December | 2013 | SailAventura

“Single-Handing” is the phrase used to describe sailing in the absence of acrimony and resentment. OK, that’s not true. It’s simply a boat being managed and sailed by one person, usually a man; although, one of the best single-handers in La Paz is a woman – currently planning her next cruise to Hawaii.

Most would admit that having a second pair of eyes ears and hands aboard is ideal – if they belong to the right person. And, of course, there-in lies the rub. Most successful cruisers are, in fact couples. They’ve learned to share long distances and small places with a shared sense of adventure and mutual respect. The failure rate of aspiring cruiser-couples is hard to measure since the first thing that happens is that they (or at least one of them) leaves.

Most people don’t know what they’re getting into at the time they’re casting off the lines and adopting the cruising life. Sea-sickness, absence of common conveniences, time and distance from friends and families are only the beginning. Cruising is often described as “doing boat repairs in exotic places”. There’s occasional frustration; little things can become larger in a living space much smaller than a one car garage.

Aventura was initially envisioned as a couple’s cruiser. There were several years of happy preparation, doing increasingly longer voyages in the PNW (Puget Sound, and beyond). In the end, concerns about being absent from children and family, and a lack of desire to actually “sail the boat” (rather than enjoying life tied to a dock) resulted in a silent mutiny (thankfully, prior to matrimony).

The decision to continue the cruising lifestyle was unquestioned and happily made. Luckily, the transition to single-handing was much easier than expected. The boat, a Morgan 382 – while certainly big enough for two – is quite readily handled by only one. Larger boats (>42 – 44′) can be much more difficult, especially around docks and crowded anchorages. Much more importantly, though, is the welcoming and inclusive nature of the cruising community. The social and economic stratification so pervasive “in the world” are, for the most-part, absent among cruisers.

One of the first things one notices when hanging around cruisers is that they almost never ask the first question one invariably gets in the world, “And, what do you do for a living?” First off, we’re mostly retired – but that’s not the reason for the omission. The fact is that no one cares who you “used to be”, what you “used to do” or who you daddy is. Here, what counts is who you are and does your presence add to the moment or occasion. And, unlike “the world”, where a divorce or separation makes couples uncomfortable around a single – the inclusive and wandering nature of cruisers assures continued happy company, activities and friendship.

So, in reality, single-handing is what one does with one’s boat – under sail. At the dock, in a palapa restaurant or in a populated anchorage, we all get the same sunsets, the same fish tacos and enjoy the shared companionship of the cruising community.

And, yes – I’m guessing that most single-handers (Aventura, included) might prefer that second set of hands (and other, more interesting bits) and eyes to share the moments, grand and mundane. And, one doesn’t have to “BYO”. The cruising community is an expanding universe where kindred spirits play and sail. The world is more large and immediate while living aboard. Every new place is unique and filled with interesting friends, yet to be met. That happy crew may be just beyond the next sunset.