You lower your mainsail, then you come off the wind, until the boat spins right round, and the jib becomes hard up against the mast and is taking the wind in the side it shouldnt be taking the wind on. then you are hove too, When you do that, you can get a good nights sleep.
Let me put to rest all of your good folk's worries: of course I do not intend to cross the ocean in the immediate future!
But dream of doing it one day is in order!
I dreamed of getting a boat I could sail on: I found one, structuralyy very sound, with lots of damage that could be repaired: I found a salvage yard with an exact model and year of mine, and struck a deal with the owner of the yard: at first I paid money, but later all was free (in exchange for other goods)
And so I got nice hand rails, stanchions, life lines, (all starboard side, where the boat had come out of the water after Ike and rested 300 feet awy against the side, hence deep scratches along the top); I got a new rudder, bow rail, stern rail, winches, and re-did the bulkheads inside with aromatic cedar (removed the smelly carpet),remoived all the teak that was bad nad re-varnished all: at the bottom, where water had laid for a while, I re-did the cabinets. I still have to re-cover all seats.
And then, I looked back and thought: good job, Jorge! for someone who didn't know a thing about all the above, I did a remarkable transformation
No, my boat is not going anywhere for the next few years, but I have sailed her, had to be rescued (best $130 I ever spent on BoatUS) and intend goiing out for a day or even more. Next step, when I have some money, do a boittom job, and replace through hulls ( look forward to a question related to this!). I know I am going on forever, but I lived in S.A for 23 years, and since 1983 to 1995 bought and restored/imported at least 6 Cadillacs (1959) one 1960 Eldorado Seville, and a 1966 convertible
I was featured in magazines and all, because I persevered and joined Cadillac Club and got help from americans who owned and sold parts (before internet). One day I will put some pics. So you can do anything you set your heart to do, and therin lies MY problem: all heart, no head!
Sorry to have bothered you all and bored you stiff, but my passion has no limits: I intend following all of your advices, like a couple of days out, etc, etc. but amuse me, keep helping and encourage me to continue: as my children poften said, "if we ever got stuck in an island, no one they would rather be but with daddy" (that's me
Love you all, and enjoy sailing, in good health!
Jorge