For the past few weeks, I've been trying to get together a band of locals to charter a sailboat for a week next spring. Knowing my real life friends, we're talking pirate re-enactors, renaissance faire junkies, and living-history specializing historians.
As I'm ultimately looking for a crew of six (myself included) to charter from one of the various rental locations along the Chesapeake to Virginia Beach and back for a week (a reasonably easy sail, even if we go 20-30 miles offshore to do it), I want a few experienced people, and to round out the crew with a bunch of bluebloods (I grew up on sailboats, so I'm all good for the experienced crew).
This week, one of my big-bosses started posturing with me regarding the local renaissance festival. He announced up and down that he'd have the most authentic pirate outfit there during pirate weekend (he was upset when he found out that he couldn't wear his two 16th century pistols (while historically accurate - and his are real vintage - the festival doesn't allow them, even unloaded). I asked him if he had ever had any real experience on a sailing ship (I've had lots). He sheepishly admitted he hadn't.
This coming spring, I'm planning a sailing trip - modern ship, but with all of the modern navigation and control amenities turned off. We're going to do it completely 16th-18th century style - paper charts, sextants, telescopes, celestial bodies, etc.
Baltimore to Virginia Beach. One week. Those that can't hack it get tossed. Gun crew. Big bangs.
I'm going to invite my big boss. Then we'll really see if he can hack it.
He already respects me. We'll see if I can make him worship me. *evil grin*
