THE PIRATE
Many different things motivate the Pirate, but above all, he revels in taking the boat to the edge, often beyond comfort, prudence or reason. Perhaps he is a hardcore sailboat racer who hasn't transitioned to the more relaxed mentality of a cruiser and views every boat as a racing vessel. Perhaps he is a boat owner, and thinks that the charter boat is just a rental, not deserving of the same care he would give his own boat. Or perhaps he is a total neophyte who has watched sailboat racing on TV and wants to try some of it on a charter boat, not knowing that charter boats are designed completely differently that America's Cup or Volvo Ocean Race boats. In almost all cases, HIS name is not on the charter contract, and HIS credit card is
not securing the boat's safe return. In any case, his desire to test the boat's limits tries the patience of the people responsible for the boat.
It's 9 a.m. and everyone is still half asleep or hungover, but The Pirate is screaming commands: "Let out the traveler! Pull in the jib! We can go faster!" Why sail at all if you can't do it "right."
We call the Pirate "Mr. Rail-in-the-Water." He invariably only springs into action when you have one gal in the head, two trying to fix sandwiches, and me mixing drinks; this is when he decides we need 40 degrees of heel.
