SINGAPOOORE i LUB CHOO. OK happy national day one and all.
So i'll cross the skies and sail the seas
To be where i wanna be.
And what a great way to spend national day sailing abroad the Four Friends. So Four Friends is the schooner the lucky bastards j1 exco got to sail in in May. It s got a really vintage make and feel to it, with two masts and 4 large sails and two engines to boot.
We were supposed to take part in a race off Tuas but the captain had a flu and the boat wasnt prep-ed and what nots so he opted for a leisure sail off changi today. Supposed to have 8 odacians from RJ but two J1 gals pulled out (which was a real pity) so it was me, james, kelly, gavan, deshawn and jon yee. And so we gathered around 11am at Changi Sailing Club. Met the other group of VJ odacians and then we were all marched onboard to meet Captain Blake and his beaut.
And no great ship is complete without a great captain, and Four Friends certainly did not disappoint. Captain Blake was a New Zealander with much grey hair but beneath that greying look was a man of much youth and energy. He never failed to crack a joke and make us feel at home on board his craft. We first started with a safety briefing, in which the cap'n assured us the boat was "unsinkable" and in the event of a great "nautical emergency" were were to do the only logical thing - grab all the beer and board the speedboat. Of course call for help - but only after we're drunk and there's no more beer.
With so much beer on board, the Captain had to have strict rules on drinking. Like no one below the AGE OF SIX was allowed to drink hard liquor (which means beer is just like water, free for all). The beer served was "Skol" a beer in gold can that really didn't have the strong bitter aftertaste of ur usual beers. No wonder it was said the captain was never seen drinking water, only beer. And so we were off on a free trip (that would cost 3k to charter the boat usually) and with free beer too.
The boat initally sailed with the powerful motors running on petrol (not beer, though i suspect like her captain she would be willing to have a drink or two). But as soon as there was some wind, we quickly raised the sails. Which took a heck of a lot of effort. We really had to "pull like hell" to get those mega canvases up. Although there wasnt much wind today, the occassional part where the sails caught the wind, the boat would bank (to the port side) and you'll have this terrifying view of the boat tilting frighteningly to the left.
So with the sea as our orchestra, the water spraying and the sun brightly shining, the four friends (me kelly gavan james) hung around the bow, sitting precariously eating our lunches. Thankfully, there wasnt much time to feel bored.
Soon the boomnet(which is this huge hammock like fishing net) was dropped into the sea and one by one we jumped in. One hand clinging to the netting, the onther on your shorts. And it was really struggle to cling on, and feel the waves hitting you hard, one heck of an experience. Gavan decided to be a bit man and dive in then try and catch the net as the boat sail past but he jumped too far out, missed and was cast man overboard.
After much picture taking, boomnetting, ladder climbing, we got near pulau sekudu (off ubin) and anchored there. Took the kayaks out to play and walked around the island. It was sadly littered with litter (haha pun) and then the 4 of us wanted to try playing the powerboat so we got TJ (this singaporean guy) to take us out for a joyride. The powerboat (or small speedboat) was really tricky to steer.So after much hanging around, more beer and food and more photos, we got back on Four Friends and headed back for Changi. Then dinner at Changi village where we watched the parade proceedings.
Truly, i am glad i came onboard this trip and this wonderful ship. No better way to spend national day then with the sea breeze upon your face, the gentle rocking (im still rocking now) of the sea, the occassional hitting of the wave on the boomnet, the buring sun on the deck floor, the heavy lines and the expansive view. Maybe its time ODAC 22 got a sail boat yeah or at least for End of Year. That'll tryly be, huat ah.
And so with that, the four friends bid goodbye to the worthy craft that was the Four Friends and her vivacious captain, Captain Blake.
P.S. with james and gavan around, pictures abound, which will be uploaded later. Even kelly brought her pink camera.
So i'll cross the skies and sail the seas
To be where i wanna be.
And what a great way to spend national day sailing abroad the Four Friends. So Four Friends is the schooner the lucky bastards j1 exco got to sail in in May. It s got a really vintage make and feel to it, with two masts and 4 large sails and two engines to boot.
We were supposed to take part in a race off Tuas but the captain had a flu and the boat wasnt prep-ed and what nots so he opted for a leisure sail off changi today. Supposed to have 8 odacians from RJ but two J1 gals pulled out (which was a real pity) so it was me, james, kelly, gavan, deshawn and jon yee. And so we gathered around 11am at Changi Sailing Club. Met the other group of VJ odacians and then we were all marched onboard to meet Captain Blake and his beaut.
And no great ship is complete without a great captain, and Four Friends certainly did not disappoint. Captain Blake was a New Zealander with much grey hair but beneath that greying look was a man of much youth and energy. He never failed to crack a joke and make us feel at home on board his craft. We first started with a safety briefing, in which the cap'n assured us the boat was "unsinkable" and in the event of a great "nautical emergency" were were to do the only logical thing - grab all the beer and board the speedboat. Of course call for help - but only after we're drunk and there's no more beer.
With so much beer on board, the Captain had to have strict rules on drinking. Like no one below the AGE OF SIX was allowed to drink hard liquor (which means beer is just like water, free for all). The beer served was "Skol" a beer in gold can that really didn't have the strong bitter aftertaste of ur usual beers. No wonder it was said the captain was never seen drinking water, only beer. And so we were off on a free trip (that would cost 3k to charter the boat usually) and with free beer too.
The boat initally sailed with the powerful motors running on petrol (not beer, though i suspect like her captain she would be willing to have a drink or two). But as soon as there was some wind, we quickly raised the sails. Which took a heck of a lot of effort. We really had to "pull like hell" to get those mega canvases up. Although there wasnt much wind today, the occassional part where the sails caught the wind, the boat would bank (to the port side) and you'll have this terrifying view of the boat tilting frighteningly to the left.
So with the sea as our orchestra, the water spraying and the sun brightly shining, the four friends (me kelly gavan james) hung around the bow, sitting precariously eating our lunches. Thankfully, there wasnt much time to feel bored.
Soon the boomnet(which is this huge hammock like fishing net) was dropped into the sea and one by one we jumped in. One hand clinging to the netting, the onther on your shorts. And it was really struggle to cling on, and feel the waves hitting you hard, one heck of an experience. Gavan decided to be a bit man and dive in then try and catch the net as the boat sail past but he jumped too far out, missed and was cast man overboard.
After much picture taking, boomnetting, ladder climbing, we got near pulau sekudu (off ubin) and anchored there. Took the kayaks out to play and walked around the island. It was sadly littered with litter (haha pun) and then the 4 of us wanted to try playing the powerboat so we got TJ (this singaporean guy) to take us out for a joyride. The powerboat (or small speedboat) was really tricky to steer.So after much hanging around, more beer and food and more photos, we got back on Four Friends and headed back for Changi. Then dinner at Changi village where we watched the parade proceedings.
Truly, i am glad i came onboard this trip and this wonderful ship. No better way to spend national day then with the sea breeze upon your face, the gentle rocking (im still rocking now) of the sea, the occassional hitting of the wave on the boomnet, the buring sun on the deck floor, the heavy lines and the expansive view. Maybe its time ODAC 22 got a sail boat yeah or at least for End of Year. That'll tryly be, huat ah.
And so with that, the four friends bid goodbye to the worthy craft that was the Four Friends and her vivacious captain, Captain Blake.
P.S. with james and gavan around, pictures abound, which will be uploaded later. Even kelly brought her pink camera.
Labels: four frindson the Four Friends
posted by gg | 12:28 AM
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