Officially an "Old Salt"

[Don1500]

After living aboard for 5 years and traveling the ICW up and back every spring and fall I guess I have finally been confirmed as an "Old Salt". I met a couple of guys bringing their first boat (34' sail) down the ICW. They pumped me about every anchorage, mooring field, shoal, inlet, and marina from Oriental to Stewart. Funny part was I knew them all, and had opinions that sounded like I knew what I was talking about. When they said they went outside I knew where they had to have come in. When they talked about shoals I was able to identify the mile marker (or at least the name of the body of water they were in). Of course being a sailor I did embellish the truth about the squalls and storms I had been in, and the size of the seas I sailed through. But we had a good talk about our experiences, trails and tribulations. They are heading south in the AM and I will be here till at least January.

[Dennis.G]

Not official without the grey beard of course.

[Don1500]

Gray beard, got it:

[Steadman Uhlich]

I got a chuckle from your post, which I enjoyed reading. Five years of traveling up and down the ICW is an enviable amount of experience for that cruising area for most. I hope to enjoy that in the future.

[KidSheeleen]

Gray hair, beard, ponytail is a must, along with 10yr old t-shirts properly faded and wrinkled lol.

[Tayana42]

Don't forget the flip flop tan lines on your feet, scars on your busted knuckles and shorts you haven't washed or changed for a month. Oh yeah, sailing experience is good too.


S/V B'Shert

[richardhenshaw]

Was that Ken from the midwest and Ludi from Slovakia on a Morgan 34?

[reed1v]

Dont forget the pink baseball cap(faded of course), a dab of rum on your body in the mornings, and lots of wrinkles around your eyes. Tongue hanging out is optional.

[LLCoolDave]

Time to write an ICW guidebook and make some $$$. lol Great post.

[anacapaisland42]

Yes, you are all correct BUT you have missed the most important one

A pipe in the mouth :-)

Bill

Originally Posted by Don1500

After living aboard for 5 years and traveling the ICW up and back every spring and fall I guess I have finally been confirmed as an "Old Salt". I met a couple of guys bringing their first boat (34' sail) down the ICW. They pumped me about every anchorage, mooring field, shoal, inlet, and marina from Oriental to Stewart. Funny part was I knew them all, and had opinions that sounded like I knew what I was talking about. When they said they went outside I knew where they had to have come in. When they talked about shoals I was able to identify the mile marker (or at least the name of the body of water they were in). Of course being a sailor I did embellish the truth about the squalls and storms I had been in, and the size of the seas I sailed through. But we had a good talk about our experiences, trails and tribulations. They are heading south in the AM and I will be here till at least January.