You know the situation is serious when both the group leader and the yacht’s experienced captain wear troubled expressions. No need to know the details, it’s enough to know there is trouble. We left our idyllic little cove early to reach the free marina in Hvar.

Storm clouds hovered as we pulled into the full-looking marina. We had been assured that there would be space in the morning as boats headed for other ports. What we hadn’t considered was the storm. No one was leaving. No one wanted to be out on the sea in the storm. The harbor master came out in his small boat, shaking his head. No room. So sorry. Storm’s coming, just to state the obvious.

That’s when the facial expressions changed. What about St. Clements? Shake of the harbor master’s head again. Nope, the boat’s too big for that harbor. Alternatives? Ride out the storm or make a try for big boat, small marina. The skipper placed a call to St. Clements, discovered there was a free slot and went for it. Perhaps he told them the size of the boat, perhaps he just hoped they wouldn’t notice. Four to six feet on a sailboat can make a big difference. As we maneuvered into the marina, all activity stopped as Fleet Week revelers gathered to watch.

It was a tight turn and there was some skepticism about that extra length. The good skipper prevailed and we were set before the storm hit. As for the storm, it was short, wet but no roaring, wave-creating winds, nothing spectacular. In hindsight, we would have been all right at sea, but we wouldn’t have the no-room-in-the-inn/man, that-boat-is-way-too-big story.