Deep Water - A Sailor's Passage

As I was reading a gay novel "Deep Water - A Sailor's Passage" by E.M. Kahn, I realised that there are many technical sailing terms being employed in this novel. I find that I have a little difficulty understanding on how the two young sailors maneurved their boats by letting down the jibs, mainstay or to shout a command "Ready About". Perhaps the other readers who have no sailing experience may find it tough to understand this novel when they were participating in the races or leisure sail. A lot of times, they would use sailing terms to describe on how their boat would sail in the wind.

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Deep Water: A Sailor's Passage, by E.M. Kahn, is a memoir of sailing adventures with a loved one, now deceased. After a less than hoped for career in journalism, New Yorker Gene Kahn became a successful ships' carpenter. He caught the sailing bug after he and a friend took sailing lessons at City Island (Bronx, NY) during the summer of 1978. Kahn tells his story in a series of logically unfolding remembrances, which eventually form a cohesive story, full of love that leaves the reader wishing for the story to continue...as does the brokenhearted author.

The story, while well written, nonetheless got off to a rather slow start. At first, I didn't know what course the author was taking, no pun intended. I continued to read Deep Water, at first because of its setting, the familiar (to me) navigable waters surrounding Long Island. Before I realized it, I couldn't put the book down. I was totally taken in by the strong bond of love that existed between Gene Kahn and his late lover, Kevin.

Kahn began his story with the start of his sailing adventures, learning the ropes in a 14 foot Blue Jay. Over the course of years, Kahn stepped up to larger boats, while at the same time expanding his sailing explorations of all the harbors in and around Long Island Sound, Block Island Sound, Nantucket Island, as well as vacation trips to the beautiful Caribbean islands. Always by Gene's side, at home, at work, and for all the sailing adventures, was Kevin.

Kevin first rode, literally, into Gene's life looking for employment at his downtown Manhattan carpentry shop. Kevin and his dog, Kasha, had been living in a crime ridden neighborhood some distance from the shop. Preferring not to have to worry about the very real possibility of Kevin getting mugged, or something untoward happening to Kasha, Gene suggested the two move into his not much larger but, better situated apartment. Needless to say, the arrangement worked out.

While Deep Water: A Sailor's Passage, is a story of many exciting sailing adventures, it is far more than just that: It is a deeply felt love story. Deep Water is E. M. Kahn's tribute to Kevin, who at first was his employee and friend, then later became his lover and partner in life. Kevin is sorely missed and his loss is deeply felt.

Kahn's Deep Water: A Sailor's Passage is a solid read, and especially enjoyable if you're fond of sailing adventures.

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So, i decided to look up for my training manual which was given to all crew members regardless of our background in sailing.

Here are the basic structure of the clippers/yachts.