Yet another update from the helm of Star of Orion sailing the Gulf of Mexico via Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Its hard to actually put into words what I'm feeling about being a sailboat charter captain. All I can say is that as of right now I feel this is the best decision I've ever made and I feel at home in my new position. Every time I go sailing with new people I'm revitalized and come home with excitement racing through me. After 13 years behind the wheel of a semi tractor trailer, I forgot how nice it is to interact with people and share conversation. I guess us humans really are social creatures and we need the interaction. I'm finding it hard to find anything I miss about my previous life as a truck driver. It just blows me away that I'm out there doing what I love, meeting new people who are actually happy to see me and be on my boat, and making a couple bucks at the same time. Amazing! Another perk is that I'm now waking up with the sun and going to bed when I'm tired, no matter what the time. This is quite the change from my previous life of forcing myself to bed by 9:30-10 pm and waking up at 4 am for work. My body is feeling so much better and I'm feeling like I'm adding years to my life instead of just watching them tick away.
Granted, there is work and responsibility involved. The boat requires constant maintenance as does the business. Cleaning, waxing, oil changes, and other maintenance keep me busy. Birds are constantly crapping on my boat and let me tell you...these birds are bigger down here in Florida. We're talking pelican crap! Its like somebody spilled a bucket of white semi gloss paint on your gear. Yuck! Anything made of fabric is always breaking down from the UV rays and require replacement or repair. I have to hire a diver once a month to dive on Star of Orion and scrape the "fuzz" and barnacles off her so I can slip thru the water better and also not damage the hull. The growth on the hull is amazing down here. Happens very quickly. One day your hull is smooth below the waterline, the next day its got shag carpet all over it! Crazy! The good news is that most of this maintenance is the work I would be doing on my personal boat anyways, so its not really that bad. Plus, I'm at a great marina with great weather and with great scenery all around.
So there you go. Another update from the helm of Star of Orion and Magic Wind Adventure Sailing. Sailing Fort Myers is alive and running and I'm feeling great. Pack your bags, book a cruise, and Lets Go Sailing!!!
Fair Winds,
Captain Dan Mendat
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