Changes in Latitudes – Fair Winds: Jimmy Buffet

Sept 26, 2023

By Greg Smith

Photo caption: shutterstock

When news broke that Jimmy Buffet had died, we immediately reached out to Parrothead, Greg Smith. So committed is Greg he named his boat after a character from Where is Joe Merchant? a novel by Jimmy Buffett, published in 1992. The book, a New York Times Best Seller, revolves around Frank Bama and his ex-girlfriend, hemorrhoid-ointment heiress Trevor Kane.

John – There’s so much more about Buffett…. his story telling, songs about sea, and laid-back Caribbean cruising lifestyle was the key to his success. Sailors or not, everyone finds the romance and the beauty of water addicting. Add a beach and Margaritis and that’s a simple recipe for success. Buffett died a billionaire.

Non sailors bought a lot of sailboats because of what Buffett was selling.

My favorite Buffet quote just about sums up all of boating:

It’s almost like getting a boat to go out to sea. You’ve still got a countless number of things left to fix, but you’ve just got to go, ‘O.K., everybody – get on the boat. We’re going, ready or not.’

Buffett claimed Margaritaville was a made-up place in his mind, basically made up about experiences in Key West and having to leave Key West and go on the road to work and then come back and spend time by the beach. “It’s pure escapism is all it is,” he told the Republic.

“Canada holds a special place in my heart,” Buffet told The Canadian Press in a 2004 interview. “I’ve got more family in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia than I do in the States.” Buffett would make a point to travel to the province’s far-flung rural communities, stumbling upon his grandfather’s home community of Rose Blanche. The song Son of a Son of a Sailor is based on his connection to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

“When he found out where his ancestry is from, it connected and made sense to him,” TV comedian Mark Critch said. “I guess we’re pretty laid back. We like to drink; we like the ocean. Those are very Jimmy Buffett things.

Buffet was a sailor, pilot, writer, musician and the list goes on. His most famous plane, Hemisphere Dancer, a 1954 Gumman HU-16 Albatross flying boat now sits in Universal Studios.

Another favorite quote:
If there’s a heaven for me, I’m sure it has a beach attached.

contributor Greg aboard Trevor Kane