These are the Good Old Days
Cruising World, July 1999
Cruising means many things to many people, but most agree that it is among those human activities that are the least limited or controlled. In turn, this requires a high degree of responsibility for ones own actions and decisions. Cruising has meant to some the act of "cutting free", of being independent and without limitations. Cruising does give a sense of freedom, though there are those in governments around the world who want to limit that freedom.
What is freedom? Freedom is choice, the opportunity to choose what, when and how you want to do things. It is not withdrawal from society, though there are those who suggest that is what cruising is about. Cruising can mean freeing oneself from many land based systems and requirements, but there are still many restrictions and formalities that must be considered. These include natural phenomenon such as weather, tides, and currents, as well as COLREGS, governmental regulations, harbor rules, etc. We can never be totally free, but cruising comes very close, especially when compared to most land based lives.
Cruising can be successfully accomplished on many levels, with a wide variety of boats and equipment. But cruising does not need to be self denial or self imposed austerity. Why not cruise in luxury and comfort, if it can be afforded? Technology is providing more freedom, and more choices. It is enabling the handling of larger boats by small crews, and adds to the enjoyment of the whole experience. The best possible scenario is living the cruising experience while minimizing drudgery and inefficient effort.
I first sailed on a wooden boat with no engine, no outboard, no galley, no radio, no instruments except for a magnetic compass, no lifelines, and no life raft (among other things). I look back on those times fondly, but would I exchange that boat for my modern blue water cruiser with all modern equipment? No way. My range of enjoyment is expanded now.
Take winches. My first ones were the small single speed type with the slide-in handle. My present ones are larger in diameter, two speed, self tailing, and powered. I do not miss those old ones at all, especially their tendency to clip the ends of your fingers when you removed the handle. I expend less effort to trim the sails now, and my enjoyment is greater.
Technology has added new dimensions to sailing. It requires a larger skill and knowledge base on a wider variety of systems. It provides additional challenges and learning opportunities for these more diverse systems. Notwithstanding new technologies, the basic skills required have remained the same, such as sail trim, anchoring, navigation, etc.
Technology is continuously changing, and the change may be occurring at a faster rate. But only those who do not take the time to study and learn about new technologies will be blinded by them or by ads and hype. Life is change. Just look at your own body. Life is enhanced by continuous learning and new challenges. Those who handle change well have learned how to live well. Change is exciting.
Additional equipment and systems brings more complexity on board, and the possibility of malfunction or breakdown. That said, why give up the opportunity to have an easier existence simply because something could go wrong? Reliability is increasing for all types of gear. Roller furling, refrigeration and radios have all been problem sources in the past. Now they can be reliable, and quite useful. Even if they fail, the backup is the old system. In the future, cruisers will not even consider denying themselves the advantages of such systems because they might fail.
However, there is logic to say that new sailors should learn to sail on a boat with a minimum of equipment, so they may become familiar with the basics of sailing. This knowledge of the basic principles, and the fact that sailing does not require all modern equipment, should be deeply ingrained. It also will provide a confidence that will stand the sailor well in the future, no matter what new technologies are adopted and what situations in which he finds himself.
Communications is a unique technology. It has, and will increasingly provide the ability for the cruiser to stay in touch, if he wants. Cruising in the past has required withdrawal from society, and from easy and quick contact with family and friends. To some that may have been a plus, as they wanted to escape from the modern world. But to others it represented a major negative. Now modern communications (especially in the next three years), will permit staying in touch at all times. This may expand the number of people who are willing to go cruising and it will improve the experience for many others. It is not about the fear of cutting the umbilical cord with society, it is about a way to experience cruising while remaining a participant in life and the world around us.
Freedom is about choice, and the ability to choose. Technology has increased those choices. However, cruisers must never let technology overwhelm them or make them overconfident. The sea is still an alien place and a major challenge to all who sail. Backup alternatives and plans must be considered for all possible scenarios, be it a failure of a radio or GPS, of a dragging anchor, or of severe weather. Technology does not substitute for good sense and thorough planning, nor for experience. Responsibility for the safe conduct of the boat and crew still rests with the individual skipper. It is his decisions on how to manage and deploy all systems of the boat which are important, no matter what technologies are involved.
Now is the best time for cruising. There are affordable as well as luxury boats. There are wide varieties of equipment to choose from for each cruisers particular needs. There are a vast number of very desirable cruising grounds. Don't look back-- the "good old days" were never as good as some make them out to be. The changes in yachting have been expanding, exciting, and good. The future can only get better (if we keep the bureaucrats at bay).
