Beetle Cats were much like Whaler 13`s for squids. Simple and safe. Craft which were
well suited for curiosity and education.
Bunny taught sailing to those who wanted to learn. We all wanted to learn and we did
with varying degrees of success. I had already been exposed to whalers and other
powered vessels. Pulling a tiller back and forth to find wind in the doldrums was not
my idea of propulsion.
I remember Bunny saying a squid would have a hard time capsizing a Beetle Cat when
he was expounding their virtues to our parents.
Challenge taken.
There were regattas all summer long and the racing was taken quite seriously.
I crewed for Pif a few times, but I soon learned it was just about as boring as riding
a pony.
There was a race one day and Pif was crewing for a boy who was already involved
with Lasers and Hobie 16`s. He was from a family of cup winners. He was one of those
smug sailors.
Bunny always ran the committee boat. A 17 Montauk. Papa had leased a Beetle
for the summer to gauge our interest. White Cloud was her name and many clouds
were indeed faster. She was just slow for many reasons. Decades of paint. Poor
sails and a mast which was stepped badly.
Well as luck would have it, the afternoon had a great blow and I was bored.
I took White Cloud out around the race. I watched the start and sailed back to watch
the tack. It was rare to have gusty wind and many smiles were on display.
I took a tight course back to the dock. I was sailing beyond my ability by myself.
I pulled a flying jibe and the fun began. I almost cleared the main sheet.
I not only capsized a Beetle, I had achieved full turtle. Maybe sailing can be fun?
I had tacked to set myself up to come in and dock. I was in deep water.
I had not checked the tide. It was outgoing. I looked at my situation and
decided to swim the boat in to the beach. Well that quickly proved to be a losing
battle. I thought about just swimming in, but that would mean abandoning a boat
Papa had leased.
A few minnows later I see a boat that looks remarkably like the committee boat
headed on point. Bunny was not happy at all. He was downright exasperated.
If his eyes had been lasers, I would have perfect vision today all these many years
later.
The tricycle front end Farmall was driven to the tide line. A line was swum out.
The mainsail was brought down or upside down depending on your perspective.
I was not allowed to put her back on the mooring.
Bunny went back out to finish his duties. I`m not sure if he got back in time,
but I could venture a guess.
I was my parents worst nightmare. An upper middle class redneck townie wannabe.
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