Sailing is as much about judgment as it is movement—reading wind, water, and timing with precision. These posts explore life on the water, from practical experience to the quieter realities of navigation, weather, and decision-making, where small choices can carry significant consequences.
Mitchell watched Natasha walk away in her mother’s yellow dress—Nina’s dress. She moved just as Nina once did: light steps, glances over the shoulder, playful gestures. Mitchell called out gentle instructions as if through a dream. The scene played out as it had in his mind for years, except now, Natasha was unknowingly resurrecting the
When Memory Wears Yellow Read More »
Mitchell gives Natasha control of the yacht for the first time. She watches the shoreline, nervously monitoring the boat’s drift. He knows it’s not moving—but gives her this task to build trust. It matters to her. She wants to prove she can sail with him, belong with him. The engine hums. Mitchell disappears below, leaving
Dressed Like Memory Read More »
Mitchell calls Tony with a demand: fake an urgent counselling session this afternoon. Tony protests—he’s about to leave for a family trip—but Mitchell reminds him of their dark history and the leverage it holds. Cornered, Tony agrees, alters his records, and forges an appointment for 2 pm. His wife, Sophie, believes he’s doing something noble.
The Calm Before the Breakage Read More »
Mitchell helps George install radar on Kiwi Sea, hoisting him up the mast while swapping jokes with Mike—another gadget-obsessed sailor. As Mitchell listens to stories about hidden shipping containers and forward sonar, it’s clear: everyone here prepares for the worst, even if it never comes. The conversation shifts to sailing beyond the bay. Mike talks
What the Bay Knows Read More »
Mitchell and Natasha awaken to a quiet dawn aboard Surly Mermaid. A light breeze ripples the bay. Natasha, still sore from the previous day, teases Mitchell about it while sipping tea in the cockpit. But their morning calm is broken when they spot a strange white float drifting nearby. Curious, Mitchell investigates in the dinghy
Tangled Beneath the Surface Read More »
Mitchell hauls Surly Mermaid down the coast for maintenance but gets swept into an unexpected voyage when Gary, a friend with a casual approach to sailing, invites him to join a group heading south. Among them are Paul and Emma, new sailors on their handmade boat. Mitchell hesitates, then joins. The forecast is ominous. Winds
Drifting Toward Blame Read More »
Michael purchases a medium-sized yacht named Last Laugh despite having no sailing experience. Over five years of learning through failure and success in Moreton Bay, they gain confidence and self-reliance. The yacht becomes a space for writing and reflection, turning challenging experiences into stories and personal growth.
Last Laugh: Finding Myself Between the Tides Read More »
Aboard Surly Mermaid, Mitchell explains how isolation at sea shifts power towards the skipper. He recalls misleading a woman about an overnight voyage, watching her confidence disappear with the shoreline. No violence was necessary. Distance created dependency, and denying the intimacy she expected became Mitchell’s most satisfying act of control.
The Skipper’s Game: Women on Yachts Read More »
Alan and Wendy jolted awake to a strange thud against their yacht, Rising Wind. “The dinghy?” Wendy asked. Alan grumbled and listened—no tension on the tether. “Something’s not right,” he muttered, slipping into a battered tee and stepping out to the deck. Morning light revealed nothing unusual: empty bottles from the night before, a lazy
Still Waters, Dark Secrets Read More »
He was stopped by water police for speeding and lacking a valid boat license after moving interstate in Australia. Despite extensive boating experience, he learned that licenses do not automatically transfer. The encounter highlighted the importance of civility with authorities, resulting in only a warning for speeding and a manageable path to re-licensing.
Avoiding Boating Fines in Australia: A Personal Experience Read More »