I grew up on the east coast (though some say I haven't actually 'grown up' yet) in a town called Riva just west of Annapolis. One would think that to be the start of my sailing pursuits. It wasn't. In fact, I think for the 10 years I lived there as a kid, I only went out on the water once and that was in an old Christ Craft.

In my high school years, I lived a little while on the gulf coast south of Houston near Galveston Bay. Again, a perfect location to get into sailing, but it didn't happen. As a teenager, I had other things on my mind.

In my early 20s I moved to Florida's east coast to a town called Palm Bay, adjacent to the ICW (Intra Coastal Waterway) and only a few miles from the ocean. A prime spot to learn about sailing, but it wasn't to be.

It wasn't until the mid 90s when I had moved to Minnesota and married that I had the brilliant idea to try sailing. I learned a great deal from the folks at Wayzata Yacht Club. Mostly I learned that I wasn't quite ready to be a useful crewmember on a racing boat. I got in the way on several boats and that was enough for me to decide it was time to get my own boat.

We bought Finntastic - a Catalina Capri 22 - in the winter of 1996. She was a fun teacher and in the winter of 2001, we acquired Soñadora.

Minna - First Mate

Minna grew up (and she is grown up - one of us has to be) in the country of Finland, in the northern part referred to as Lapland. She lived in a town just 50 miles south of the arctic circle on the coast of the Bothnian Sea.

Her family has had a life on the sea for generations and though their main income is no longer from fishing, her father still fishes commercially as a 'hobby'. Minna spent many times out on the sea with her father. In the summer, they would tend nets, motoring out for miles in her father's open skiff. These boats are exceptionally seaworthy, but I would prefer to not be in some of the conditions she's told me about in a little boat.

In winter, the sea freezes dozens of feet thick. They still tended the nets, but this time via snowmobile.

Sailing was never taken seriously in that part of Finland. In the old days before motors, they rowed their skiffs. Sailing was more popular in the south (think Nautor's Swan, Siltala Nauticat just to name two) where the sailing season is a bit longer (though not by much).

She has been in the U.S. for 15 years and sailing for as long as I have. We took lessons together in Lido 14s on Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis.

Emma - Mate

Emma has been sailing since she was 3 years old. Our first boat, Finntastic was nothing more than a playground for her and her sister. Most of the time was spent below decks playing with dolls or napping. With just about 4' of headroom, that was enough standing room for them.

Occassionally, she would come on deck and help with hauling up the sails or trying her skills with the tiller.

As she got older, she spent more time on deck. A favorite thing to do was to sit on the leeward deck and drag her feet as we heeled hard over. She also enjoyed our many times anchored for a swim as well as our usual overnight anchoring.

When Soñadora appeared, she continued her excitement of dangling in the water when we heeled, though it's more of a challenge to heel over far enough in Soñadora. When she turned 8, she started to become more fearful of being on deck. I'm not sure what prompted it, but for that season she spent most of her time down below. When she turned 9, she slowly came out of it and by the end of sailing season she was back to being comfortable on deck.

In fact, during one particularly blustery day, she stayed on deck holding down the headsails to ensure they would not fall overboard. For that, she received the ship's bell as reward.

At 9, she also took her first Optimist lessons at Lake Calhoun Sailing and this went a long way toward improving her confidence. She is excited to be back on the water this coming summer.

Sonja - Mate

Sonja has been sailing since she was about 1 1/2 years old. She has always been enthusiastic aboard. Aboard Finntastic she spent a great deal of her time below, but also joined us in the cockpit often. She was never afraid of being on deck, no matter the conditions and enjoys trying her hand at the helm.

She is always willing to help with anything aboard. She learned quickly how to tie a bowline and assists with setting up for the day's sail by helping to run the sheets. She also helps us prepare to make way by stowing all of Soñadora's various covers. Her most brave act came when I dropped a screwdriver into the bilge. While I held on to her ankles, she climbed down and retrieved it, coming up with a huge smile on her face. Her reward was the ship's brass horn.

One of her favorite posts on deck is far up on the bowsprit, dangling over the waves. If allowed to, she will sit there for the entire cruise. Along with her sister, she also loves getting dragged through the water on a good heel.

At 8, she took sailing classes with her sister at Lake Calhoun Sailing. Unlike her sister, she is extremely competitive and I can see her being a 'nuisance' to others who are simply out there to keep from sinking.

Celia - Swab

Celia has been sailing her entire life, all 1+ years of it to date. It will be interesting to see how she takes to it in her coming years. So far, she has enjoyed spending most of her time in the proteced confines of the v-berth or on calm sails, spending time in Soñador's snug cockpit.

She is fascinated with all the sailing doo-hickies with running rigging being her favorite. Hopefully this season, she won't try to eat it.