Here is the continuing story of sailor Marlene Sassaman. The first part of her tale can be found here.

Marlene bought A John Marples designed 35 foot trimaran a couple years ago from Jim Brown’s friend, Jo Hudson. She has been single-hand sailing on this cruising trimaran in the Bahamas. Here, she talks a little about her personal history and sailing background with regards to multihulls

For those of you who’ve read Part One, here is Part Two …

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Declaring a major life change was typical of the many whimsical decisions I have made. My stint as a Ma Bell Telephone Operator was a fair representation of what would become Lily Tomlin’s classic portrayal on Saturday Night Live.

The midnight shift allowed for transgressions such as calling family and friends. On one occasion, while my supervisor was on her break, I called my older brother, Harry. He had just returned from his dutiful tour in Vietnam and was attending the Maryland School of Fine Arts in Baltimore.

At his invite I drove home as soon as the relief operator took my seat at the switchboard. Wasting no time to start a new life I threw two pairs of bell bottom jeans into the trunk of my 63 Chevy Impala and headed south. Without further adieu I bid a silent good-by to Iselin, New Jersey. Light packing in the car’s spacious interior left plenty of room for two hitchhikers picked up along the way.

After two years of the hippy lifestyle on St. Paul Street in downtown Baltimore, my career as a pharmaceutical researcher with Johns Hopskins Hospital ended. Trading my $800 severance pay for a 250 Yamaha street bike seemed like the thing for a single gal to do.

To pass the licensing test the driver was required to successfully complete a 360 degree turn without one’s foot touching the ground. On the third try I finally had the proper credential in hand.

At 21 with no clear vision and no road map, years before the advent of GPS, I buzzed the backroads. It was disappointing to discover that New Orleans was not as picturesque and safe as documented in the National Geographic Magazine I once read. Is it any surprise, then, that I accepted an invite to drive the Alcan Highway?

From Pt. Barrow, Alaska to a more temperature climate another corner on the road of life was turned. It was on a bright sunny August day when a marquee was spotted. Classes, it proclaimed, at the Daytona Beach Junior College were starting in a week. An abrupt U-turn was made and by the day’s end my college antics began.

Seven years later I earned tenure as a middle school science teacher. Enough money was saved to buy a used sunfish. When the salesman showed me a picture of a guy and a gal jazzing it up on the trapeze of a Hobie 18, I scrounged up a few extra dollars, traded in an old motorboat, put a hitch on my VW Super Beetle and towed it home.

Some five years later during the Brevard Challenge, an annual event in Melbourne, Florida, my friend, Karen Minette and I were doubled trapped on the eighteen. Heading for the finish line we were stupefied when an F27 trimaran reached across our bows while their crew sat high and dry.

The ability to pay for a similar trailerable tri took another decade. With the purchase of an F28 aft cockpit innumerable memories came along. Cruising alone or with crew, teaching newbies and racing with with an all girl’s team kept my calendar full.

The Sassy Sailors, as we became known, astonished our comrades with our fortitude. We were the only ones who withstood the 40 degree temperatures during the annual East Coast Sailing Association’s overnight camp-out cruise.

Robin Blankenship, Maryanne Schauman, Sassy, Monica Ebert, and Lauren Rosul
2010 East Coast Sailing Association’s Frostbite Cruise, Ballard Park, Florida

On lazy days between races and week-end cruising, empowering women to take the helm became my avocation. Teaching my manicurist, Maryann Schaumann the difference between a tack and a jibe while advancing her skills to be first mate on our gulf stream crossing to Bermuda remains a feather in both our caps. (More on that story in a future chapter about my Marples 35).

Maryanne Scahauman at the helm of Sassaman’s F28

On New Year’s Day, 2008, the Sassy Sailors unanimously agreed we were no longer satisfied racing the tri against monohulls on windward – leeward courses that used the traditional a handicap system. We further vowed to take on the challenge of the 45 mile Miami-Key Largo Race.

Thanks to pro sailing friend, Mike McGarry and F24 Captain Pepe Romano, the gymnastics that accompany trailering an F28 over 200 miles made our participation viable. From the moment we sailed out of the harbor my team approached the start line with an unprecendeted enthusiasm. First, the girls were enthralled with Miami’s beautiful landscape.

Monica Ebert, Lauren Rosul, and Maryanne Schaumann on deck before Miami skyline

Then, despite a less than desirable start, positions were taken and eyes focused on the course ahead.

Lauren Rosul and Maryanne Schaumm crewing for Captain Sass in 2008 Miami – Key Largo Race
Photo by Monica Ebert

Lastly, our pride was second to none as Monica proudly displayed our entry number when we crossed the finish line.

Monica Ebert at Finish Line of 2008 Miami Key Largo Race

Selecting photos to complement this chapter of a gratifying lifestyle brought to light the smiles on the faces of every gal photographed. It was no surprise that on the day this iconic tri was sold tears welled in our eyes. Thanks, though to Mike McGarry, the sadness lasted but a minute or two. “Not to worry,” Mike whispered. “I found you a 35 foot tri with an inboard diesel!”

And, that my friends, will bring forth the next chapter entitled, My Marples 35!