Make Life Better with a Sailboat-in-a-Closet

Step 5 Unload

The basic boat in 2002 looked like this (first day at the water). I only paddled it the first day to get a sense of its dynamics, having never been on an outrigger before. But I was too absurdly happy to make any useful observations other than that I was happy in a boat I had designed and built myself. On later days I added sprit rig, then standing lug rig, and finally a shunting Polynesian crabclaw rig.

Today is Father's Day 2002 (though it could have been Mother's Day in your own life); perhaps your ex-spouse thoughtfully took kids out of town today. You wanted to bring them with you -- you will not accomplish many things in life if you have an imagination to imagine those things. So, stay focused on two triumphant hours today during which you paddle your first boat.

For as long as you use this boat, interested strangers will come over and ask you many questions. Most are truly curious and admiring -- they will make you feel better. A very few are condescending bordering on insulting (they usually are men with beards, baseball caps, and powerboats towed by Hummers or near equivalent). These combined events will instruct you about statistics.