Who'd a Thunk?

[Marlene Anne Sassaman]

Sailors playing volleyball! Who'd a Thunk? So, here I am practicing sporadic unplanned movements once, twice and sometimes three times a week with a group of folks belonging to a recreational meet up. Years ago I attended a beach volleyball clinic and though I enjoyed the 4 hour instruction I was too busy surfing and sailing to get serious about ball whacking. Previous to that I tried a more serious team approach in college but my skills kept me on the bench during the first two games so needless to say my hyperactivity turned toward ultimate frisbee. But I'll save that pre-sailing memoir for another time.

Rather, today was the perfect day to meet a fellow sailor. More importantly a fellow multihuller. You know what the song says, "Praise the lord and pass the ......" Well, we're not going about that ending. Today we're dwelling on the obsuridity of hanging out for ten years with a group of sailors who for the most part make me feel like a freak because I prefer to not spill my glass, cruise at a comfortable speed, and have the luxury of two patios on my liveaboard. Yet, at beach volleyball I meet a like minded sailor.

Yipe, a volleyball player who I hadn't met before today was quietly letting everyone know he has been away from vb because he had bought a boat which he sailed to and from the keys. From Central Florida where we live that is a common yet practical and very enjoyable way to enjoy life. What caught my attention was when I overheard him say he just bought plans to build a catamaran. Furthermore, it is a Woody Brown design.

Well shake my wood/epoxy constant camber tri! Before the game ended we made plans to meet aboard SPRAY. Afterall his idea for a cat is to live the simple life with a few amenities like refrigeration and a real head. Unfortunately, I can't brag about all those fancy gadgets.  On the other tack I can share what life with a Yeti 50 gallon cooler, a Nature's Head Composite arrangement, and a Jim Brown stern castle window in the galley are all about.

Ya' just never know where you will meet a fellow comrade. What a great way to end my day, with a new multihull friend.

            Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, does life get better than this?