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Adventureland
October 25, 2009
Over the years, I’ve done the foredeck on a variety of boats, from Ruffian 23 to J24 to Benny 31.7 and 36.7. It’s always a challenge, good fun, but hard work.
At the windward mark, I’m so busy I don’t see any of the boat on boat close contact as I set the pole and sneak the tack and hoist the kite.
At the leeward mark, I’m so busy hoisting the jib/genoa, dropping the pole, gathering the kite, tidying lines that I miss any close boat on boat manoeuvers, but I get to hear afterwards all manner of self-congratulatory comments from the back of the boat. And, I get to hear all manner of accusatory yelps if anything untoward happens on the foredeck.
Hence, I have always thought of the front of the boat as Adventureland, while the back of the boat is Fantasyland. The guys in the middle? They are stuck in Wonderland.
A poster’s signature on Sailing Anarchy offers this brilliant take on the front of the boat:
“Good day and thank you for calling the foredeck. Right now all our friendly foredeck staff are busy packing spinnakers or helping other crew members.
Please press:
one for a headsail change…
two for a spinnaker peel…
three for a windward douse..
four for a leeward douse..
five for a hoist…
six for a gybe…
or leave us a message and one of our courteous bow-people will get back to you as soon as possible.
In a hurry? No problem! Simply email your request to foredeckgods@thebow.com and we will respond within twenty four boat lengths.
For answers to frequently asked questions, please visit: www.stfubackthere.com.
Thanks again and have a good race.”
Credit to SA poster Cats Rule.
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