"Wilbur Hubbard" <wilburhubbard@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:4866db1e$0$92706$892e0abb@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> First off, this is not an off-topic post as the title might indicate.
> Rather, I shall make a point about mountain climbing when it's not
> mountain climbing and then equate it to sailing when it's not sailing.
> Here goes . . .
>
> You're off on an expedition to climb Mt. Everest. But, instead of the
> traditional guided trip that you purchase from professionals,
> <http://alpineascents.com/everest-why-climb.asp>
a new company is
> offering to guarantee that you summit Everest without ever having to
> breathe hard, become cold, be endangered or miss a single hot meal. This
> company has a new invention. It is sort of a mountain-specific climbing
> machine with caterpillar type treads and pulleys for cables etc. Large
> steel cables have been strung all the way to the top of Everest and this
> machine claws and pulls itself to the summit. Inside there is heat,
color
> television, hot food on demand, sleeping quarters, showers, a bar, a
> sauna, world telephones, maids, and all other manner of luxuries. You
> simply purchase a very expensive ticket and a week later you can tell
the
> whole world that you summited Everest.
>
> Is this really mountain climbing? I think not.
>
> In like manner is "sailing" in some huge, heavy, luxury-filled boat that
> is automated, has wind up sails, has a washer/dryer, dishwasher, hot and
> cold running water, air conditioning, refrigeration, ice maker, bar,
> satellite TV, stove/oven/broiler, auto pilot, autonavigation, large
> diesel, generator, water maker, etc. really sailing?
>
> I think not!
>
> So one must ask why do so many people consider various versions of the
> above abomination sailing? Why do they brag about their floating condos?
> Why is it they just don't seem to see the folly of their thoughts,
desires
> and actions which cry out loudly and clearly to any real sailor, "Here
is
> a pretender! A lubber afraid to really go sailing but who wants to brag
> that he does."
>
> Do you see my point?
>
> I have spoken.
>
> Wilbur Hubbard
I find myself in total agreement with you. And it could explain the
why
for's that Herodotus fellow and that Bruce in Bangkok fellow keep on
bad-mouthing you. Jealous of sailors who get around using sails.
They have the kind of boat you describe. What they do isn't sailing
but
they seem to think it is. They are just trawler types with riding sails
that
are a little bigger than the usual trawler riding sail. Only they don't
use
their sails as often because they've got heavy ballast keels. But their
motors are constantly under repair. Worn slap out! That should tell you
something about their motoring habits. Constant or near constant, I would
say.
Anyway, keep up with the posts that think out of the box. I enjoy
them
very much. It puts things in perspective for me.
-----
Eric Starnes.
|
