Today I have decided to tackle the subject of sailing misconceptions.
1. All sailors have tattoos
Two team members of il mostro have tattoos, Sid one of our two Watch Captains has the most significant one, it's a full shoulder Pacific North West motif that incorporates what I believe to be a Cod Fish or a Salmon, leaping over his shoulder. The other tattoo belongs to our other Watch Captain Chris, he has the Olympic rings on his shoulder as a badge of honor for representing his
country in sailing at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
2. Dolphins are really smart and a sign of good luck, they often follow the boat
The saddest sight of the whole trip for me was sailing through the Straits of Gibraltar exiting the Mediterranean and entering the Atlantic Ocean. At the narrowest point we sailed through a large oil slick which is bad enough in itself, big globs of oil were sticking to the side of the boat. Luckily it wasn't rough and the decks stayed dry, but I was horrified to see a small pod of about eight dolphins swimming alongside the boat in the oil. So I think that dispels the smart and lucky myth. The only other significant dolphin sighting on this trip was about a week later when we saw a really large pod of about 50 dolphins about a quarter mile away... going the other way!
3. Sailors drink Rum every day
On this trip we have had one drinking occasion - when we crossed the equator a small plastic bottle of cheap rum did appear on deck and was used as a toast to Neptune and the sea, to the boat and we all received one swig each. We will try to catch up when we get to Cape Town, affectionately known as the "Tavern of the Seas".
4. Sailors talk really funny... GAAARRRR
True but only on "Talk Like a Pirate Day". The rest of the time we all speak perfectly normally - to sailors, however we do speak an absolutely unique second language that could sound really strange to a non-sailor. In this language there a lot of unique words like brace, afterguy, outhaul, gudgeon, halyard, solent, pre-feeder, tell-tales, A3, A4, R3, acronyms PLC, B & G, Sat C and the big three ...... in- f------r, down -f-----r and out-f-----r. Sailors swear a lot.
5. Sailors laugh at other sailors who get seasick
False. Sailors are very empathetic towards one another with regards to seasickness, it can be a very random affliction and it might be your turn next time! They do however get endless hours of amusement at the expense of non-sailors who suffer the "Mal de Mer" (as Sidney would say). Seasickness is very rare at this level in the sport, but people who do get it have usually learnt how to deal with it.
6. Sailing is boring
Sometimes for sure sailing can be the most frustratingly boring thing one could ever imagine doing. Other times it's the most exhilaratingly terrifying thing you ever did, most of the time its just great fun because it's a sport that requires a great deal of physical and mental engagement and attention that when racing is usually rewarded with success for the team.
I'm sure that there are plenty more that I have missed - but I need to go and throw up now, I'm not feeling too good!!!! Joke.
Rick
