“7 7 Today I want to talk about a subject that might ‘sound . boat and your life! a If you own a craft that you love and care for, you try to protect: your property from danger on: the water--- and ‘you know that you‘ could lose your’ boat. That’s why you. make sure you know. abso- ‘manship; you insure your ‘property’; you try to avoid unsettled partnerships; and -you keep your boat. shape’’! You check - the ‘mooring lines before you go home; you turn on the automatic bilge-pump and ‘straighten out the bumper. A last look back. The baby looks safe! e You don’t go out, of course, if the weather fore- cast indicates a craft war- niitg! ot We seem. to forget two important factors that can shorten the lifespan of our boat -- I What happens if our weekend outing turns into a Boozectruise; when a bottle of 75 ’ beer turns into a whole case RIZZUTO’S and the call for a ‘‘high’’ MARINE isn’t far off. “‘Let’s have a joint, to hell with the law. There is nobody out here!"* I don’t want to lecture you :on how it effects your brainwaves; but it definitely makes us forget what we THE PERFECT ESCAPE TAKE YOUR BOAT TO YOUR OWN WATERFRONT HOMESTEAD 9 acre gem with sand beaches, acres and acres of clams, Good Anchorage. Oft Lasqueti island. Full Price $110,000. SECRET COVE Rare waterfront sheltered lots with year round moorage and services. Waterfront for $37, 500, and semi waterfront lots from $11,500. : RENDEZVOUS ISLAND Waterfront Homesteads in this renowned fishing area. Buy ten acres of waterfront land for the unbelievable price of onty $15,000. WATERFRONT FARM 20 acres with 2400 feet of waterfront, beach, private bay. 2 acre vegetable garden, orchard, well, 2 rustic cabins, located on Rendezvous tsland 20 miles NE. of Campbell River. Onty $75,000. LASQUETI ISLAND Watertront acreage trom $18,000. Semi Watertront 10 acre homestead for $15,000. PRIVATE ISLAND 8 acre private istand in Blind Bay with year round sheltered moorage, $65.000. 566 Cardero Street. Vancouver, B C Tel 689-7556 24 Hours a . have learned in’ .our Power “Squadrons Course .-- there- _ tongue, all evils. You. know. there is — “clutely. everything about sea- ' ss ship- i alcohol and drugs! * fore we jeopardize boat and _ crew. . negative, but could save your = oe. “> Thad to learn the hard - way, and will never forget - how fast my heart dropped ~ into my pants; how fF bit my . mumbled - prayers and perspired -- and. collec- ted sweat in the palms of my hands. -It happened i in Cook's Bay, Moorea, French Polynesia. The party had started early this time, just before sunrise. The crew was restless. The night had been. hot and humid. Nine sailors had slept on deck that night due to the tropical heat. An unexpected squall had drenched every- body and nobody felt like sleeping in. The stock of hard liquor was limited, but of wine and beer there was plenty; ° apparently a good reason to celebrate another day of living. Two speakers blared Disco music cut of the Tigging! I had planned to hoist anchor bound for 'Tahiti that day. Départure was easy -- naturally ~ with booze and music, what isn’t easy? The bow pointed straight for the markers, «indicating the pass in the _ reef. Suddenly a loud = crunch. Whoever wasn’t sitting, fell on the- deck. The boat seemed to lurch out of the water. Drinks spilled and cups flew through the air. Screams.out of thirsty throats -- then silence. Only the music kept it’s beat! The boat was aground. Pale faces -- wide, irritated eyes! The aftershock froze my hands to the helm. I didn’t dare to spell it out. We’ sat on the reef! Finally, the.spark of reality woke us up. I leaped down the hatch; ripped the floor- hatches open; thank God, no leak. Two lads dove over the side. The bow had plowed a | 10-foot path in the coral. CB radio-depth trailer with brakes Gill Smith Eves. For Sale 1974 20 ft. Sangster Hardtop -forward cabin-has V bunks- head-hatch-locking door-dinette-galley- canvas-165 Merc-Crulser 1.0. approx. 200 hrs. Comes with Roadrunner A-1 Condition *7775. 5 years bank financing available Dominion Yacht Sales a division of Dominion Vancouver Motors There was no way we could pull ‘her off with a stern anchor. 1 pushed the throttle hard: into reverse. Nothing hap- pened. The tide was on its peak. If we didn’t get her off within an hour, we would be high and dry -- and she might fall over. I asked my crew to stand on the port side (nine people create a lot of weight). By the count of three everybody rushed to starboard. The boat didn’t move. Again -- one, two, three, go! -- and again, and again. sounder-camper 684-6113 922-5502 1 as IF YOU WANT A “HIGH® WHILE AFLOAT: this is the safer way to get ie At last the boat started to rock. The strong, solid keel crunched the coral piece by piece. Something had to give. Not the keel, I prayed. Everybody was sober by now! ‘ Frightening noises came from below; the boat rocked heavier. ‘‘Engine full as- tern!’’ -- Nothing. The bow of the keel was holding us on the reef, the rest had broken free. ‘*Ev- erybody astern, quick!’ Nine desperate souls hung on to the stern pulpit, while the SS hp diesel engine screamed for mercy. 0 ‘*Come on, Baby, you can do it."" She moved -- she really did! Inch by inch she worked her way astern and -- with a gentle shudder -- slid back into freedom. A reason to celebrate -- with tea this time! Drugs were never allowed on board. I made that very clear to the crew. If I found The Force 5 hull weighs 140 Ibs.. -. light for a two man boat. That means added convenience anybody with it, he or she’ would have to leave the ship: in the next port.. Custom -; officials checked the boat in”; each foreign port for illegal * guns -- and especially drugs. if any drugs were found, © the boat would be confis- cated immediately. A hell of a’ way to lose a boat. 1 was very close to it when I sailed © into Honolulu a year later. - The boat had been | searched and cleared by customs in Hilo, the first port ‘- of call on the island. of Hawaii. } sailed with a crew - of six to Waikiki, the tourist . paradise east of Honolulu and tied up at the Hawaii Yacht Club. During the following week friends and relatives paid us a visit; celebrated our safe arrival and stayed over night. One of the guests brought.a full jar of marijuana aboard, and one joint after another changed hands. | closed both eyes, pretended to be easy about it. What could hap- pen? I had the Clearing papers! CONTINUED ON PAGE| 17 and enjoyment. You can Carry it on top of a Car, store it in the garage and launch it just about anywhere.