I assembled this a few years ago because even I forget some of the boats and events I sailed. Still fond memories; and still making more.
Category: macrame
SAILING THROUGH LIFE
This is in response to those who asked:”Who are you?” It is a least a dimension.Boats have always been a part of my life. Naturally interwoven with the story of Newport.
KNOTS
I have always been fascinated by knots. It was what every sailor knew when I was young. I was taught by the professional sailors of the era. My first attempt was the black and white belt.I was 13 years old. I no longer remember the name of the string I used but it was still sold in chandleries expressly for macrame.
These professionals told be of a shop specializing in macrame near the docks in Brooklyn. I took a while, but I hitchhiked and found the shop; however the man who owned it was old and had failing health, so all I could do was to gaze in the window.
I still tie knots, I suppose much like someone who knits. During the America’s Cup Jubilee there was a Frenchman (not the one in the video) tying knots on the dock; we had a duel of sorts, testing the other’s knowledge of knots.
MACRAME
When I first started sailing a paid hand on a boat wore khaki trousers and shirt with a black tie and black shoes. They stayed forward of the mast unless called aft. Usually they were consummate seamen. In moments of crisis their word was law. A good example was Willie Carstens; who was inducted into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame a few years ago. He is credited with introducing the dip pole jibe into modern racing.
I had the privilege of knowing many of these men, and having many adventures with them. They were men of few words. I asked many questions and they were generous with their knowledge. Quite apart from the seamanship, macrame or square-knotting was considered an essential skill. I was an eager student.
