Authentic Experience – Jay Fitzgerald
I first came across Jay via his book Sailing with Purpose: The Pursuit of the Dreamas the title suggests his philosophy has always been that our activity on this planet should have a purpose, that we should contribute, and that our experiences should be authentic.
I have seen Jay described as ‘an opinionated SOB’ and I doubt he’d contest such a label and with all such characters you can guarantee that their views will always provoke discussion! One of Jays early crusades was that of engineless sailing and his foundation of the ‘Oar Club’. This is actually a topic I have been interested in for quite a while and I still haven’t decided if ‘Gleda’ will be engineless or not, but I’m saving that for another day.
Today I wanted to highlight an interesting talk that Jay gave recently gave to a Tedx audience in Hilo, Hawaii.
Jay now lives in Hawaii on a farmstead hacked out of the jungle and posts occasional articles about responsible living, and sustainability on his blog Sensible Simplicity.
One of Jays other crusades has been centered around something called ‘sea-steading’ which was the subject of another book Sea-steading: A Life of Hope and Freedom on the Last Viable Frontier and when he moved to Hawaii it seemed that his intention was to stay land-locked only as long as it took to build his new boat which may well have been a Wharram Pahi 63. It seems he’s changed his mind and he explains why in his talk. He goes further and suggests that we should all take responsibility and demonstrate by example that sustainable living in the way he lives himself is the only way that our children will have a planet left to enjoy.
I admire his strength and call to action but equally I believe my own plans will enable me to live authentically, to contribute and to show that there’s a better way to live.
Here’s his video, I’d love to hear what you think.
Really refreshing. These authentic people are seldom suave and boring. I have been asking myself many of the same questions. Jay has something important to say and says it very well.
jay.
me n you met when i had my trawler. before i got hooked on sailing.
i bought that scow of a boat buccaneer 24. then a capital yachts 32 then a capital yachts newport 27 or so.
today i bought a westsail 32 in longbech.
want to sail to meetup with you and hsake your hand for all the accomplishments youv’e achieved.
i did try to stay in touch with you but to no avail.
what island are you on?
boat has been sitting 7months.
motor won’t turn over.
but $4k for westsail.
she has main and two headsails..forward one is roller furler.
so i show up tomorrow and setup a deal tihe marina mechanic..GET IT RUNNING> $300.00l.
empty holding, gas/ tanks.
this beihg said…id like to chek out your cabin..ive been folloing you. ive always lookied upo to you as someong that is ‘beyond his years’ wich knowlege.
what island are you on and what anchorge of the LEE do you suggest?
im meeting owner tomorrow and getting her her money.
then im doing wht you hate..im having diesel started….SORRY>
promise you though een if hwere in 3 knot winds i will NOT run notor.
skr.
ps hows perry? is he in micronisia or teaching collete stuff? thx ahead of time im glad you iae you as a friend and we WILL meetup and see where our lives have taken us.
JAY (i dont wanna use jerom) because youv ealways introeuced yourself Jay. im norwegian. my nabme is STE’ fan..but i dont do it that way. thx jay can wait to have a nice lunch in a lunch rainsforest