Anthology of Sailing - Story 3: Sailing with a Beautiful Model
I was going to merge my two favorite things, sailing and photography by splurging a little and hire a model for the day. I had seen Kristy's bio in one of the modeling websites and she listed as a special skill, sailing.
I don't typically hire models unless there is a customer that wants something specific photographed with a model and I typically pass the costs of the model back to the customer. This was different however, I didn't have a customer that wanted photos but thought it might be fun to spend the day sailing and taking pictures on my boat.
I bought the boat, a new 54 foot sailboat, two years ago and have taken plenty of photos of it. However, I have not had a beautiful model on it and taken photos. There is something about a beautiful girl and a boat that seems to bring out the beauty of the boat, water and surrounding area. I was hoping it would be a nice day for sailing and I was looking forward to meeting Kristy.
I have always sailed the boat by myself, except when I have guests on for the day or perhaps a couple of days. Most sailboats require a couple of people to sail but the boat I purchased was specifically designed to be sailed single handed. With the electric winches and all the sheets right there at the helm station, it is simple to handle all by myself. Docking is sometimes tricky but the guy in the next slip to mine is real good about giving me a hand whenever he sees me pull in. A little planning in other areas and I manage pretty well most of the time.
I sent Kristy an e-mail and she called me back with some questions. She seemed really nervous about the job and I guess I don't blame her. Models can be easy prey for a crazy person that wants to take advantage of a pretty girl in a remote and secluded location. She seemed very uneasy about getting on a sailboat with me alone. She asked me for someone she could call and get a reference and was looking for someone she might already know.
The first person I named was Tom Franklin and she immediately said she knew him and had done a couple of shoots with him. She said she would call me back to set up a time.
I had known Tom for a really long time. He is a bit of a practical joker but we are really good friends. About two hours after talking to Kristy, Tom called.
"Hey, asshole. Someone by the name of Kristy called me and wanted a reference on you," Tom said.
"Ya. I'm trying to get her on my boat to take some pictures but she seemed nervous about the job," I replied.
"Well, I can't say I blame her. You already sound like a pervert over the phone. I told her you would probably rub up against her a lot but only expose yourself once or twice," he said with a sincere voice. "But then I told her that your junk is so small that she probably wouldn't even notice."
"Well, I can always rely on my friends to have my back when I need it," I said incredulously.
"I'm there for you dude. Hey, you are going to enjoy working with Kristy. She is a doll. One of the best models I have ever worked with. You have a customer that wants this or are you doing this for fun or you finally going to pay some girl just to get on your boat with you?" he asked, clearly enjoying this.
"Just going to take pictures of the boat for my portfolio," I said, trying to answer the question and then realizing he didn't really want an answer.
Just then my phone buzzed. "Hey, gotta run. Thanks for the reference - I think. Bye."
"All day with just Kristy and your sailboat. Lucky fucker. Bye," Tom said.
I pushed the talk button on my phone. "Hello this is Jim," I said.
"Hi Jim. This is Kristy Kowalski, the model you contacted about working on your sailboat."
"Hi Kristy. How are you?" I asked.
"Just fine. Look, I contacted Tom Franklin and if the job is still available I'm definitely interested." I could hear for the first time some excitement in her voice.
"So Kristy, I have to ask this. How much sailing experience do you have? There will just be the two of us. I might need you at the helm while I'm setting up and getting things ready. I realize that is not standard modeling duties but hope you wouldn't mind, if you have the expertise," I inquired.
"Mind? I would love it! I've been sailing since I was 5 when my father put me in a little Sun Fish sailboat. My family has a 22 foot Catalina which I sail all the time. This is an opportunity to merge my two favorite things sailing and modeling," she said, clearly excited about the planned activities.
"Wow, that is great. I think this is going to work out wonderfully. My boat is a little bigger than the Catalina but except for some fancy equipment, the principles are all the same," I said. Now understanding what a great fit this could be and it could be a good day of sailing and photography.
We agreed on a date next Tuesday and agreed on a price for Kristy's time. She recommended some things that she could bring and wear and then asked about makeup.
"None, nope, no makeup. The only thing I want you to wear is sunscreen. Just sunscreen," I said and the phone went silent. I suddenly realized what I had said and corrected myself. "With your clothes. Sunscreen with your clothes."
"Oh, of course. Sunscreen with my clothes," Kristy acknowledged.
We both hung up our phones looking forward to next Tuesday.
Tuesday morning arrived and I took the opportunity to tidy the boat and make it perfect for the days photo activity. At precisely 9:00 Kristy came walking up the dock to the boat. I'm not sure who took her pictures in her portfolio but they did not do her justice. She is beautiful in her pictures but in person, wow. I was stunned by her beauty.
I introduced myself and grabbed her bag and then offered a hand to help her on the boat. She took it but didn't really need it as she hopped onboard, well accustom to getting on a sailboat. I handed her a model release form, she scanned it, signed it and then looked around the boat.
"Oh wow! You have electric winches and a furling main sail and everything is running back here to the helm so you can single hand the boat!" She was like a kid in a toy store for the first time. Examining all the wonders and cool things that were on the boat. She turned and faced me.
"It is the prettiest thing I have ever seen." she said
"Kristy, you are shaking." I commented a little surprised.
"Sorry. I've seen a lot of boats and there is something special about one that is perfect - she's amazing. Can I touch her?" She asked excitedly reaching for the wheel.
"Yes, of course. In a little while I'll have you at the helm. However, first we are going to have a safety briefing and then I'll show you around the boat. After that we can talk about the shooting plan while heading out of the harbor. Okay?" I asked.
"Sounds good," she smiled at me.
I put her bag down below and while down there she asked me to grab her phone. When I returned I handed her the phone and she put it in the nearest cup holder.
"The first point of safety is to not get fingers, hands or arms between the boat and a firm object. You can not fend off this boat like you can a 22 foot Catalina. The only way to stop the boat is with the engines or a line and a cleat," I said.
