Story on naming of this boat:

Last year (2005) I was single handing my Catalina 27 up to Maine when the engine went out. Later I would learn the problem was a simple clog in the fuel line, but at the time I had no idea what was wrong other than I had no motor and I needed to deal with sailing the rest of the way.

The wind was 35 nm at a beat until I rounded Cape Elizabeth. Then, in Casco Bay the winds settled down, way down, but shifted some to WNW. Yeah, that would be my new direction. I tacked up and up until I was opposite the fort in Portland Harbor. Then the wind died. Completely.

Have you ever heard about the calm before the storm? I'm sitting there, in a dead calm. Sheets pulled full in to catch every wisp of wind.

That's when it hit. 35 nm winds just swept across the harbor. She broached. I never thought a boat could be slapped down that far without capsizing. With the top of the mast 1 foot off the water (really) she spun around. I was instinctively and frantically reaching for any sheet I could get my hands on.

And then... she came up on a *perfect* beam reach. When I say perfect I mean it. She was so balanced that I had no need to touch the wheel - in what was still a 35 nm wind.

Since then I have been thinking. First about a new name for my C27 (Cheeky Monkey), then, as I realized I'd be moving on, for a name for the next boat.

I felt I had been touched (for a second time in my life, but the first shall remain private), and the boat should carry a name referencing "Spirit". I had almost settled on that name when I came upon "Ruach"

"Ruach" is a Hebrew word. It is used over 200 times in the Old Testament and it is context sensitive. It is the perfect name for her.

In one context it means wind
In another context it means breath
In another contest it means spirit
In the final context it means Holy Spirit

I sail at ease, knowing I am forever in good hands.