While we discussed how to spend our time over the next few days of hiding from the strong winds, the obvious options were stock-up on fresh food, boat maintenance, reading, and watching movies but in no order of priority.
We have a large number of movies available on a portable hard drive, so in my head I started to go through all the ones pertaining to sailing. I mentioned to Christa that a movie frequently shown, either in the background or as the main event at cruisers/sailor parties, is Captain Ron. Christa replied that she had never seen it. Well, that’s just unacceptable, especially since we have it listed on our own Videos Page(!) so we sat down to watch it last night with a huge bowl of popcorn.
For the mainstream, Captain Ron is a train-wreck to below-average 1992 Disney movie depending on which review you read. Yet, somehow it has achieved a cult-status with sailors, and those generally into the sailing scene.
It seems to be on everyone’s list of sailing movies, and if s/v Delos has it as no. 1 one on their list, there has to be something there, right?:
Required movie watching on Delos
YBW Top 10 boat themed films from the 1990s
IMDB Sailing & Seamanship Movies
After watching it last night, we kind of both looked at each other as if to say, “Well, that managed to pass an hour and a half,” which kind of summed up our thoughts on the movie. (Christa enjoyed my home-made popcorn more than the actual movie.) There were some clever moments and a few one-liners (“Diesels love their oil like a sailor loves his rum”), but other than watching Kurt Russell walk around with his shirt open or in a speedo for most of the movie, we’re not sure why it has endured in the sailing community as a favourite. At least now Christa won’t be met with incredulous stares at gatherings for not having seen it.
There are articles out there that ponder the same question, and even point out that the story-line is all based on real events, but in the end, it may just be there is not a great number of sailing choices available, and sometimes you just need to chill for an hour and a half.
Sorry to hear it’s windy. I had noticed you
had not moved. Have not seen Captain
Ron, at least you enjoyed great pop corn.
Lauren was just saying that endure the whole movie just to watch Capt Ron’s parking job. You can go see that almost every evening in Shim Creek Charleston as the shrimp boats come in to dock.
Miss you two and hope to see you in Feb.
Dan and Lauren
That’s my move next time I have to dock in Harbour Towne!
“If it’s going to happen, it’ll happen out there!”
“You gotta watch that ladder boss”
“if we get lost we will just pull in somewhere and ask directions.”