Made another first this weekend. Family crew was a bit light as my son is a main lead on his schools BEST Robotics Team and my wife was down with allergies. So I asked my daughter did she feel up for a Dad and Daughter trip, our first time just the 2 of us to run the boat. She agreed and we packed a lunch and snacks and headed to the lake.
This is the first time I've been back to the boat since the Hurricane last week, by the time it made it here was just rain and 30-40 mph winds. Dock neighbors were nice and put 2 additional lines on her just in case and I reviewed with one of the marina owners if my lines and knots looked ok and he assured me I was in good shape and the extra were just in case.
After a bit of clean up and a quick fuel run we made it out and under sail with no issues or problems. My daughter is 11 years old so she was on the tiller and did great keeping us pointed into the wind while I raised the sails. We picked up some wind and cruised slowly out till the wind stopped. So with no wind I practiced some reefing, jiffy reefing wasn't very jiffy. I'll have to remember to plan ahead when I actually need to reef down the road because it was a lot of fiddling around to get the sail shape. We took our lunch of champions, peanut butter and jelly which is her favorite sandwiches and a large bowl of watermelon, also her favorite.
With still no wind I noted some clouds rolling in over the mountain behind the marine and thought we should head in. Keeping it safe we stowed the sails and put the bumpers out before getting underway and I reviewed her role in hooking the bow line at our slip. This was a first for her as her brother normally does it. She followed my instructions to sit on the bow, do not lean out of the life lines, hook either dock line and quickly attach bow cleat. If the line or hook start to pull you, just let it go and do not stand up till we are secured. I also reviewed where the additional lines where and if I called for them she was to get them to throw to me. I'll say this, I love my kids but she listens and doesn't question or debate every time like my 13 year old son.
We motored in with the storm coming right at us and a bit of waves and wind and some light sprinkles. Once in the marine we actually looked like we knew what we were doing and the docking was smooth and seamless. She hooked the first line she could, a spring line, and pulled it to the bow and cleat like she had done it before no sweat. I stepped off to the dock with the boat gently drifting the last bit of space and had a stern line on with easy and no drama. Any time I can make it into our parallel parking slip with no stress I'm always excited. I told her I was real proud of her and can't wait till we can try again with a bit more wind.
The trip was a lot shorter, originally we planned to stay out all day, but the storm clouds spooked me and based on the down pour we drove home in it was probably the right call. It might have been a brief storm that most would just wait out in the cabin, but I wanted a good time and stress free dad and daughter trip.
This is the first time I've been back to the boat since the Hurricane last week, by the time it made it here was just rain and 30-40 mph winds. Dock neighbors were nice and put 2 additional lines on her just in case and I reviewed with one of the marina owners if my lines and knots looked ok and he assured me I was in good shape and the extra were just in case.
After a bit of clean up and a quick fuel run we made it out and under sail with no issues or problems. My daughter is 11 years old so she was on the tiller and did great keeping us pointed into the wind while I raised the sails. We picked up some wind and cruised slowly out till the wind stopped. So with no wind I practiced some reefing, jiffy reefing wasn't very jiffy. I'll have to remember to plan ahead when I actually need to reef down the road because it was a lot of fiddling around to get the sail shape. We took our lunch of champions, peanut butter and jelly which is her favorite sandwiches and a large bowl of watermelon, also her favorite.
With still no wind I noted some clouds rolling in over the mountain behind the marine and thought we should head in. Keeping it safe we stowed the sails and put the bumpers out before getting underway and I reviewed her role in hooking the bow line at our slip. This was a first for her as her brother normally does it. She followed my instructions to sit on the bow, do not lean out of the life lines, hook either dock line and quickly attach bow cleat. If the line or hook start to pull you, just let it go and do not stand up till we are secured. I also reviewed where the additional lines where and if I called for them she was to get them to throw to me. I'll say this, I love my kids but she listens and doesn't question or debate every time like my 13 year old son.
We motored in with the storm coming right at us and a bit of waves and wind and some light sprinkles. Once in the marine we actually looked like we knew what we were doing and the docking was smooth and seamless. She hooked the first line she could, a spring line, and pulled it to the bow and cleat like she had done it before no sweat. I stepped off to the dock with the boat gently drifting the last bit of space and had a stern line on with easy and no drama. Any time I can make it into our parallel parking slip with no stress I'm always excited. I told her I was real proud of her and can't wait till we can try again with a bit more wind.
The trip was a lot shorter, originally we planned to stay out all day, but the storm clouds spooked me and based on the down pour we drove home in it was probably the right call. It might have been a brief storm that most would just wait out in the cabin, but I wanted a good time and stress free dad and daughter trip.
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should be coming to AL next month so maybe you can get in a few more sailing days before it gets cold. Good report. Maybe find one of the interactive learn to sail programs and send your daughter a link. You never know, she might have you on the bow handling lines next summer.
