I know lots of single women who own and maintain their own boats. The Divine Esther is a frequent subject of my column. Her boat Meri Mate is probably the most Bristol Yacht in our marina. This past summer, she saved herself $12,000 by removing the teak decks from the flying bridge on her CHB trawler and then filling every screw hole with epoxy, then surfacing and painting the deck with non skid. If that doesn't impress, keep in mind that the Divine Esther not only has legs that look better than Madonna's, but, without giving away her age (she would KILL me!) she is also an official senior citizen.
Then there is the Intrepid Ina who recently got her captains license and is currently delivering new, and used, Sea Ray yachts up and down the west coast.
These two women are my personal friends who are active in boating and love the boating lifestyle. There are many more I could mention, but I want to focus on one.
Probably the most accomplished yachtswoman I know is Ms. Mary Buckman. Mary's Cheoy Lee Clipper ketch, Shantung, has won the coveted Bay View Boat Club's Prettiest Boat Award. With wooden masts, teak decks and house and more teak than any woman should ever have to maintain, Shantung is easy to spot on the water. Just look for the boat that sparkles. Mary is blonde, tiny and very feminine in her manner and always has a perfect pedicure which is evident because she prefers to go barefoot.
Mary has been Commodore for the Farallon Patrol, a group of volunteer boaters who deliver scientists and supplies to the bird sanctuary on the Farallon Islands just west of the Golden Gate Bridge. She is also the very best Fleet Captain the Bay View Boat Club has ever known, organizing excellent cruises for the Popeye fleet of boaters that comprise the Bay View club. Her cruising directions always included a Google Earth map so that every boater can find the narrow channels and anchorages, but also be directed to their designated slip. On a cruise to Loch Lomand Yacht Club last January, Mary organized a heavenly breakfast on the dock, complete with three make-your-own-omelet stations set up on ironing boards she purchased at the Good Will store. The fact that it was snowing that day didn't stop Mary – oh no. We bundled up and drank gallons steaming hot coffee she had prepared in her tiny galley.
Organization should be Mary Buckman's middle name. If you need it, she has it. Last weekend I wanted to do a little varnishing to spruce up the head on our 30 year old trawler. I have never varnished anything in my life and to tell the truth, I didn't know where to start. Bless Mary B. She had a tiny varnish kit all set up and ready to go. It composed of a plastic cup in which she had mixed Crystal varnish with the expensive thinner they recommend and a foam brush held above the pre-mixed varnish with a clip. The handle of the brush was supported by one of those clear plastic lids that you get at the movie theatre when you order a slushy ice drink. The brush was hanging from the center hole of the lid and clipped in place above the varnish below with a small plastic clothes pin. The whole set up was ingenious and very simple. Whenever Mary has any touch up to do, she simply grabs her varnish kit. No wonder Shantung looks so good all the time.
We have known Mary for over 25 years, and she has always been as generous as she is adventurous. Some of our most memorable boating trips have been in her company; for example, riding along on a Farallon Patrol cruise and being allowed to tour the island with a naturalist. Or, a late October cruise to Point Reyes, where the stars were so close you could reach out and touch them; or the Delta trip where she brought along her musician friend Bob "˜the Duck' Hodson, who played Gershwin tunes on his clarinet at happy hour while Mary poured round after round of heavenly Manhattans.
We feel very lucky to have these women as neighbors, and Ms. Buckman in particular. The next time someone mentions the "weaker" sex, think of her single handing her boat across the bay in a storm. Here's to you, Mary B!
