A Faded Rig
by Arlyn Stewart
While traveling from Texas to the Great Lakes for a summer cruise, I pulled into a rest stop in Arkansas to take a short break. Off by itself, in the fairly empty parking area, was a large old sailboat standing high on its trailer. Closer, a man was spotted leaning under the hood of the tired looking old one ton dually.
Easing my rig up beside and parking, I introduced myself while gandering under the hood to identify, if possible, the source of his concern. The gentleman looked to be well into his retirement years and showed no anxiety of being in any dilemma, so we talked a bit about where we were headed. I knew... he didn't. Where, didn't seem to matter to him, he hadn't made any hard decisions... somewhere north away from the heat.
The boat was a 27-28 footer... a good bit larger than my 25 and had a fin keel and inboard. Compared to my water ballast low on the trailer... his towered it seamed near the heavens. The boat, its trailer, and the camper top were all like the truck, faded and tired looking.
After a short bit of gam, I learned that this rig was his home and all was well under the hood, he was just checking. He simply followed the seasons like native Indians had not all that long ago. My first impression began to give way to a perception. Little things began to betray that while his rig was old and tired looking, it was cared for where it mattered. Whilst the paint was dull, the truck had good sturdy well mounted mirrors and the tires on both it and trailer were in good shape. Two heavy straps secured the boat. A ladder up to the boat's cockpit was a cut down version of a very sturdy commercial grade. Two spares tires were lashed well in place on the trailer. It hit me... while the rig was quite old, it was maintained in fit condition and well chosen for its abilities. He wasn't trying to pull this big heavy boat with a medium duty pickup, the dually had a big block 454. Rested and with assurances that he was not in need, I took his leave to press on to keep my schedule.
Thoughts of the old gentleman have come a hundred times. His mannerism and speech portrayed a knowledgeable, peaceful character that was self assured. While he didn't know where he was going.... he knew exactly what he was doing. I wished I'd lingered to talk more, to listen to his story, to learn if he had family, to know why his home was that old rig, to discover what was important to him and why.
I've wondered where his journey took him, if he had problems getting there, how long he stayed, how much he sailed, where he went next and where he is now. I'm even curious if there were grandkids that missed their papaw.
My lasting memory of the gentleman is that while he was old like the boat and truck... he didn't look tired. The lasting effect is that I hope in the future that I don't view an old gentleman with a faded rig and think disrespectfully again because of first impressions based on how new and shiny it all is. No doubt his enjoyment equals or exceeds the pleasure I find with my newer rig.
I am a trailer cruiser and love it, but only for a few weeks a year. This gentleman trailer cruises 24/7 and I was honored to exchange howdys. I hope to meet him on the road again... or better yet, on the water.