Never Leave on a Friday

"Never leave on a Friday" is an old sailor's mantra. It is supposed to be bad luck. For the most part, we take this advice. I'm not really sure why, it's illogical, but we do it anyway. The funny part is that every time we've left on a Friday, we had to turn around. Years ago on our friend, Jim's, boat we left Half Moon Bay on a Friday heading for Monterrey. Two hours later we were sitting back at the dock. The head winds and waves were against us and we were making about 1/2 a knot. There was another time, with pretty much the same results. So, while I can't find the source of this tradition, we try never to leave on a Friday.

The other is offering the Sea God a shot of alcohol! When Scott first left Oregon on Lunar Dawn 4 1/2 years ago the crew all did a shot and offered one to the ocean before crossing the Columbia Bar. We still do this and so far we've come in safe to every port. It may not have been an easy trip but we made it safe and sound. So the Seas will continue to get a shot of rum. The one time I ran out of rum we used Sake. The Sea God was not mad, but I think he didn't like Sake because our engine quit. LOL! I wouldn't recommend that!

Another superstition is renaming of a boat. I did a ton of research on that one. We removed every bit of evidence of her old name and then ask the Sea God forgiveness of her past sins. Then... you got it... a shot of rum to the Sea God. After about 2 weeks we did the renaming ceremony. Two years ago; June 26, 2010; we renamed her. What a blast and thanks to all my friends who helped celebrate. The tradition is, after asking the Sea God and the Four Winds to protect the boat and crew, the boat is christened. A female is to do the christening, and it is usually a female member of the boat builders family. Since we had no family in the North West we asked our dear friend and surrogate mother, Sherry, if she would christen Reisender. Well, all went well and Sherry did a little research of her own and found out not only does the boat get soaked in champagne, but so does the boat builder, SCOTT!!!! He was drenched and we all had a good laugh.

These are just some of the superstitions of the boating world. I don't always know where they come from, and by no means am I superstitious, but it seems better to be safe than sorry on a boat.

Smooth Sailing to all of you, but not on Friday.