Capt. Mark East’s Advice to the Careworn, Confused, Lovelorn and Other Outdoor People



Dear Capt. Mark East,
For many years (I'm 63) I have been dreaming about sailing around the world. I've read lots of books and finally bought with my life's savings a 1958 Tripp-designed 36' wooden sloop, which with my new girl friend (age 42), I'm learning to sail. So far we've spent some lovely nights aboard except for occasionally having to get up and turn on the electric bilge pump. I know you've had a lot of experience. Would you share it with me.
Signed Wanderlust

Dear Wanderlust,
My sincere advice to you is to install an automatic bilge pump, and buy the biggest batteries and a solar panel to service the batteries. Go to your favorite music store and load up on all the Jimmy Buffet CD's available. Then anchor in nearby coves NMT 10 miles away. If you should make it to St. Thomas in the Virgin Island, as many anchored dreamers do, you'll have plenty of company. Oh, see your lawyer to make out a will before you leave.

Dear Capt. East,
I am a young lobsterman from the great state of Massachusetts. I have fallen in love with a wealthy summer person's daughter whose other passion is tennis. She likes to go out on my lobster boat (after I bleach it down well of course) but she seems to get a bit bored at times and misses the tennis. What can I do to make her happy.
Signed, Tennis and Love

Dear Tennis and Love,
Well Son, I'd say you've got a challenge on your hands in more directions than one. As for the tennis and boating (this would be excellent for her “net” game and make you a hero).....get a piece of 1/2” 4'x8' exterior plywood at the lumber store. Paint a tennis net on it. Clamp this to your aft cockpit gunnel. Get plenty of tennis balls...the blaze orange or yellow variety.... and take her cruising for the afternoon. Plan a short, choppy day. The motion of the boat will give her game an added challenge as she bangs the balls off the plywood “net.” Perhaps this could be larger than you think. Let me know how you make out...
Capt. Mark East

Write: capmarke@gmail.com