Cyprus-Forum.com

[Kikapu]

And in Kikapu's last post ladies and gentlement you can see a true sailor who appreciates the fine lines of a good boat. In contrast, a power boat enthusiast to whom I mentioned Onassis' small boat gave a look of disdain and said "what is so good about that, it only has a lateen sail, wont do more than 3 knots!". Yes 3 knots in total silence, and no diesel fumes.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, we do refer to Power Boats as "Stink Pots".

On my 20,000 thousand Nautical miles sail adventure few years ago, our average speed was around 4 Knots (almost 5 mph). Well, some thing very fantastic happens when you travel at such slow speed. Time seems to slow down also, which means that one is in total awareness of all their surroundings and is aware of every action or event that happens around him /her. All this information is then processed and stored in one's brain's memory bank and stays there as fresh as it was the day it happened.

When one drives a car at 60 mph for one hour, I bet you cannot recall what happened in that hour a day later. Everything just went past you in a flash, but I can recall events as exactly as they happened even after many years later.

So yes, sailing over Power Boating, is much better for one's health and mind.

[CopperLine]

This has got to be the best, most informative and engaging exchange I've seen on this forum. Somewhat akin to the discussion following posting of old photos of Cyprus.

I've always read of the sea, always lived by the sea, and been mesmerised by the sea. I've not got any sailing experience to speak of, but I share precisely Nikitas' sentiments regarding the draw of the sea and sail. And the lines of the Oughtred boat that Kikapu posted were quite beautiful.

Keep the correspondence going, you have an avid reader here. Much appreciated.

[zan]

And in Kikapu's last post ladies and gentlement you can see a true sailor who appreciates the fine lines of a good boat. In contrast, a power boat enthusiast to whom I mentioned Onassis' small boat gave a look of disdain and said "what is so good about that, it only has a lateen sail, wont do more than 3 knots!". Yes 3 knots in total silence, and no diesel fumes.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, we do refer to Power Boats as "Stink Pots".

On my 20,000 thousand Nautical miles sail adventure few years ago, our average speed was around 4 Knots (almost 5 mph). Well, some thing very fantastic happens when you travel at such slow speed. Time seems to slow down also, which means that one is in total awareness of all their surroundings and is aware of every action or event that happens around him /her. All this information is then processed and stored in one's brain's memory bank and stays there as fresh as it was the day it happened.

When one drives a car at 60 mph for one hour, I bet you cannot recall what happened in that hour a day later. Everything just went past you in a flash, but I can recall events as exactly as they happened even after many years later.

So yes, sailing over Power Boating, is much better for one's health and mind.

I love the picture you paint here but I have never tried under water sking before at low speeds........Do you see many fish

[Kikapu]

This has got to be the best, most informative and engaging exchange I've seen on this forum. Somewhat akin to the discussion following posting of old photos of Cyprus.

I've always read of the sea, always lived by the sea, and been mesmerised by the sea. I've not got any sailing experience to speak of, but I share precisely Nikitas' sentiments regarding the draw of the sea and sail. And the lines of the Oughtred boat that Kikapu posted were quite beautiful.

Keep the correspondence going, you have an avid reader here. Much appreciated.

You are welcome CopperLine. Thank you for your appreciation.

I don't claim to be very knowledgeable about all aspects of sailing or places visited by sailors from all walks of life, but I can give some of you some insights about what life is like for those who sail all their lives.

If you have questions at all, lets hear them.

[Kikapu]

OK, so there are no questions, or perhaps you don't know what to ask, which is understandable, so what I thought I would do in that case, is to write very short stories of different experiences that I had on various topics regarding Sailing, Sea, People and Land. When ever I have extra time, I will post a true events from my sailing days.

[Nikitas]

Kikapu,

I am waiting to read those stories too. I will add my few bits of sailing and boating events, (they cannot be called adventures by any stretch of the imagination!).

[CopperLine]

Kikapu, Nikitas,

Sorry, no comment doesn't mean I'm not reading. I assure you that I'll certainly read what you write here ... and you are right, I don't know what my questions are !!!

[Nikitas]

Copperline,

Given the choice, and if time were not a factor, would you choose to travel by ship over plane? For instance, from Italy to Greece and vice versa would you opt for the boat (18 hours) over the plane (1 hour?). The choice tells a lot about how you feel about the sea in terms of travelling on it rather than looking at it from the comfort of land.

If you plan on taking up sailing here is a tip- opt for a boat with no stays (those pesky ropes that go from the top of the mast to the sides of the boat.) Prefer a single sail controlled by one rope (sheets as sailors call them!), and a boat that does not lean (heel) too much. A simple rig like this allows you to figure out sailing fast and in comfort. If you ever come across Onassis photos you will see him sailing such a boat and apparently enjoying it. Remember that the man owned the most luxurious yacht of his time, and he had several powerful custom built motorboats in his boatshed. But this simple sailing boat was his Numero Uno pleasure craft.

If you are thinking of getting a boat remember this one fact- the maintenance effort and cost is proportional to the Square of a boat's length. Kikapu will tell you more about this.

[CopperLine]

Nikitas,

Given the choice, and if time ......

Interesting you should say that because wherever and whenever I can I travel by train overland (rather than car) and by ferry over sea. I try and avoid using aeroplane - though I also love aircraft - whenever possible. So even business trips across Europe I use train rather than fly - for example it is now quicker to get from central London to central Marseille by train - and often cheaper - than to fly. And the Italy-Greece-Turkey ferry routes are magical.

[Nikitas]

Copperline you qualify for sailing! Anyone who likes to travel by ship is close enough to the sea to understand the difference between swiftness and speed.

Speed freaks and mechanic jocks cannot tolerate the silent swiftness of sailing craft. They are addicted to the gurgle if V8s no matter what.

So get yourself some sailing lessons. Liking aricraft means you will understand straight away how a sail functions, ie it pulls the boat forward like a plane wing sucks a plane upwards. Once you get that, the rest is easy. Stay away from big boats (my advice) they are nowhwere near as much fun as small ones and they are expensive (in time and money) to maintain. Remember what an ocean racing captain said once when asked what ocean racing is like "standing in a cold shower tearing up five pound notes".

PS I love European trains too, especially Italian ones, the food is so good, better than many Italian restaurants in big cities!