Defintion of a crusier

[Macblaze]

Warning: the following is mostly tongue-in-cheek, although there is an underlying truth to the issue.

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It seems to me that many of the discussions on CF go off the rails because we are all so different in both our ambitions and realities. "How much does it cost to cruise?" You'd think this was a pretty straightforward question but it really isn't and the topic generally goes sideways faster than a drunken docking attempt on a windy day. Even seemingly innocuous discussions like "How much chain do I need in such-and-such area" often become completely nonsensical because no one can agree on what we are actually talking about.

It seems to me we all stubbornly live in our own bubbles. Of course he means to be on the hook 99% of the time! vs. No sensible person would ever anchor out if there was a marina nearby! is never considered when joining the discussion—we just dive in and start the pontificating.

So I propose we find a solution.

I started with a simple chart. "That," I said to myself, "would solve everything." "It's simple Self," I said, "Simply find your place on the chart and colour code your answers so as to clear up any potential misunderstandings with all our fellow CFers."



But then I got to thinking. It just wasn't enough. Where was the geography? We needed a plane for warm vs cold, anchorages vs moorings... And what about round-the-world vs regional? Or a scale for single-handers all the way up to large crew?

(I tried to make a chart—it turned into a disaster )


This was getting complicated. So maybe a chart is out. How about codes?
Crew size |Crew Period |Climate | Expenses | Area | Moorage Style etc.

So for example I would be a 2PTCMRA (2 crewed, part-time, cold-water, moderate spending, regional anchorer). We could have a big chart ... or an app...this is a great opportunity for an app developer—wait...ummm, we need a code for electronics too, with sub codes for radios, GPS, trackers, weather systems... hmmm...

So... ya. A chart. A BIG chart! We will need codes for anchor types too, and gun preferences, probably sub charts for specific regions cause we all know that the Med is different kettle of fish than the Caribbean— I mean literally, totally different fish and what we have here in the PNW is obviously so much better than anywhere else so...but I digress.

We will need indicators for partiers, outgoing folk, introverts, singles, people who can rebuild transmissions blindfolded, those who are still unsure what the pointy bits on a hammer are for... Oh, and most especially some way to differentiate where we fall on the scale of way over-prepared to "I bought a boat on the internet and cast off tomorrow—can someone show me how to sail?"

I guess we need a code for sailing purists. And one for those of us who have a funny stick in the middle of our powerboats. And racers. And dock-bound liveaboards. Is specifying whale preferences going too far? I like orca myself. What the hell let's add it in.

So now would start any thread participation with "I am a 2PTCMRAPNWNGIMIEMPSO..." and as a result any potential misunderstandings would immediately be averted.

Ok so that about covers it. I am starting to grid this out and will announce the official chart when its completed and will have to get the mods onboard to enforce total compliance. Won't work otherwise and this would have been a total waste of effort. Hmmm, I guess we will have to assess penalties as well. Maybe a grid to determine just how serious breaches, cases of mis-information, and what the levels of incompleteness are and empower Guardians of the Grid to deliver appropriate punishments. That can be phase 2.

This is going to be so cool!

Or... I guess... We could...I mean... Maybe...

Could we all just take a moment to thank god (and/or whatever diety, spirit or scientific principle you believe in) that we are all able to get out on the water in whatever way we can and that that is a whole lot of different ways?

Seriously, if we all just took a moment to consider an OP's situation or even a fellow thread participant's perspective there would be so many fewer stupid, inadvertent pissing contests. And then we could get on with the intentional ones.

Just a thought. Let me know if you still want me to go ahead with the grid idea.

[dougweibel]

Your initial chart strikes me as wrong. The local club's champion Laser sailor who is frugal gets labelled a "Landsman" while the yahoo who buys an expensive boat and lives on it in a marina is a "Yachtsman".

No point adding dimensions to your chart - just adds more complicated examples of "doesn't fit". I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment of having civil, helpful discussions. My wife constantly reminds me that I don't know what goes on in other peoples heads/lives/etc. and I should make allowances rather than assumptions. That idea is just as powerful when applied to the internet as when applied to face-to-face life.

[sailorboy1]

2greenfish4goodtimes100000sights0livingunderbridge s2boatscums0socialist147breweries84lookingtohit123 trolls0matterscf85warm95ttoowarm@ribeyesbetterthan hamburger

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by dougweibel

Your initial chart strikes me as wrong. The local club's champion Laser sailor who is frugal gets labelled a "Landsman" while the yahoo who buys an expensive boat and lives on it in a marina is a "Yachtsman".

Ah, but it is a "Cruiser" chart. Laser sailors are so not cruisers. I know because my bro is a Hobey racer and has no idea what I do on my boat. Silly racers...

I guess I will have to make another chart!

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

2greenfish4goodtimes100000sights0livingunderbridge s2boatscums0socialist147breweries84lookingtohit123 trolls0matterscf85warm95ttoowarm@ribeyesbetterthan hamburger

You know I suspected that. But now it's all so clear!

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Macblaze

You know I suspected that. But now it's all so clear!

I was going to go into details, but it just seemed too personal.

[Mike OReilly]

I likes it! Looks like a spatial graph straight out of String Theory -- makes about as much sense too .

But I want a plane for composting heads, and manual windlasses, and portabote dinghies, and...

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

I likes it! Looks like a spatial graph straight out of String Theory -- makes about as much sense too .

But I want a plane for composting heads, and manual windlasses, and portabote dinghies, and...

Crap, I completely forgot about heads

[Tayana42]

Macblaze, I love it. Great concept but your graphs also need to include age of wife and you also need a continuum from all original joints to replaced both knees and hips.

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by Tayana42

Macblaze, I love it. Great concept but your graphs also need to include age of wife and you also need a continuum from all original joints to replaced both knees and hips.

Hmm... spouses. I guess we also have to consider their spectrum between passenger and fully qualified captain. And of course the amount of heel tolerated in a happy household.

And maybe we can handle health in general by a simple test—something like "climbs masts", "climbs boarding ladders", or "climbs into berth for a nap."

[Montanan]

Perceptions skew definitions.

[Group9]

The person who said, "Cruising, is fixing your boat in exotic locations," pretty much nailed it.

[Mirage35]

Tongue in cheek or not, you've actually made me think a bit. When I started following CF I was confused by the definitions - e.g. I thought a liveaboard was someone who lived on their boat while crossing oceans; I now know it includes those who live at anchor on a boat not capable of moving. "Single hander" could mean anything from a day sailor on a small boat to some of those crazies - I mean adventurous types - who cross oceans by themselves.

"Cruiser" - well, who knows what that means.

So, yes, let's consider others' context when providing feedback and advice. My reality may not be your reality. If reality really exists.

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by AnglaisInHull

Tongue in cheek or not, you've actually made me think a bit. When I started following CF I was confused by the definitions - e.g. I thought a liveaboard was someone who lived on their boat while crossing oceans; I now know it includes those who live at anchor on a boat not capable of moving. "Single hander" could mean anything from a day sailor on a small boat to some of those crazies - I mean adventurous types - who cross oceans by themselves.

"Cruiser" - well, who knows what that means.

So, yes, let's consider others' context when providing feedback and advice. My reality may not be your reality. If reality really exists.

Hmmmm, maybe we need to work on singlehanding as a definition as well. I was presuming single handing as a permanent multi-day status. But of course you are right, there needs to be degrees. i propose a 4 dimensional, quadrant-based chart that quantifies number of singlehanded trips per year, the singlehanded vs, crewed trips ratio and total distance covered aggregated monthly. Oh, and day sails vs overnighters. That should cover it.

See, this stuff is simple if we just put our minds to it. I am so chuffed to have fixed the internet for all you good folks.

[sailorboy1]

I sail with my wife. On passages that is mostly singlehanded while she sleeps because she is sick. You can do this about 2 days till for a while it is nohanded while you are passed out with the autopilot steering.