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Superstition By and large sailors are a superstitious lot. I can remember on my first ever sail the skipper whistled for wind when we were becalmed and a wind came. But the same man later chided me for whistling at the helm. "It's bad luck unless you're whistling for wind when there is none." He explained. Well, I do not consider myself to be superstitious and I am sure the wind had picked up for reasons of it's own but, on another trip I found myself becoming intensely annoyed by a whistling crew-mate. Something I would not have given a second thought had it not been for that skipper. I have come to know many sailors who, although they may not admit to being superstitious, have a degree of respect for old sayings and customs. The sea can be a very dangerous place and even the most sceptical sailor will accept all the help and luck that is available. The sailing world is so riddled with superstition that I am sure if you believed it all you would never leave your armchair let alone a nice, safe mooring. A black cat is a lucky companion but a preacher is not. A boat name ending with an "a" is unlucky but don't change it because that is worse. And if I ever meet a cross-eyed, red-headed preacher on my way to the harbour I think I'll pack in sailing altogether! Send us your sailing superstitions. Click Here |
| Comment from Annon. |
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It is said to be bad luck to begin a voyage on a Friday. I'm pretty sure Robin Knox-Johnson set off on a Friday when he became the first single handed sailor to circumnavigate the globe non-stop.
I could be wrong .... |
| Comment from Annon. |
| I want to ask about the superstition of babies born with a vail over their faces. Supposedly European sailors would pay big money for the vail. It would help sailors navigate the world. Thanks Can any one out there tell me any thing about this old tale? |
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