Kismet: noun. fate; destiny
Kismet is our Sabre 28’ sailboat that we’ve had for 10 years this year. She’s been a learning curve for me in the sailing world but more than that, a place where Gene and I could work together, grow in our skills, support each other and spend time doing something we both love. When I hit the menopause years, it was a savior for me to get out on the water—-face those strong winds and swim in cool waters. During a bad patch at work that coincided with this time, I would dream of the weekends when we’d “run away” and be on the boat. Sleeping under the open hatch with the stars at night, and waking to the sun coming over the horizon and finding me through the small porthole. I just couldn’t wait to be out there on Kismet. It was a place where I felt good, felt competent and connected with nature.
We had a pause the year I was sick, and the following year was still too challenging for me physically. The sadness of not being able to sail that year sat like a rock in my stomach and has been one of the main goals I sought once I started to get better. So here we are in 2022 and we’ve been out a number of times with short overnights or just to hang out in the cockpit for drinks. The cove we’re moored in is beautiful—a marsh area with a protective seawall and wide variety of birds. People travel to places like this and yearn to own a slice of this life. This is my bliss!
The added dimension this year is our little furry friend, Cormac. He has made his mark already in the way of shedding on the upholstery, but we find he’s a great able-bodied sailor and getting more acclimated with each visit. He knows when it’s time to go below, where to tuck in, and when to stay out of the way. Then when we make our arrival, he’s ready to come back up to the cockpit and await further instructions before hopping off in the dinghy to make the visit on shore. We have a new rhythm and he’s figured out how to move about the boat once we’ve landed. He’s also a bit of a rock star wherever we take him—a 20lb bundle of cuteness, so his love of people make this so much easier!
Kismet has some miles on her but she’s a lovely boat with plenty of room to be comfortable and does well in all weather. She continues to be a source of deep satisfaction in many ways. She’s 28’ of fortitude and capability and adequately keeps us safe and provided for comfortably in her teak cabin with the brass fittings and friendly oil lantern that lights our evenings and keeps us warm.
One of these summers in the near future, I’d like to take several weeks to travel up the coast to Maine, her home ground where she originated. She’s a coastal cruiser—much like us—and likes the comfort of a good 10 knot breeze and a friendly anchorage to relax in at night. I’ve added this to my list of aspirations, to map out how we would travel, gather the suggestions and info from friends, and think about how much tonic we can pack on board for such a trip! It’s all part of the ongoing adventures we have with this boat and as a (now) trio as I move my dreams into reality and continue to enjoy life!
Kismet: noun. fate; destiny
