Those of you who come here often will remember that, back in February, I put our most beautiful family member up for sale. After a few months of showing her off to “keel kickers,” I’m happy to report that Matsya will start her 88th season on western Long Island Sound.
Writing up the listing, I privately compared the process to selling a child. Now that she’s found a good home, it feels more like sending a favorite kid off to college: definitely leaving behind an empty nest, but also the best thing for her. Though she’s in better shape than when I found her, as a wooden-boat-savvy friend put it, “You did well by the boat — now it’s someone else’s job.”
As I was digging through a folder of paperwork to see what needed to be passed on to that someone else, I found a vague note about her history. Hiding behind an obscure list of must-dos (designed to ensure a curse-free name change) was a forgotten family tree of previous owners. I can now add my name at number five on that list, which makes my stewardship (2007-2025) about average.
Matsya helped inspire my first (published) novel, so she won’t be forgotten. As I said in 2009, “there is no bad mood or stressful work day that can’t be cured by a leisurely sail up or down West Passage.” I will surely miss The Joy of Day Sailing (and occasional afternoon naps) that she provided, but now she deserves to share her unique combination of grace, perspective, and joy with a fresh harbor and owner. Like any parent, I was just a caretaker for 18 years, helping to ensure a life both long and leak-free.
Sail on, fair Matsya. And if you have a chance, let this empty-nester know what you choose for a major. Dare I suggest Nautical History?
The old lady has served us well. Happy to see the new owner excited. And that he gets it when it comes to a wood boat. Great group of pictures with so many amazing memories.
Thanks Paul. So many wonderful sails with you (and others) in my memory banks.
Congratulations and condolences. I’m sure you’ll miss her, but not the effort of owning a wooden boat. She was lucky to have such attentive and appreciative owners all these years.
Alice, thanks for the congrats and condolences, a perfect contradictory combination!
Carol, your photos here are so evocative! My fave has to be the one showing just the leg of someone diving from Matsya. That’s a magazine-quality snap.
Btw…how might we pronounce her name, please?
Thanks Larry! And the pronunciation is “MAhT-C-ya.” Sanskrit for Lord of the Fishes. Thanks for asking.
Glad to hear a beautiful wooden boat has found a new home in Long Island. Beautiful name. Great pictures and an auspicious new life with new sailing with new owners and wonderful on water experiences.
Thanks Larry B!