kateandjohnsail.boats

We have had our first guests on Quintessa. Fittingly, they were a couple without whose mentorship we would not be prepared to cruise on our own boat. John and Janet Colby are the owners of Iris, a Hylas 42, sister boat to ours, which they keep on the Columbia River in Portland. They are Portland Yacht Club members and John loves to sign up for racing series and pit Iris against other boats on Sunday or Wednesday afternoons. John C has an assortment of hearty crew members that he calls on to help him race, and several years ago he asked the two of us to join. The invitation was humbling for us, with our limited experience, but Captain John proved to be a patient mentor, tolerating the mistakes and missteps of novices aboard. Our four years or so of regular experience on Iris proved to be indispensable in our preparation for sailboat ownership.

But there’s more. Before we met John and Janet, they sailed around the world on Iris. John C is not one to brag about their exploits, but given a couple of beers, he will bring forth colorful and entertaining stories of their adventures. And the two of them possess a wealth of wisdom gained through experience navigating various seas and cultures. They have been generous to share their best tips and hacks for everything from engine maintenance to dealing with port authorities. Janet provides a complimentary set of gifts to the mix; besides possessing compentent seamanship, she will make sure you have fun, eat well, and don’t put up with nonsense (did I mention she is Italian?). Janet was also the one who reiterated the wisdom that if you wait until you’re ready to cruise, you will never get off the dock, so get out there.

Sharing Palermo, two night crossings, Tunisia, southern Sicily, Syracuse and several great meals with John and Janet was a kick. Grazie mille to you, good friends.