The Sailing Trip Becalmed

Selin and Jack rent a small sailboat every summer for one weekend, just the two of them. They sail out along the coast and back before the marina closes on Sunday evening. This year, they plan a slightly longer route than usual, out to a small island and back.

Selin dan Jack menyewa perahu layar kecil setiap musim panas selama satu akhir pekan, hanya mereka berdua. Mereka berlayar menyusuri pantai dan kembali sebelum marina tutup pada Minggu sore. Tahun ini, mereka merencanakan rute yang sedikit lebih panjang dari biasanya, menuju sebuah pulau kecil dan kembali.

By early afternoon, they have reached the island and eaten lunch on deck. They turn back toward the marina with plenty of time to spare. Then, gradually, the wind disappears completely. The sail hangs limp, and the boat barely moves at all, rocking gently on flat, glassy water.

Pada siang menjelang sore, mereka sudah tiba di pulau itu dan makan siang di atas dek. Mereka berbalik menuju marina dengan banyak waktu tersisa. Lalu, perlahan, angin lenyap sama sekali. Layar menggantung lemas, dan perahu nyaris tak bergerak, terayun pelan di atas air yang rata dan berkilau seperti kaca.

"We're not exactly in a hurry," Jack says, checking his watch, "but the marina closes at six. They charge extra if we're late returning the boat."

"Kita memang tidak sedang terburu-buru," kata Jack sambil melihat jam tangannya, "tapi marina tutup pukul enam. Mereka mengenakan biaya tambahan kalau kita terlambat mengembalikan perahu."

Selin checks the small motor bolted to the back of the boat. They have never actually needed it before today. There's fuel in the tank, but not much. It is barely enough for half the remaining distance if they run it the whole way.

Selin memeriksa motor kecil yang dipasang di belakang perahu. Sebelum hari ini, mereka belum pernah benar-benar memerlukannya. Ada bahan bakar di tangki, tetapi tidak banyak. Hanya cukup untuk separuh jarak yang tersisa kalau motornya dinyalakan sepanjang jalan.

They could wait for wind, which might return within the hour. They could start the motor now and hope the fuel lasts. Or they could radio the marina and warn them they might be late. Selin suggests a compromise. They should run the motor at its lowest, most fuel-efficient speed, and keep watching the water for wind.

Mereka bisa menunggu angin, yang mungkin kembali dalam satu jam. Mereka bisa menyalakan motor sekarang dan berharap bahan bakarnya cukup. Atau mereka bisa menghubungi marina lewat radio dan memberi tahu bahwa mereka mungkin terlambat. Selin mengusulkan jalan tengah. Mereka sebaiknya menjalankan motor pada kecepatan terendah yang paling hemat bahan bakar, sambil terus mengawasi air untuk mencari angin.

The plan works better than either of them expected. Twenty minutes later, a light breeze picks up from the east, just enough to fill the sail again. Selin cuts the motor immediately. They glide the rest of the way under sail power alone, saving the last of their fuel completely.

Rencana itu berjalan lebih baik daripada dugaan keduanya. Dua puluh menit kemudian, angin sepoi-sepoi bertiup dari timur, cukup untuk mengisi layar lagi. Selin langsung mematikan motor. Mereka meluncur sepanjang sisa perjalanan hanya dengan tenaga layar, menyimpan sisa bahan bakar sepenuhnya.

They tie up at the marina at 5:52, eight minutes to spare. Both of them laugh at how close it had actually been. "Next year," Jack says, "we're checking the fuel gauge before we leave the dock." Selin agrees, though she suspects they will probably forget again.

Mereka menambatkan perahu di marina pukul 5.52, delapan menit lebih awal. Keduanya tertawa melihat betapa tipis selisihnya. "Tahun depan," kata Jack, "kita periksa indikator bahan bakar sebelum meninggalkan dermaga." Selin setuju, meski ia curiga mereka mungkin akan lupa lagi.