An Old Codger Goes Cruising: Memories of My Years Messing About in Boats

I consider myself extremely blessed with my many years of messing about in boats. If y'all will bear with me, I'd like to share some of my memories of those years. These stories include my earliest adventures, as well as some from later years. Also included are memories of some of my MOST exciting times I experienced in my late teens and early twenties racing outboard power boats. So, hang on tight-here we GO!

I think that I'd better explain the "messing about in boats" reference. That phrase is shortened from a story from The Wind in the Willows, which was a classic children's novel by the British novelist Kenneth Grahame. It was first published in 1908. It details the story of Mole, Ratty, Badger, and Mr. Toad. In the story, Water Rat said to the Mole: "Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

PART ONE tells of my early years messing about in boats and a collection of stories coming about over my lifetime. Part of those years were dominated by racing outboard boats. I've also included a couple of stories from my years working in the yachting industry.

PART TWO is about my most recent cruising boat, named Old Codger, and the cruises we have taken together. Old codger has developed quite a personality, as you will see.