Life at The Bottom

The biggest secret to a fast sailboat is to make sure the part below the waterline is clean and smooth. I should know, I am still drying off from chilly dip in the bay with a scrub brush, cleaning a yacht that I will soon be sailing.

My crew was upset one evening while being passed by a sailboat that normally does not get in front of us in races. The sail trim was perfect, weight distribution correct, and we even looked good in our sailing gear. We realized that we had not cleaned the bottom of the boat in a while. A little scrubbing before the next race fixed the problem.

Attention to the things that no one sees is the key to life. No one can see what is below the waterline. Everyone likes cheering for the first runner to the finish line as they break the ribbon. But no one sees the pre-dawn work outs and endless lonely miles.

Personal character, spirituality, morality and discipline are all things I have the hardest time with but require the most work. ?So, join me today at the bottom. Knock off the barnacles, get to the gym, review values, re-new commitments and do the hard things. Let’s sail fast!