Editor’s Notebook
by
Molly Winans
Sittin’ Style
O
ne thing you do not hear sailors bragging rights and make it an awesome from the last time I had checked. It’s worth say is: “I can’t wait to go sailing on gift for the outdoorsy soul who has evit. Saturday and spend six hours on erything. Who else at your neighborhood They bill it as an “all-in-one cushion, my rear end.” That they are excited to get concert in the park has a built-in thermal seat, and recliner” with a “heavy-duty some fresh air, yes. Sun and wind on the pouch big enough to fit four 12-ounce beer ratcheting hinge” for five reclining posiface, definitely. Some solid sitting time? cans below the cup holder of the padded tions. What this means in real life is that Sailors tend to skip that part. It might be armrest? How about an attached bottle you can sit up straight and comfortably as denial. Unless you are a dinghy racer on a opener, a pouch for an iPod and opening you eat a nice dinner in the cockpit, drag windy day, in which case you work your leg for the headphones, a lumbar roll, and a it over to soften your seat as you steer the and core muscles with hiking straps and removable ottoman? True, it does retail for boat, recline and relax as your first mate trapezes, you are probably spending most $49 to $99 (seemingly based on the footsteers, ratchet it flat and take a nap on it, of your sailing hours sitting, and in August, waiting. Even in windy months, phrases such as “butt cleat” and “rail meat,” the widespread usage of padded shorts, and the hefty price for marine cushions are further proof that we sailors spend serious time on our duffs. We don’t advertise how often we sit around, as it is not terribly adventurous; but it is inevitable, especially in a season known for slow sailing. When the Chesapeake Bay’s dog days ##The umbrella is smart, but the bells and whistles are what give ##The Go Anywhere Chair ensures that sailors of all sizes arrive, some sailors opt the chair’s owner bragging rights. are more comfortable on deck. for alternate activities, such as a day at the beach, a camping rest or lack thereof), but I figure my other ratchet it back up and watch fireworks or trip, a lawn concert. What may enhance beach chair was a hand-me-down, with the the sunset from the bow, take it off the such activities? Cool chairs, of course. Last only benefit being that it still works. No boat and carry it to the maritime muweekend, when a bank sign en route to Re- sun shade, no beer cooling capabilities, no seum concert, and stow it easily. But, no hoboth Beach read 97 degrees by 11 a.m., footrest. umbrella, no mini-cooler. Eventually, those we tested our new Sport-Brella Chair XTR We could only find two areas of ratcheting hinges bust a spring and make for the first time in the hot sand. improvement for the Sport-Brella Chair. the chair go permanently flat. Sigh. What initially appealed to me about Lugging the packed 12-pound sleeve down It is nice to have options, though, the chair was the swiveling umbrella. The the beach would feel less cumbersome with however imperfect, because man, it’s hot. sun has been my friend for long enough a padded strap… or temperatures below Am I right that most of us will venture for us to act like siblings; we have our 90 degrees. Swimmers may find that water outside, anyway? Let’s relax and remember battles. I am losing, but I have befriended pools on the seat, so some sort of drain how nice it is to slow down, sit down, and wide-brimmed hats, biminis, and my new may help. Or a towel. spend time with our friends, even if to just 50 SPF Sunbrella sun shade that can be When it comes to my favorite chairs, wait for wind. rotated 360 degrees and tilted as the sun this new one almost ties with the top chair and breeze shift. for most of my weekends: the West Marine The umbrella is smart, but the bells and Go Anywhere Chair. On the day I looked whistles are what give the chair’s owner it up, it was on sale for $49, a $30 savings
12 August 2012 SpinSheet
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