Sundown Sailing Adventures

Sailboats often are associated with a life of ease, rest and relaxation, and tasty umbrella drinks, right? Wrong! I’m not finding that to be the case, yet. What I have found is sailboats require making some sacrifices.

Leisure time seems to be the number one thing Sundown is sucking away from us. Since Sundown came home to Fort Collins, we’ve made no time for recreational activities. Usually our summers are filled with camping, backpacking, paddle trips, mountain biking, rock climbing, gardening and more. This summer was void of all those things. When we’re not working our 40+ hour per week (and sometimes weekend) jobs, and trying to keep up with house chores and kids, we’re working on the boat.

I haven’t even had time for writing lately…other than the freelance writing I’m doing to help pay for the boat—which is in addition to my full-time job. I’ve missed it, probably because writing blog articles helps me pause and reflect on this new adventure. Otherwise, I just hurriedly get through each day and take way too much for granted.

To keep it all in perspective, I remember this little saying which was printed on my former Gary Fisher bicycle:

Sleep is another sacrificial offering made to the boat. Colorado’s sudden fall weather has brought some moisture with it. When it’s raining at night, I lie awake and worry because we haven’t located and fixed all of Sundown’s leaks yet. (Leaks are common to boats, but my husband and I are working to eliminate as many as humanly possible. Our efforts will be the subject of next week’s blog.) As I listen to the pitter-patter on the roof, I imagine the bilges I’ve been meticulously cleaning filling up with water which will result in bailing and more cleaning. Having Sundown precariously perched on jack stands on relatively soft soil vs. concrete or asphalt doesn’t bring peaceful sleep either. I just have to trust that the wooden platforms on which the stands sit will provide enough support to keep our 24,000 pound boat upright rather than letting her sink into miry mud.

The words I heard in a sermon often come to mind while I lie awake fretting the hours away: “Worrying is like rocking in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but doesn’t get you anywhere.”

Money comes in third place in the list of sacrifices. Surprised? Me, too. Curbing extraneous spending and sticking to our budget to accommodate the boat payment isn’t as big of a deal as I thought it would be. That doesn’t mean we’re perfectly sticking to our budget, but we’re trying; each month affords a new opportunity to do better. I’m not a shopper, so that helps. And my daily commute to work by bicycle sure saves on fuel costs. The budget category we have the hardest time not over spending is “Dining.” My husband and I have a yummy habit of frequenting a local restaurant, Los Tarascos, which has the most authentic Mexican fare west of the Mississippi (and the best margaritas, too!). To our credit, we have gone from eating there about six times a month to maybe three, but it still adds up—especially if we take any or all of our sons with us.

While I know there will always be sacrifices associated with owning a boat, I am hoping that when we actually get to the point of living aboard, each day will present a bit more time to relax. In the interim, my husband and I have promised each other we will be much more intentional about pacing ourselves and taking time to smell the flowers.

– krs