Orisha Crew 1/4 - Chris Boscole "The Bos"

July 3 0450(Z)/July 2 1850(L): 3553N/15858W, tracking 050 on the rhumb line towards Seattle. For the lat/long challenged that is about 1800NM West of Monterey. We have had a significant change in wind direction which has allowed us to take a more direct heading towards Seattle and will allow us to take advantage of weather conditions ahead. On this course, it is about 1800NM to our destination. We have come a little over 800 since leaving Kauai.

Since I am making this voyage with three others, it is appropriate that I introduce you to each of them as part of my blog, Without them, I would not be here. So for starters, let me introduce you to the captain of Orisha, Chris Boscole.
Two years ago Chris made his first Pacific crossing voyage to Hawaii with a crew of five. A lifetime of sailing experience on Hobie cats, a 43 ft Beneteau and most recently Orisha, a 65ft Macgregor prepared him well for the voyage. But it takes a crew to sail the Pacific and one of the lessons learned on that voyage was the importance of a crew that worked well together. Personality clashes at times hampered the experience for all. So for this voyage, while sailing experience was important, personalities trumped all.
Memories of my cousin Chris are predominantly of our childhood. We have had little interaction as adults. While this trip has brought back memories of our family Christmas' together and times on the ski slopes, we have come to know each other as adults and barely scratched the surface of catching up on the past 35 years. Chris has been divorced for over 10 years and has three children. The youngest, Michelle, graduated from high school this year. Music runs throughout his family so it is no surprise that he completed a Master of Music in jazz piano performance at the University of Miami. He is a superb professional pianist who relishes the opportunity to play his own music in the neoclassical, new age jazz genres. Recently he performed a concert at the University of Washington comprised of original solo piano music combined with a slide show of his sailing adventures.
For the past two years Chris has been on sabbatical with the Seattle school district where he teaches music. He will return to teaching this Fall. In that time he has been gunkholing amongst the Islands, playing a few piano gigs, and spending most of the time practicing on his concert grand piano, composing new music, producing a new solo piano album, and promoting his music worldwide. Check out his website at http://www.christopherboscole.com
Last year Chris and his sister Robbi survived the deaths of their father Robert (Bob) and brother Jeff. While Robbi was left locally to deal with the estate responsibilities Chris has felt the need to help with putting the final Boscole affairs in order. When we reach the end of our voyage, he will take up residence in the small guest house on the vacant Boscole acres homestead in Bellevue and become caretaker until all is settled. "It still feels like home after all these years," says Chris.
As for captain Chris? Nothing but first rate. He is an excellent ship captain aka "The Bos." I especially appreciate his ability to prioritize, his patience with the crew, and his mentoring. His passion for sailing is unwavering and contagious, even when he feels seasick. After nearly a week at sea, I think it is safe to say that Chris succeeded in putting together a terrific crew of complementary personalities and cross cutting experiences. As a result, he is enjoying this voyage even more than the first. As he says, "It's all about who you are with and the weather." We are all blessed by his wise crew choices and so far blessed with good weather and smooth sailing.
As we were trying to keep up with the good weather window we only spent one day in beautiful Hanalei bay on Kauai. Chris vows to someday return again to enjoy that idyllic anchorage longer, perhaps on the way to/from a South Pacific voyage. Watch Craig's list for crewing opportunities!