That sinking feeling
Anchored.©
The boat not boarded.
Everyone feels that at some point or another.
The idyllic life rocking at anchor in the middle of a lake on a Springlike day
Well, there’s the chop to contend with as it’s shallow.
But still. Or sort of still-ish. No neighbors anyway. Not today. With Mardi Gras going on, the loud motorcycles of the water, wave runners, and the endless parade of power boats are missing. A bit early for the “gotta get a tan” crowd.
Have to admire the boaters’ independence camping out there with the stiff frigid north winds that have been around so much this winter and are returning Monday with storms.
Yet another reason to hate Monday.
SOS. Boat down! Boat down! ©
This I can hate any day. Abandoned boat.
This sailboat like a faithful dog bravely waits by the road for its’ skipper. Day after day.
Washed up onto land during Hurricane Ike (Sept 13, 2008)
Mast still held high years later.
Waiting. Sure they will be back soon.
A sinking feeling every time I pass by. The hull’s damaged may be unseen. The insurance company must have paid off. But this boat was someone’s darling once.
At least put it out of its’ misery.
Sailboats were never meant to spend day after day like a goldfish out of water surrounded by weeds, concrete, and fishing boat trailers.
Have mercy. Hospice at least.
Forgotten sailboat hasn’t forgotten.
Difficult to not climb the chain link fence and take things into my own hands.
Maybe a salvage quick claim.
A rescue.
Even the dignity of a watery grave.
I’d want someone to do that for me.
Confused, the boat shivers in the wind. Listening to the singing of the halyards from the boat anchored in the lake.
A lullaby, perhaps.
Do you think boats comfort each other?
Lulling to sleep. Sleep.
Dreams of the deep.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
If only another high tide. It’s not far. Slide down the slight slope and scrape past the breakwater, then alive once more. Deep sea dreaming ©
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33 Comments
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Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge 
I feel badly for this boat. I wonder if it displays a name on its side or backside…were we able to ascertain that? Maybe we should call it the SS Mercy or deem it some other title to give it some dignity. Hard to believe someone didn’t claim it. A “rescue” boat in need!
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We had hoped to find a break in the fence and read what’s on the stern, but will have to return with appropriate equipment as it is on private property. The storm surge/flood waters were from 10-15 feet deep and the must must have broken loose and floated up in the little gully/low spot off behind it before being held by land. Now it’s really high and dry, but a crane could easily drive up and lift it over to water or transport to a final anchoring place. For a while after the storm, there were big (dry) yards of salvaged boats for sale/auction. We walked quite a fields. Like swans, sailboats deserve some dignity. Thanks for sending an SOS comment
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Methinks I know this boat. That is, I’ve seen it, and know where it is. It is a sad sight, for sure. It’s strange that, after all this time, the city or county or someone hasn’t raised a fuss. Maybe we should plant flowers in it.
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We have several row boats used as planters on a variety of roundabouts here in the UK, but nothing with masts attached. Ours is a narrow boat, so no masts but we see quite a few sad and neglected boats rusting/rotting out on our travels, which to us is quite sad.
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Nothing looks more depressed than a neglected boat. This area is the third largest collection of marinas and boats in the US. Sad so many of them sit alone in their slips despite the mild weather almost year round. Boats need to be out and on the water. They really do come alive. Hope this one finds her destiny soon. Thanks for cruising by
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I was hoping you knew the name and story behind this one. Someone does. As it is behind that fence with all the boat trailers, does it now belong to West Marine or Endeavor Marine? Maybe Sam’s Boat people know something – they certainly had a crowd yesterday afternoon.(Dogs allowed on the patio there? Molly is ready to party)
Flowers are OK in rowboats, but one this size – would make it even sadder. Must float out some inquiries on the other side of the lake. Thanks for docking a comment
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I’m glad my mom is far away, she would adopt the poor boat immediately… such things touch her heart… boats are made to ride the waves while listening to dad’s rival Rod’s Sailing… to see them stranded is sad…
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Galveston finally got all their out of the weedy fields. After the storm boats were out of place and wandering like lost cats and dogs. There actually was one around the lake that we called the Phantom Sailboat as it drifted from here to there for about a year. It got stuck under a bridge and someone finally pulled it out. This one is totally neglected and looks desperately sad. Everything deserved a home, right, Easy? Thanks for moaning along
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I’m fascinated by these photos. Sad, yes– but I never see a sailboat anywhere around me so it all looks make-believe to me. Aren’t there some ordinances that forbid leaving a boat to rot like this? Certainly there are financial consequences that serve as motivation for someone to tidy things up. Or the threat of jail time? Do tell.
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After Ike most of the out of place/damaged boats were gathered and moved to salvage yards and sold/actioned off. It took a couple of years, but even Galveston managed to get them cleared out of fields. This on is behind a tall chain link fence on private property – along with some boat store’s small boat trailers. I suspect the owners were paid by the insurance company, so they don’t care. The insurance companies tend to wash their hands of boats once claims are settle. (We had a boat stolen, and actually found it on a lake in Central TX. Called the insurance company and told them where it was and who had it. They didn’t care. So we called police who did go out and the guy said “Oh, I didn’t know it was stolen and bough it cheap”…but couldn’t explain how come he was caught in the middle of filing off hull/registration numbers. No charges. Boat was finally impounded and auctioned off.) Maybe the land owners put a salvage claim on it since it was on their land, but then decided it was too much work to fix and move. Anyway, someone ought to do something with that boat. It appears to be holding up surprisingly well. But simply too sad to let it go on this way. Thanks for sailing in with a comment
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Interesting. I know next to nothing about boating. We have similar scenarios re: abandoned cars which can be seen deteriorating in fields or forests or behind garages. Just sad and forgotten objects now.
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Too many are comfortable with disposable society – just walk away and get new. (With little thought that it is better for the environment and more “green” to use what already exists rather than dig up and make materials for a brand new object and discard the old one)
Just have to think of all those abandoned items as future archeological puzzles?
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Can’t believe it has been sitting there this long…such a sad site….thanks for sharing!!
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Needs a compassionate Sea witch or reasonable person with a crane/lift could substitute. Boats were not meant to graze. Thanks for floating a comment over this way
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It is sad to see any boat left like this but with the mast still there it seems even worse. I hate litter in any form. As you replied to someone, sailboats deserve some dignity!
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The rigging and all. Can’t help but think if this one had been immediately moved to yard cradle for assessment, maybe it would have been in happier shape today. Thanks for boarding this post
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I can’t imagine just abandoning a boat like that. You would think after a period of time, it would be made available for rescue or salvage.
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The land owner may have grabbed claim to it, then decided it was too much trouble and to move on.It is a fish out of water and needs some sort of resolution. Although some critters may be calling it home by now and that would be OK. Thanks for swimming by with a comment
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“The idyllic life rocking at anchor in the middle of a lake on a Springlike day.”
Your talent and beautiful imagery are a gift, my friend.
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A weekend tease as we are all back to a long spell of grey and chills now. Batten down the hatches up there – it’s coming your way! Thanks for rowing over to chat
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Anytime1
The water’s always lovely!
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A little drama even without comparable falls. 🙂
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All vessels deserve some dinghy-ty!
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No more grog for you! (Great comment – thanks for staying ship shape)
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I think it is sad too, Philmouse, but now I am asking myself, if I would be capable to be a sailor… cat, then the boat found itself a new Captain and gets back his dignity 😀 Ahoy-Pawkisses 🙂 ❤
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No one could ask for a better boat captain, Little Binky. Your dream reminds me of that poem “The Owl and the Pussy Cat” who went to sea in the pea green boat and danced by the light of the moon. Thanks for floating a comment this way
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How very sad. Funny, abandoned cars can look sad but not like a boat out of water, especially large ones. It’s almost obscene to see their “parts,” usually hidden as they bob above the water, so brutally exposed.
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You are right – it’s different with boats. I guess because normally the bob in the water like horses ready to go. Cars sit there as if asleep even if old and abandoned.Thanks for the astute observation
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I do hope it’s not named “Minnow”…. I suppose there’s nothing anyone can do about it if local ordinances allow it to stay like that on personal property.
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Oh, that’s perfect. It’s got to be named that. Knowing the boat’s true name will now make me chuckle a bit when passing it. Thanks for the great sailing comment
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Sad, sad, sad. (((((((squared-away hugs))))))) for the boat.
Just…sad.
😦
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THe property is now for sale. Hopefully a new owner sill sail in and offer a kindness to that poor boat. It seems to appreciate people noticing and sending soothing thoughts. Thanks for docking a comment here
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Lovely photos, but a sad story…
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