What a hoot, aboard The Coot

During the summer months, our local Community Boating Center offers free sailboat rides aboard The Coot. The Coot was built in 1979 and is a 26 ft. wooden sloop. A full description of this beautiful wooden boat can be found here.

The Coot has a maximum capacity of six passengers so scoring a seat on this sailing spree is not always that easy. I was unsuccessful on my first attempt several weeks ago, but today, I arrived a little earlier and reserved two spots for me and Rich.

Despite the occasional lack of wind, it was heaven to be out on the bay. It looked impossibly large, and full of beauty. The rhythmic slurp, slurp, slurp of water against our boat, seagulls calling out above, warm sunshine on our faces, an outstanding skipper, and fresh sea air more than made up for our lagging sails. With six of us, each armed with a paddle, we were able to get out far enough where the wind finally filled our sails, and off we went.

It was dusk by the time we tied up at a buoy. The Coot will spend the night in the company of her fellow boats, still and serene, away from the roll of the sea.

Land ho!