kateandjohnsail.boats

We have established the definition of sailboat cruising as “boat repairs in exotic places.” Even the well-equipped Quintessa is no exception, so invariably when we return to the boat from the US, our two “free” pieces of checked luggage each contain 50 pounds of boat tools, parts, and accessories. We’ve even learned that the airlines will tolerate up to 51 pounds without a surcharge, but you didn’t hear that here. TSA is another story; certainly they are scratching their heads when they look at the mishmash of gizmos, Ziploc bags, Amazon packages, contraptions and whatsits that make up the suitcase contents. (One of these days, my ukulele is going to make it to the boat, but there hasn’t been luggage space yet!)

If you are a sailor, you are wondering how we can bring large suitcases to the boat, given that there is no room for luggage onboard. Craigslist (or FB Marketplace) to the rescue. We scout out rolling bags that are cheap, large, and ugly, and buy them to use as one-time luggage. At the destination, we unload them into Quintessa and give them to someone at the marina; after all, everyone “knows a guy” who can take care of such a thing. (Portland friends, we would be happy to take your expired rolling luggage off your hands!)

This trip from Portland to Venice was no exception in terms of bringing boat paraphernalia. In the photo you will see the two very heavy items that the TSA agents found intriguing enough to investigate. I’m sure they did not figure out that these are pieces of a custom-built cutlass bearing that we will have installed in Turkey. The evidence of inspection is that the agent, having determined that no treachery was brewing, carefully re-secured the bubble wrap with special “TSA was here” tape.

What did not fare so well was the special fluid we were bringing to winterize the watermaker in November when we leave the boat for 12 weeks. We had looked for this particular product in many cities and marinas in Europe, and not found it. Delivery from the US is prohibitive, so in one end of a rolling duffel bag, we carried a quart of the liquid in its flat, originally labeled container. When we removed the bag from the luggage carousel, the end of the duffel was unzipped and the bottle was not there. Dang. I’m sending off a missive to TSA, but we are not holding our collective breath awaiting its return.

Hmmm, how about we leave a carefully worded note in all future similarly-packed bags? What should say to convince TSA that these contents are not the droids they are looking for?