Canadian Yachting April 2015 - (Page 98)

CROSSING THE LINE A Place for Everything and Everything Out of Place By John Morris THE FIRST EVER EXAMINATION OF THE ART OF BOAT CLUTTER As a rookie, the first couple of boats I had were small and at least initially I strove to keep them 'shipshape.' Bristol fashion. Hooks, hanging mini hammocks, plastic containers with lids; electrical, rigging and duct tape together, each in a ditty bag; cable ties organized by size; compartment boxes for nuts and bolts carefully arranged by size, thread and hand. A small brass hurricane lamp was mounted; a paper towel rack, plastic tumblers with non-skid and plastic dishes all were stowed in a handy rack. Bedding neat and folded. Moored next to me, my pal Barry carefully coiled each line meticulously and cleaned the deck grip with a toothbrush. His boat gleamed. Ah yes, that was years ago. Once I became more involved in racing, somehow the clutter increased while its organization lessened. Our unbridled competitive enthusiasm drove us to head out rain or shine and as a result the boat was frequently filled with sails so wet they couldn't be stowed or worse yet, we stowed them anyhow. Pushing the boat likely required more attention to the chain plates and windows than they received and minor leaks developed (I know better now of course!!!!) adding to the overall dampness. Tape, parts, fasteners, flares and mildewing important paperwork were soon stored together in a large plastic tub, originally designated for emergency bailing and chilling white wines. That was clutter at its worst. And yet, it had its charm, at least to me. Soon my would-be guests declined to come aboard and I began to understand that perhaps the boat needed a re-org. Fortunately I sold it and the boat subsequently was shipped across the country, making my planned reorganization moot. But I planned to do it. Really. Trust me on this. THE HANDS OF THE GODS Seafaring lore begins millennia ago when Olympic deity Poseidon, the god of the sea, ruled the waves. His constant companion and handmaiden was the Greek goddess Pacrata, the divine priestess of spontaneous boat interiors. In tandem they governed the ships and waters of the globe. While Poseidon looked after the waves, the currents and fish, it was his queen who presided over the lockers, fiddles and lazarettes and under berth storage. Poseidon with his trident; Pacrata with her traditional 18L Tupperware bin. 98 Canadi an Yachti ng My racing boat - one approach to doing the interior. In this age-old tradition we, as boaters, still pay our respects with a profound deference to the might of the whitecaps. Inside our boats however, our level of respect may have modernized. Recently my friend Lee invited me aboard his boat to see how he had found space for an air-conditioning unit. Before I boarded he cautioned 'the boat is a mess - please forgive." But rather than a mess, it was a shrine to Pacrata. Not only was the AC unit secured ad hoc under the chart table with a profusion of bungees, but also the rest of the boat was strategically strewn with charts, tools, clothes, beer bottles full and empty, more tools, and dishes with anchors on them. It looked like a normal boat, a tribute to the goddess. I was proud to have been welcomed aboard. So now we own and love a somewhat more spacious boat. A fastidious organizer from Montreal previously owned it and he had a designated place for everything. But there is a temptation, of course, to bring more on board. It's part of the fun of boating, n'est-ce pas? At the Boat Show in January, Rigging Shoppe had quick release winch handles in two sizes. Our puppy got a new life jacket from the Binnacle. Aisle C had several bedding designers including organic bamboo pillow cases and dish towels. All of our electronics need to be beefed up and expanded. Monogrammed plates, goblets and chafing dishes. We gathered it all and more in many, many bags. So now it's spring. As I back the truck up to the dock and begin to unload the new sails, boat cutlery and colourmatched fenders and pillow covers, we will be very judicious. A pristine, organized boat is a blessing. A comfortable happy boat is more likely. * APRIL 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Yachting April 2015

Contents
Vantage Point
Waterfront
One Particular Harbour: Midland Harbour, Georgian Bay
Club Profile: Britannia Yacht Club
Feature: Inflatable Lifejacket Selection, Wear, Care and Maintenance
Galley Guys: What's New and What's Old
Feature: B.C. Boat Builder Forbes Cooper
Feature: The Ultimate Anchoring Article
Feature: Towing and Salvage
Sail Review: Bavaria Cruiser 37
CPS-ECP Port Hole
Crossing the Line

Canadian Yachting April 2015