Back in March, I stayed on my own for a month in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. During that time, I hardly moved the boat — just stayed in the same anchorage, got a few projects done, and buried my head in work for a while.
When Nike returned, it was time to move again. We decided to sail around the island and enjoy the sunnier south side of Gran Canaria. This time, though, we switched roles: Nike was in charge for the journey south.
To be fair, that didn’t change too much, because we already share most responsibilities on board. Santana has a heavy anchor setup and no electric windlass, so handling the anchor usually falls to me — which means Nike is often at the helm.
When we’re underway and need to set up special sail configurations — flying the Blister or poling out the genoa — it becomes quite a dance: some careful coordination and a fair amount of heavy lifting. My part usually involves hauling lines and rigging gear, while Nike keeps us on course (and, hopefully, doesn’t lose me overboard).
This time, though, she was in full command — and I didn’t do anything without her direction.
It’s funny how different it feels to actually be in charge. I remember when I was on Nike’s boat, Karl. I could make suggestions easily enough — and when she agreed, it felt like I’d made the decision. But the moment she handed me full responsibility, I suddenly felt unsure about every move without her confirmation.
That’s exactly why these little “role swaps” matter. It’s not just about knowing how to handle the boat — it’s about understanding how we both think and communicate. You start explaining things you thought were obvious, and in doing so, you spot potential misunderstandings before they turn into real ones.
We only stayed a short while in the south before the wind shifted southwest, leaving our anchorage exposed. Time to move again — but not before learning a few things about control, trust, and the quiet art of letting someone else take the wheel.
Stay curious, stay salty.
– Floh