Thinking about a Typhoon Weekender... need some thoughts

[Steve Laume]

Sally, I love a reply headed, Yup.

Back when sailing our Typhoon about six years ago, I would have been sub 50 and my son about 11. We did one long weekend to Block Island from Noank. It was backpacking on the water. We took a cooler, set up a backpacking stove on the cockpit sole and cooked ramin noodle dishes. We rented bikes and explored the new to us, island. We hiked the beaches, swam and snorkeled.

It was one of the most memorable sailing trips I have ever done. There was the sense of accomplishment from sailing a small boat to an offshore island. There was also a the bonding and close companionship, shared with my son while he still wanted it. That time is fleeting.

If your son is enthusiastic about an overnight you may want to suffer and indulge him. It will be a memory you could cherish for a lifetime. You will forget the hardships long before the good parts, Steve.

[Sally Perreten]

I love the story of your and your son sailing to Block Is from Noank. That is, indeed, a huge trip and a great adventure. But just to put it in perspective: my son is 47! When he and his sister were kids the 4 of us, plus dog, circumnavigated Lake Ontario from Montreal on a Tanzer 22 . We did that 2 summers, actually, with a fair quotient of adventures, storms, good times. Then we did it on a Albin Vega 27. And then we took the boat to Lake Champlain.

At our ages, now, more than one night on a weekender is not a hugely attractive idea, though we might just do it.

Sally

[Steve Laume]

I take it all back. If my son was 47 I wouldn't even think about it, Steve.