Yo ho, yo ho, the ocean cruising life for me

There are some people who do, and some who sit in armchairs and read about those who do, and then there are those who not only read but also do, and I'd wager that it is those people, who read as well as do, who get the most fun out of their trips, because they're the best prepared.

In that regard, I've been reading through Latitudes & Attitudes, published by Seafaring International, which is "an inside look at the cruising lifestyle."

Now, this is the type of life I'd like to lead, or an adventurous couple of weeks I'd like to spend, except for one thing, I get seasick at the drop of a hat and don't get well again until I get off the boat. (I visited a docked tall ship at the Hampton Roads Blackbeard Festival a couple of years ago, and within a minute was seasick, and it wasn't doing anything except gently raising up and down!)

So this kind of romantic adventure is something that I can only experience second hand, by reading about it.

But if you have no such qualms, look into it. The cruising lifestyle requires that you have the funds to purchase a yacht of suitable size, can afford marina fees, and so on, which is getting more and more difficult these days. Nevertheless, if you can afford it, go for it.

How about some nautical terms? (From dictionary.com)

Scuttlebutt:
1805, "water cask kept on a ship's deck," from scuttle "opening in a ship's deck" (see scuttle (v.2)) + butt "barrel." Earlier scuttle cask (1777). Meaning "rumor, gossip" first recorded 1901, originally nautical slang, traditionally said to be from sailors' custom of gathering around the scuttlebutt to gossip.

Chandlery:
[Middle English chaundeler, from Old French chandelier, from Vulgar Latin *candēlārius, from Latin candēla, candle; see candle.]
chan'dler·y (chānd'lə-rē)
In other words, a chandler was someone who sold candles. Today, it's a place to stock up on nautical gear.

Flotsam, Jetsam and Lagan
Flotsam the part of the wreckage of a ship and its cargo found floating on the water (c.1600, from Anglo-Fr. floteson, from O.Fr. flotaison "a floating," from floter "to float" (of Gmc. origin) + -aison, from L. -ation(em). Spelled flotsen till mid-19c. when it altered, perhaps under influence of many English words in -some.) In British law, flotsam are goods found floating on the sea as a consequence of a shipwreck or action of wind or waves; jetsam are things cast out of a ship in danger of being wrecked, and afterward washed ashore, or things cast ashore by the sailors. Whatever sinks is lagan (anything sunk in the sea, but attached to a buoy or the like so that it may be recovered.)

Websites:
oceanwatch.com
www.seafaring.com

Seminars and SAils
Bob Bitchin's [yes, that's his real name] Advanced Cuising and Lee Chesneau's Advanced Weather Seminars: Portofino Hotel and Yacht Club in Redondo Beach. August 21-22.

Lats & Atts Share ther Sail: May 9-16th in Thailand.
check it out at http://www.seafaring.com