Four years in the US Navy and I had to look up “top-gallants”. LOL.
I’m also gonna bet there’s a 50hp outboard hidden in the hold...just in case.
If so, I think Odysseus would be highly approving! "A practical man was he!"
All those who go down to the sea learn that the sea is a real revolving b**** (rhymes with witch) and safety is not to be ignored at any time! Did a cruise liner trip several years back and was shocked at how some passengers had to be chased down to take part in the lifeboat drill! Later in the trip across the North Atlantic, we hit a squall and I had my small balcony well decorated with flotsam, including plastic debris.
Thank you for your service in the USN.
Now if you had done any time on the USS Eagle (Coast Guard Bark) or USS Constitution (Frigate), you would have been more likely to recognize that 'Top-gallant' designation. Sailing is a great experience to learn the sea and its quirks. I presume it is one (of many) reasons that Annapolis drills its Middies on small sail boats, to give that touch of life, even in those sheltered waters of the Chesapeake estuary.