Page 131 - IT'S A RUM LIFE BOOK TWO "BOSTON 1960 TO 1970"

Ruth and I thought long and hard, we were bitterly upset
by our hard earned savings just being frittered away through
no fault of our own.
We did have a little money put away and our earnings were
good, my now having a permanent position with Firestone and
Ruth being a Staff Nurse on the London Road Hospital
Orthopaedic Ward.
Sailing was our passion to such an extent that when Ruth
was in hospital giving birth to Helen, I persuaded my much
taller sister, Jane, to crew for me in a local club knock out
competition, a series of races where we risked disqualification
for not taking part.
The experience was comical for me, not so for my sister
who had never been in a sailing boat before, never mind a
racing thoroughbred like “Bamboozle”!

Following the arrival of Helen in 1968, we began looking
for a sailing boat which was somewhat more stable than
Bamboozle and had some cabin room. “Navita” was the next, a
converted ships lifeboat of about 16 feet of length and good
beam (width); she had been the property of our last Sailing
Club Commodore Eric Roberts.

Eric had recently died and his wife announced to the club
that she wished to sell his boat within the club if possible.
“Navita” was gaff rigged, ideal for sailing in our high banked
river “Witham”; there was a small cabin the full width of the
hull but with very low access.
It was ideal for a carry cot and we began to enjoy more
sedentary sailing while at the same time keeping “Bamboozle”
for use in the club competitions.

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