Date: 25 November 2013. Intriguing Possibilities (boat cards)

© janice142
 

The last article in the continuing series on potential partner acquisition [Where the Women Are] suggested strongly a couple of things. Of course you want a person who shares a similar outlook on life and views of the big picture on such as ethics, morals and such. Those devout will find many blessings in church activities. For those so inclined colleges offer classes in a variety of topics. Attend a class and for certain your fellow students will have at least one thing in common, i.e. the class -- thus a shared passion. And passion can lead to, well, passion!
 

Classes men should consider include not just Spanish, but sewing and cooking. One gathering spot for ladies is a sewing class. You will be greatly outnumbered and goodness knows your boat will need cushion covers, window shades, canvas work and such. You might as well learn how to make them rather than paying extravagant amounts for them to be professionally made. Chatting about why you are taking the class is certain to arouse curiosity among the women.

The ladies may well be imagining life afloat simply due to your presence in a class.

 

Trust me when I say you should not take a class in yoga. You will fart, which fails rather spectacularly when attempting to look debonair and suave. A yoga class is not a place to impress the ladies. Gyms are about the same -- you will be surrounded by 20-something Twinkies in fine physical shape, and well, unless you're the stand-in for Adonis, there is bound to be a 20-something fellow to catch her eye.
 

That said, a culinary class will teach you how to prepare feasts and you shall again be surrounded by women. Women want to know how to please as one way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Plus she will be able to cook and that is always a bonus. Additionally, there is a lot good to be said for a man who knows his way around a galley.

I cooked dinner last night and learned a
valuable lesson. The smoke alarm works.
 

Smoke alarms should always be mounted close to the ceiling.

 

A foreign language class in Spanish for those of us heading toward the Caribbean can lead to many possibilities and friendships. After class sharing a coffee is always a good thing. There are several reasons why stopping for a cup of java with a classmate is just about perfect.
 

1. From a budgetary standpoint, coffee is not costly.
    

2. Because the coffee will be drunk in a relatively short period of time you do not have to worry about a deep conversation.
    

3. And if things are going well, exchange phone numbers and you are on your way to a new friendship.

 

Spanish for Cruisers

At one time I had both Spanish and French for Cruisers aboard Seaweed. Should I decide to head through the Caribbean again someday I will repurchase the duo.   ← Affiliate Links →

French for Cruisers

Regarding phone numbers, you absolutely NEED a boat card at this point. Boat cards (otherwise known in the dirt-dwelling world as business cards) contain things you would wish to share with fellow boaters.
 

Boat Card Primer
My cards have the boat's name, mine, Skipper, the website, plus my mailing address and telephone number. The typical Boat Card also tells the name and size of the boat along with a picture of the boat. Anyway, here are a few of mine, with the personal stuff removed:
As you can see, boat cards come in many formats. Mine all feature the boat as I am quite certain that is the most interesting part for folks. There were just six of these mini-trawlers built back in the early 80's and as I understand it only three remain. Boat folks quite naturally have some curiosity about unusual boats.   Plus of course my crew is there. Skipper is quite the boat dog. On a few of the cards her picture is featured and folks with pets always get a card with my Deck Swabbie, aka First Mate Skipper.   Still your boat card is a way to differentiate yourself from the average Joe on the streets. You are living (or preparing to live) a life that others only dream about. A gal getting a boat card is certainly going to be intrigued.

So you have had coffee with the lovely lady. Next comes breakfast or lunch. After your next class together, invite her to share a meal. Your choice of diner (please, a diner -- not fast food, nor a full-blown, i.e. expensive restaurant, unless of course your finances can manage that without issue) will be what you can maintain. Do not go "all out" on these first meetings or:
 

1. She will naturally believe you are made of money and will expect more in the future. Even if your finances are such that you can continue with that level, I will advise not to do so, yet.
    

2. You want a gal who wants you for yourself, not the thickness of your wallet.
    

3. If she is less accustomed to the more exclusive spots, that is not a great thing for the conversation to flow naturally as she could become intimidated and/or nervous. Your goal is to get to know her.
    

If you are in Marathon, FL I would suggest the 7-Mile Grill. Here is the place and yours truly in 2001.
 

Besides, you might wish to impress her later. If you have gone all out from the first meeting how can you top that? Diners -- real ones, not the chain restaurant-diners, are your best bet. Your choice will show you are not boring and willing to experiment to discover those out of the way places that real folks habituate.
 

Be a girl with a mind, a woman with attitude and a lady with class.

Rosalie shared photos from her own Great Loop journey one afternoon.
 

Ladies with our own boats could if we so desired find fellows with relative ease. The place boaters congregate is the local marine hardware store. Most likely will be owners of the little center console boats versus cruisers. A better place to find men would be a class in celestial navigation or engine mechanics. Fellows like to show off their skills and will definitely want to know more about your boat and you.
 

If you're so inclined that is. Of course weeding the wheat from the chaff is a challenge. Some men seem to think coming on like a bulldozer is a good thing. Others are so obtuse we are left clueless as to if you are interested. Men are a confusing species.

Edwin and Doreen had a great time getting to know each other at the American Legion one winter afternoon.
 

Women are meant to be loved,
not to be understood. Oscar Wilde.
 

And where do you cruising fellows meet the ladies? This works for both genders incidentally. Pull into a nice marina and nearby you'll find a breakfast and lunch diner. Go every day, have coffee and wait for an interesting individual to arrive. I have heard from reliable sources that working women take lunch in diners along the waterfront to admire the boats, and since you have one of them...! Ditto too the men who dream of one day sailing off.
 

The great thing is the other person is comfortable at the diner. When folks are not nervous it is easier to chat, thus making the connection that may lead to a full-blown Something. Asking questions is a good start. Most people like to talk about themselves. Do be sure you do not turn into an inquisitor! Nor should you tell your entire life story (leave out the broken romances at this point) but do share your plans for cruising.
 

Also, though you may be planning to sail around the world please focus on short term goals such as going to a near-by place dolphin are known to frequent, or perhaps a beach a few miles up the coast where seashells are in abundance. If the fishing is purported to be superb nearby tell her you would like to go there. Short term goals versus long are a far better/more realistic sounding than the dreams of some distant future.

Otherwise you sound like either a braggart or a blowhard -- neither are appealing.
 

Most women like the familiar and if you are talking about sailing far away from shore she is naturally going to worry. So start small and, just like Redd in the Travelers Met article, acclimate your intended to the positive aspects of your life.
 

How did you meet your cruising partner?
Did the partner come before or after the boat? 
 

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