Law of the Boat
 Wherever one of us is, that's where the other wants to be.


Of course the 26-foot Thunderbird sailboat was cramped, with no galley, no head and no headroom either. When Marilynn and I moved around, it was like a dance. One of us would slip aside just as the other went by. We couldn't get away from each other, so the Law of the Boat really didn't apply.

Then came the Tollycraft 26 powerboat, with what seemed like acres of room. Seperation at last, we thought. But no. When I wanted to go forward, Marilynn was in the way. When Marilynn watned to go out to the back deck, I was blocking the door. One of us couln't move without the other being affected. Thus was born the Law of the Boat.

The larger Tolly 37 should have put to rest the Law of the Boat. But it hasn't. One of us is still standing exactly where the other wants to be. "Law of the Boat," we'll say, and we'll make room to get by. At least we realized it's the boat's fault, not ours. Or maybe we're just clumsy.

- Robert Hale, in the Waggoner Crusing Guide 2004

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