Heaving to
“In sailing , heaving to (also heave to) is a way of slowing the boat’s forward progress, fixing the helm and foresail position so that the boat doesn’t have to be actively steered, thereby allowing the crew to attend other tasks. It is commonly used for a “break” while waiting out a storm, or by the solo sailor as a way to provide time to go below deck or attend to issues elsewhere on the boat (including taking a lunch break). ”
In the photo above, notice that the foresail (the sail in front) is not being allowed to tack over to the same side as the mainsail (big sail). Bill did this, heaving to, not because we lost a man overboard, or because there was an urgent matter to attend to. The weather was GORGEOUS, the sun warm and lovely. He did it just because. To savor the moment and slow down our progress back to shore. He let go of the tiller and walked around the boat, taking it all in. The boat just floated in the same place….blue-green water below and powder blue sky above. Our tiny island suspended in time.
I am heaving to. Not to tend to anything urgent or to weather a storm. I am doing it ……..just because. Like Bill, I want to take it all in.
How beautiful that I can share in this awesome peaceful sight with you. What a gorgeous picture and post.
Sail on Family, sail on……
What an incredibly fabulous analogy. Pursue the stillness. Beautiful.
This is my first time to your blog and it is really awesome. I loved going back to look at the pictures of your beautiful family and your gorgeous daughter. Congrats on her recent 4th birthday. It’s bittersweet how quickly they grow up. Keeping them babies is one of those things in life that I wish we could heave to!
Thanks for sharing the amazing moment with us. Truly lovely.
May we all have such precious moments where ever we are, moments we want to slow down to savor and not just rush through to get onto the “next big thing.”
Enjoy.
Hi Jodi,
What a beautiful picture and wonderful thoughts to go with it.
You’re so fortunate to be able to give your children these amazing experiences. The memories will last them always.
xo