Merlin Memories

We got a number of responses to Monday’s call-out for Memories of Merlin. This is one of the best.

"Back in ’78 I thought I would see why my dad and grandfather were so crazy about sailing, as at my age at that time powerboats and water skiing were on my mind," writes Frank Dietsch. "I went down to the docks one Wednesday late afternoon in the Santa Cruz Harbor, stood on the fuel dock, and stuck my thumb out. A huge boat that was headed out — and moving fast — under sail — radically changed course, swung its bow to the dock, turned just in time to avoid collision and the guy at the wheel yelled ‘JUMP!’ I jumped, landing in the cockpit. The driver, who turned out to be Bill Lee, asked me what I knew about sailing. I said, ‘Nothing.’ He said ‘Do you see that rope? That’s a jib sheet. The thing it’s wrapped around is a winch. It controls the sail up front. Do what I tell you to do when I tell you to do it.’ I stood there and did what he said to do. He never stopped talking to me. He told me about the function of various parts of the boat. Why the sails were let in and out. How to read the sail for optimum performance. What a spinnaker was and why have one. He told me why he steered this way and that and what the effects were on the boat and boat speed. He told me about how the wind would change as the sun went down. He told me more and even more about sailing. He told me more than what I thought my brain could absorb. But somehow it did. I have been sailing ever since.

"Thank you Bill Lee. You made a huge difference for me and my family."