Captain Bob, Part 1

Vero Beach, FL

No LL

One of the most colorful people we met is Bob (not his real name.) We first met Bob a couple of years ago in Portsmouth, VA. Bob was traveling alone on his CSY 37 Bon Lass. Last week we met Bob again here in Vero. He told us the story of the loss of Bonnie Laurie.

Libby and I listened, fascinated by Bob's story. I began to salivate, thinking of the idea of helping Bob as a ghost writer to help him write a book about his experiences. I asked him. Bob said, "No, I want to write it myself, but I just never seem to get around to it." If I were a professional writer I suppose I would have hounded Bob until he agreed to work with me. I didn't do that, but I will tell a small version of his story, disguising Bob's real name and the real name of his boat. I don't want to steal his thunder.

I'll tell Bob's new story tomorrow. Meanwhile, here is an excerpt from my original post.

Bob has been cruising on Bon Lass for 21 years. The CSY 37 is a truly classic sailboat. They are considerably larger inside than Westsails, and even more overbuilt (solidly built) than Westsails. In our former life we had chartered a CSY 44 in the BVIs once and a CSY 37 on another occasion. When CSY went out of business in the 1980s, there was a frenzy of yachtsmen to buy the used CSY boats. They are legends.

Bob is a very interesting fellow. He sailed Bon Lass single- handed around the east coast and the Caribbean for more than 20 years. He even sailed her through Hurricane Hortense 100 miles off Puerto Rico. Bon Lass came through fine but all the above the water line paint was waterblasted off. Bob said that all things considered he would rather not see another hurricane, or at least to ride one out on shore, but doing it at sea was OK. The primary fear doing it at sea is colliding with another boat. If there are no other boats around an if one's vessel is sound, then the danger is much reduced. Bob said that he experienced a rush of exhilaration when the storm passed -- "I survived." I know what he means. I too have felt exhilarated after facing, and mastering, heavy weather or other great challenges.

Bob earns his living as a captain. He does boat deliveries and he was captain on a dinner cruise excursion boat in Long Island. He sure looks the part, and that the the second interesting part of the story. Bob claims to be 72 years old, but he looks to be no more than 40. He is handsome with a neatly trimmed beard. No trace of gray hair is visible. We saw Bob in the Dismal Swamp Canal lock without his shirt on. He looks to be only 30, with a triangle shaped body like Jack LaLane and a marbled belly. Bob should be a poster boy for the heath benefits of the cruising life. (Sorry ladies, our camera is broken so I can't take a picture of Bob.) Bob says that he loves being dressed in a captain's uniform with gold epaulets on his shoulder. I agree that he would readily be cast for the part of Captain of the cruise ship in any Hollywood production.

Bob says that when sailing offshore single handed that he stays awake all night and cat naps during the day. (I wish I could do that. Cat napping something I have never been able to do.) Bob also says that when hailing ships at sea on the VHF that he is persistent and, if necessary, rude on the radio until someone replies to his calls. He puts the blame on the ships who are required to have someone on the bridge who speaks English, but who often don't. If he is rude and insistent enough, they go wake up the English speaker. I'll have to try out his technique.

All in all, Libby and I were greatly entertained by Bob's stories. We surely hope to meet up with him some other time.