First solo

[shanker]

Yesterday I was stood up by my sailing crew. It was so beautiful out I decided to try it on my own. My boat is on the hard so my first challenge was to splash it alone. It took about 20 minutes. There were four people there who simply watched and didn't offer to hold a line. I was pretty determined to lauch myself so mybe they sensed that and decided to stay out of my way. It went well, no stress, calmly making moves untill I had it lashed to the dock.

Soon I was motoring out the lake. Because of the shreading of my genoa during the wind storm earlier this week, I could only use my main. I had steady winds 7 - 11 knotts and sailed around the lake on an absolutely beautiful day. 5 hrs later I brought her in and hooked onto my mooring ball and that was that. I was pretty happy with how calm I was throughout the sail. Always thinking and adapting to the minor glitches that sailing throws at you. I realize it was sailing with only with the main but this gave me confidence to go out again. Still have lots to learn but yesterday was awesome.

Shanker

 

[Dougo]

Some of my best sailing days have been solo. Nothing against family & crew, but there's something about the solitude and challenge that appeals to me. Just need to learn to multi-task a bit!

 

[peptobysmol]

Soloing is a great confidence booster. Additionally, not having the heel alarms on the boat makes it all the more peaceful . Glad you had a successful journey and found more about yourself.

 

[Lucky Day]

Yesterday I was stood up by my sailing crew. It was so beautiful out I decided to try it on my own. My boat is on the hard so my first challenge was to splash it alone. It took about 20 minutes. There were four people there who simply watched and didn't offer to hold a line. I was pretty determined to lauch myself so mybe they sensed that and decided to stay out of my way. It went well, no stress, calmly making moves untill I had it lashed to the dock.

Soon I was motoring out the lake. Because of the shreading of my genoa during the wind storm earlier this week, I could only use my main. I had steady winds 7 - 11 knotts and sailed around the lake on an absolutely beautiful day. 5 hrs later I brought her in and hooked onto my mooring ball and that was that. I was pretty happy with how calm I was throughout the sail. Always thinking and adapting to the minor glitches that sailing throws at you. I realize it was sailing with only with the main but this gave me confidence to go out again. Still have lots to learn but yesterday was awesome.

Shanker

Congrats on the solo, it does offer a great sense of confidence. I did my first Solo on our h260 this past Saturday on Sylvan lake and it was a beautiful day with perfect winds, I requested from my wife that I needed to know for myself that I could single hand our boat and it was a great feeling.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Shanker,
I started sailing at the age of eight in 6' cat boats. I guess I've always relied on myself, so I've never experienced your sense of accomplishment over a solo sail. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Shanker,

Congratulation as it must feel good that you accomplished this alone which the boat was designed for. When you learn the lake and the boat as well, enjoy the night sailing like I did particualy watching the shuttles flying overhead at night in the sky plus all the shooting stars.

Crazy dave condon

 

[dalekidd1956]

Glad you had a successful sail!

 

[weinie]

I've actually started to despise going out with other people. Every time I go out with others its always something new.... (i know rant rant rant). This guy has to be back by so and so time, this guy wants to listen to the stereo, blah blah blah. Then you always have to hose down the head cause someone on the boat thinks he's in a public restroom. And then when you get back to the dock, god forbid they help you put the damn sail cover on instead of rushing home. And forget sailing with wives/girlfriends... I'm not even going there today!
Screw it.... autopilots are the best thing to ever happen to sailing. Joshua Slocum had it right!

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Ouch! I think you need new friends

 

[weinie]

Ouch! I think you need new friends

Yeah, well I didn't even get to the part about cell phones on board. One friend I go with is a wall street guy, the other texts like a teenage girl. When they are both on board, well it's almost like soloing, only I have 2 big obstacles blocking my way to the sheets.:cussing:
Then there's the guy who has another sailboat a few slips down from me. I took him out a few weeks ago only to have his wife call him as we were 15 minutes out to tell him that he had to be home asap to help his mother in law.