There’s something about sailing that seems to attract serendipity. Maybe it’s the tides. Maybe it’s the rum. Or maybe it’s just that good things happen when you’re kind to other boaters.
Two weekends ago, three of us tried to squeeze in one last overnight before haul-out. I was solo aboard Va Bene, our trusty Morgan 382, planning to rendezvous with Old Man Kevin (Valkyrie, Ericson 28) and Johnny Baby (Moondance, Sabre 36) in Long Cove, Vinalhaven.
But the forecast didn’t match what we were feeling. The southerly had built fast across Penobscot Bay, and things got…sporty.
Kevin was clearly wrestling with a jib issue—sailing under reefed main alone—while aboard Va Bene, I was flying her 135% genoa and towing the RIB, and was cooking along at 7+ knots. But then Johnny, beating out from Camden, called to say he’d been slammed by a boarding sea, was soaked, freezing, and diverting to Pulpit Harbor. Oh, and all the food was with me.
Time for a pivot. Pulpit would be a downwind fetch for Kevin and a hot meal for Johnny. I turned around, caught up with Kevin, and we surfed our way north—Va Bene hitting 8+ knots down the waves. Fall sailing at its best!
When we arrived, Johnny had just watched a Newport 28 wrestling onto a mooring in the gusts. A sailor from a nearby boat had hopped in his dinghy to help—the kind of quiet, unspoken teamwork that defines a good harbor…and a good sailor. I’m certain Johnny would have done the same thing—had he brought his dinghy. Alas…
An hour later, as the wind eased and the rum and tonics appeared, a dinghy fleet approached Va Bene. First came the kind sailor who helped the couple get on the mooring, followed by that very crew—cheerful, grateful, and ready to trade stories. Then came the “wait a second…” moment: they were the former owners of the Contessa 26 we’d profiled the previous year—the very boat we’d helped find a buyer for! Small world, indeed.
Now they were happily cruising Penobscot Bay on their new-to-them Newport 28, squeezing out the last days of the season like the rest of us.
Before long, laughter and glasses were clinking in Va Bene’s cockpit. Stories were swapped, friendships forged, and once again the harbor felt no bigger than a family kitchen table. All because someone lent a hand on a windy day—and because we didn’t push our luck.
The Lesson?
It always pays to be kind—especially on the water.
The sea humbles us all and has a way of circling good energy right back.
One day you’re lending a hand; the next, you’re sharing drinks with old friends you didn’t know you’d already met.
TCC, Canadian Ken, & Green Mountain Josh
BoatFools Sailing ⛵
P.S. If you ever doubt that small gestures matter, just remember Pulpit Harbor—and keep a little extra ice and lime on hand. You never know who might show up.
Wooden Ships On The Water, Very Free (and Easy)…
This summer, we’ve seen two wooden boats we’ve profiled find new homes—and it feels pretty darn good.
One, Merlin, is now moored right next to us here in Rockland. We’ve watched her sail out and back again—doing exactly what she was built to do.
The second just sold last week: this little beauty right here —
Her new owner fell hard for her charm—so much so that he drove all the way from Michigan to make her his. She’ll live her next chapter as a freshwater boat now, and that’s just fine by me.
Wooden boats can be a tough sell these days, and Boomerang was lucky enough to find someone unafraid of a little work and full of love for those classic lines.
To say I’m delighted is an understatement. I loved filming this boat. She’s just so stinkin’ pretty.
I’ve got more thoughts to share about these older classics—but those will have to wait until next time.
In the meantime, check out the latest BoatFools Market Report for updates on which boats have sold and which ones are still waiting for their next skipper…