaned toward sailing and far and away my favorite toy was the one I use as an icon.
That's Tyche - a Cape Cod Catboat - That's a small tubby boat with a single huge sail. I owned her for many years.
My last boat was a sailing dory which I kept on the lake where I spend my summers.
Ill health has left me (currently) boat-less and frustrated -but I still have dreams.
Comments (5)
Interesting background. I understand your interest in boats. I once had a similar interest in flying, though I never could afford to own my own plane. I don't think I actually have an all-time favorite toy.
What do you think draws you to boats?
Ha! What draws me to boats?
The attraction is strange since I have suffered from an inner ear disorder for most of my life (Meinere's disease) and am prone to seasickness (but then so was Nelson).
My father retired as a Captain in the USCG and I grew up on the water, developed a taste for matters marine - even while I was in the Army, I managed to find a way to mess with boats (see above).
I think many (most?) people are attracted to water but most also have some fear of its unknown and unpredictable qualities. I've seen and experienced the best and the worst of the ocean and enjoyed every minute.
My husband is a Coast Guard vet.
I love the water. We just came back from Lake Superior. That lake is very treacherous yet very beautiful. I love the ocean, too.
This can be like food stuff to crave for! I used to be able to find out new items currently. Ideal of luck.