I want to be a noted yachtsman! I recently read the obituary of a prominent person and one of the merits listed was that he was a noted yachtsman. That night, I told my wife, Barbara, when I died I wanted the epitaph, College Professor and Noted Yachtsman” on my tombstone. She looked at me somewhat incredulously and stated that I was not a “noted yachtsman” and that could not go on my stone.
Well the obvious question that follows is, how does one become a “noted yachtsman?” I have been asking around my marina and I have not heard any good answers. Actually, I haven’t heard any answers at all, but I’ve heard a lot of suggestions. My friend Bob (a retired bay pilot who lives on his 50-foot Ocean Alexander) suggested that I replace “noted yachtsman” with “avid boater.” I’m sorry Bob, it’s just not the same thing.
UNDERSTANDING THE MEANING
Let’s start simply, with the definition of yacht, according to dictionary.com. (I had to use the Internet—I no longer own a dictionary.)
yacht (yät) n. 1. Any of various relatively small sailing or motor-driven vessels, generally with smart graceful lines, used for pleasure cruises or racing.
2. An expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
Source: WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University
OK, my “yacht” definitely fits into these definitions. My vessel is 43 feet long, luxurious (it has an air conditioner and a head—two of each as a matter of fact), and I keep it in the Havre de Grace Yacht Basin—a yacht belongs in a yacht basin. My vessel also has a tender that I lift with my crane and carry on top of the sundeck. Most yachts have tenders, I think.
Now let’s look at the word yachtsman.
yachts·man (yätsmn) n. A man who owns or sails a yacht.
Source: WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University
Great! I am in! I am a man, even if that does not sound politically correct today, I am! And, as I have gotten older I write notes to myself all of the time—there is one next to me right now that says bring back antacid and clean underwear to the boat (oops, yacht). I realize this last point probably does not count and I need to take a closer look at the word “noted.”
There is no definition for noted yachtsman so I am forced to look up the word noted. As you have guessed by now the “noted” part is the Catch 22. Here we go!
not·ed (ntd) adj. Distinguished by reputation; famous: a noted physician. Synonyms:include celebrated, eminent, famed, famous, illustrious, notable, preeminent, and renowned. These adjectives mean widely known and esteemed: a noted author; a celebrated musician; an eminent scholar; a famed scientist; a famous actor; an illustrious judge; a notable historian; a preeminent archaeologist; a renowned painter.
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Once again, I think I make the grade here. I definitely have a reputation at my marina. I don’t really want to tell you what my reputation is, but I am pretty sure if you ask most people at my marina (and other marinas on the bay) they will know me.
NOTED YACHTSMAN!
I think I am close here! When it gets down to it, do I have to do something special to be a noted yachtsman? I have cruised the Chesapeake Bay for 32 years in everything from a 19-foot wood cabin cruiser to my current 43-foot Albin trawler. I have been in storms and watched water spouts, I have been in waves that brought my props out of the water and tears to my eyes, and I have towed and been towed. What does one have to do to be a noted yachtsman? How far does one have to go? I promise you, I will do it!
Then I came up with this idea: How about if I am a published writer living on my boat? Oops, once again, I meant yacht here. (If you are going to be a noted yachtsman, you have to use the correct terminology.) So it is up to you—the reader—to decide. Am I on the way to my dream or will I be consigned to the category of “avid boater” as I head towards eternity? It is up to you!
J. Ryker Hughes is an assistant professor of business at Harford Community College in Bel Air, Maryland. He has been cruising on Chesapeake Bay for the last 32 years, since being introduced to boating by his wife, Barbara. They cruise out of Havre de Grace, Maryland on their 43-foot Albin trawler, Parrot Dice.
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