Capt. Piescik and his Madness

I just had a weekend I will never forget! "Madness" is a 40+ foot Pearson owned and operated by our own Walter "Waller" and his lovely wife Dana. I have always loved boats and have spent allot of time on power boats. Since I learned kiting and spent time with my dad on his small sunfish sailboat I have been looking forward to go sailing on a larger boat. I did get to go on the Schooner Libery but nothing is like getting to crew for a private vessel like Madness. The plan was to head to Cuttyhunk and have a beach party. The twist was that this was a Pirate event for national talk like a pirate day. I jumped at the chance. After loading our gear and meeting Captin Robert and his wife we slipped of the dock and headed out to Buzzards Bay under a light breeze. Walter had me working with Dana to learn how to rig and hoist the sails.

I just learned and absorbed everything I could. From how to roll lines, to how to work the winches, understanding wind, and how to optimize sheet. During this sail we had the opportunity to hoist a Mizzen which is this huge sail that nestles between the others and was just an amazing sight. We pulled into the bay at Cuttyhunk under sail as Walter does not mess around! We made a big batch of Family Punch made with lots of RUM. Then we got the smoker and gear to shore and built a good size bonfire. I then spotted a surfboard and Walter with his own we decided to paddle out. Halfway out I realized that my wedding ring was on my finger and decided to turn around. It was at that moment that I got slammed by a wave like getting struck by lightening. The ring was gone and I was left with the still fresh memory of trying to avoid the possibility. I cannot believe how that happened - the timing. I thought I might sell this surf board to buy a new one until the owner showed up and that was short lived. So with my wedding ring at the bottom of Cuttyhunk and my new surfboard returned to its forgetful owner I decided "Lets drink now" Have you ever drank with a pack of pirates! OMG these people were having a blast! Dingy races and boat parties I was right in my element.

Pirates LOVE family punch that's all I have to say. Then when that was gone we drank Dark and Stormies. The next day after breakfast we powered back to the marina and did rig the spinnaker which was another gorgeous sail used to pilot downwind. We hung out for lunch. Later Walter took me out for a sail just the two of us that I wont soon forget. Taking direction from Capt and picking his brain for as much as I could absorb. I was able to rig that 43ft beauty through direction and take the helm. I got a lesson in charts wind directions, tell tails on the sheets, how to trim and adjust my course to maximize speed. We practiced tacks and toward the end I was getting the hang of it. Amazing to see how much there is to learn even more than kiting. Every time you touch a line or adjust your course there is work to be done. The teamwork, timing, and communications are a must. Without the vocabulary you chance someone getting hurt and things happen fast. A loose line can wreck havoc across the bow, you can fall into the galley through a port, get tossed by a boom, or have you hand pulled into a winch to name a few. This is one sport best to do without boat drinks and I was having to much fun watching the beauty of the rig and bow crashing through the water on a slight list to even think of anything else but the moment.

I am in love! I would consider joining a crew for a short trip or even participate as a deck hand on a racing boat. Thank you Walter for such a great experience. If you ever need a deck hand I am there. The more tacks, sail changes, and turns the better. Keep me working and I hope for even more wind next time to bury that rail! "Madness" what an experience! Oh and we got a MASSkiting bumper sticker on there too Walter is an amazing Waterman it was great getting to spend some good time off the beach but certainly not without adventure... Argghh!

If you ever get to speak to Walter ask him about his travels and sails. Not everyday you meet a true waterman ready to share and teach a lifestyle he charismatically calls "Madness"