Well shit, I’ve been sailing for the last month but I haven’t written a damn thing. As BB King says “Sorry baby, next time I’ll do better… I promise”

This fall was an interesting one for boating. I sailed Patience as often as I could, and wished that I sailed her more. By the end I started to get up the nerve to sail her alone, and that was very rewarding. On one particular night I found a breeze that wasn’t there, hardly a ripple on the water, but the perfect breeze to push me along at 4-5 knots. The sun was setting over a cold lake, and trees that had given their leaves to the ground. There were still a few oranges and yellows to be seen, but we had entered the time of grays and more grays. Both patience and I found peace in our courses. With a loose tiller I walked up to the bow, and got to do some thinking. My fine little boat got to do her own. I watched the sun turn from yellow to pink, and we gurgled alone in fine shape. After the rocky start that we had, this was the sail that made up for it. I think that it was only an hour long at most, but both of us were at ease. At this point it was getting cool out, and I was in a good wool sweater and hat. Usually red wine will improve a evening sail, but tonight no spirits were needed.

Eventually as we made our way back to port, Patience still steering herself with nothing touching the tiller, we were enough of a site to send out a visitor. Up motored the owner of a nice Friendship sloop, and a fine sailor. I walked back to my place at the tiller, and we spoke about boats, fall, and the water. Patience got complimented, and it caped off a good night. I flaked her sails, and sat down to read a book in the fading light.

She doesn’t leak much anymore. I think that it is punishment for me taking her out in a few days. The main battery has been running happily for two weeks without fail or charge.

John, Vanessa and I had one last good sail on Saturday the 27^th of October. Patience was almost right at home in 4 foot swells, 30 knots of breeze and no reefs in the main. We took some water, drank some beer, ate some apples, and generally held on for dear life. It was the first time that john was out on my Folkboat, and I believe that he was impressed. We managed to plane downwind, and were doing pretty well. After the sail we sat in her cabin and drank more beer and talked about life. For Vanessa’s second sail she was brave. It is a little unsettling to be blasting along - with the rail in the water in 4 foot - 50 degree seas…

Patience was pulled on Monday the 29^th It was mostly uneventful. I discovered some rot on the stem that has me a little worried, and there are signs that her sternpost moved a bit, which is worrying. More work for me.

On Tuesday I might have had my last sail of the year. We went out on the Melges 24, a true rocketship, and probably hit 20 knots going down wind. It is strange to go faster than most powerboats in a steep 4 ft sea. Again we had plenty of beer, though my toes still managed to get cold.

A couple of weeks ago I picked up the diesel engine and some other stuff that came with the boat. I hope to track down the old owners, and also rebuild the engine in my basement. Should be fun.