Heaving to

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“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.