It's often been said that sailors are always learning and you never really know it all. So what's the most important lesson you've learned this year? Maybe you learned to fly a spinnaker, reef the main, or some subtlety of sail trim? How about some aspect of boat maintenance, like learning to replace your raw water impeller or change your oil? Perhaps you've learned some new things about navigation like taking bearings, reading charts, or using a GPS? Or maybe you stretched your ability by anchoring out on an overnight sail, crossing some body of water that had intimidated you? Share your continuing education stories here, then vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page. (Quiz contributed by Gary Wyngarden)
- Status
Ten Second Think
What I took most of all from this summer's sailing was a simple routine I call the Ten Second Think: a simple mental review of what will happen before you set a sail, leave a mooring or drop an anchor. For example: let's get the genoa out. Furling line flaked neatly so it won't catch... sheets ready... Ten Second Think: have I set the car position fore/aft ready for the point of sail? Or leaving a berth: all the obvious things are ready but...pause for thought: is the boathook out and ready in case someone drops a fender in the water? Mental checklists can get frayed a bit when things happen on autopilot. This pause for thought exercise helps me to do things by the numbers.
What I took most of all from this summer's sailing was a simple routine I call the Ten Second Think: a simple mental review of what will happen before you set a sail, leave a mooring or drop an anchor. For example: let's get the genoa out. Furling line flaked neatly so it won't catch... sheets ready... Ten Second Think: have I set the car position fore/aft ready for the point of sail? Or leaving a berth: all the obvious things are ready but...pause for thought: is the boathook out and ready in case someone drops a fender in the water? Mental checklists can get frayed a bit when things happen on autopilot. This pause for thought exercise helps me to do things by the numbers.
My Downwind sailing has improved
primarily from reading and using the tips I have found on this forum and another great one, trailer-sailors bullitin board. Being a novice at sailing, I try to learn all I can from those with more experience.
primarily from reading and using the tips I have found on this forum and another great one, trailer-sailors bullitin board. Being a novice at sailing, I try to learn all I can from those with more experience.
I took a Saftey at Sea Seminar. . .
offered by West marine, (the major sponser) very interesting. Also, as a result of some engine problems yhis year, I can bleed my diesel fuel system in under 2 minutes. Chris s/v Tidesong
offered by West marine, (the major sponser) very interesting. Also, as a result of some engine problems yhis year, I can bleed my diesel fuel system in under 2 minutes. Chris s/v Tidesong
Two Lessons
I have learned two things this year. One is that I was not handling sail trim as effectively as I could. I have gotten and followed some guides to sail trim, and that has made a big difference in my boat's performance and our satisfaction sailing. The other lesson is that I'm not using my boat (an '83 Hunter 34) the way I thought I would: weekend cruising with friends and relatives. I get out every two or three weeks and day-sail most of the time. This is making me wonder if, for this phase of my life, I need something smaller and a more "elemental" sailing experience. R Selden
I have learned two things this year. One is that I was not handling sail trim as effectively as I could. I have gotten and followed some guides to sail trim, and that has made a big difference in my boat's performance and our satisfaction sailing. The other lesson is that I'm not using my boat (an '83 Hunter 34) the way I thought I would: weekend cruising with friends and relatives. I get out every two or three weeks and day-sail most of the time. This is making me wonder if, for this phase of my life, I need something smaller and a more "elemental" sailing experience. R Selden
Schooner crew
I did two cruises on the training schooner "Ocean Star" a few years ago. Cumulatively, we covered the New England coast from the Hudson River, NY to Mt Desert Island, ME. This boat (at that time) specialized in hand's-on advanced navigation and coastal piloting, as well as general seamanship. The personal experiences were wonderful, & the training was great. It was a real confidence builder. --Ron
I did two cruises on the training schooner "Ocean Star" a few years ago. Cumulatively, we covered the New England coast from the Hudson River, NY to Mt Desert Island, ME. This boat (at that time) specialized in hand's-on advanced navigation and coastal piloting, as well as general seamanship. The personal experiences were wonderful, & the training was great. It was a real confidence builder. --Ron
I can do it !
I was forced to single hand this summer as my crew took a job out of town. I found that prior planning is important and always have plan "B". I now like sailing single handed. I am planning to take the ASA courses and that should be in December somewhere in Florida. I want to sail better and go farther than before. To accomplish this goal I have to learn more and do more. Fair Winds Julie S/V Miss Adventure
I was forced to single hand this summer as my crew took a job out of town. I found that prior planning is important and always have plan "B". I now like sailing single handed. I am planning to take the ASA courses and that should be in December somewhere in Florida. I want to sail better and go farther than before. To accomplish this goal I have to learn more and do more. Fair Winds Julie S/V Miss Adventure
Attachments
use your charts
We have fallen into a very bad habit of not consulting the appropriate charts but relying upon memory. After sailing in the North Channel for the last 35+ years we repeate many of the harbours and inlets yearly.... but the water level droped and we watch while others find all the "NEW" rocks. Then we rush to get the charts out!! DID YOU KNOW THAT THE TURN INTO THE POOL FROM BAY FINN HAS A 5 FT. ROCK IN THE CENTER??? We watched several make this discovery.
We have fallen into a very bad habit of not consulting the appropriate charts but relying upon memory. After sailing in the North Channel for the last 35+ years we repeate many of the harbours and inlets yearly.... but the water level droped and we watch while others find all the "NEW" rocks. Then we rush to get the charts out!! DID YOU KNOW THAT THE TURN INTO THE POOL FROM BAY FINN HAS A 5 FT. ROCK IN THE CENTER??? We watched several make this discovery.
Julia! Sister sailor!!
Congratulations on single-handing! I accomplished this last summer and it was very liberating. Unfortunately, I don't enjoy it as much as you do - it gets a little lonely, not to mention I get VERY tired!! Did I ever mention I'm a lazy sailor? ;-) Anyway, congrats!! LaDonna
Congratulations on single-handing! I accomplished this last summer and it was very liberating. Unfortunately, I don't enjoy it as much as you do - it gets a little lonely, not to mention I get VERY tired!! Did I ever mention I'm a lazy sailor? ;-) Anyway, congrats!! LaDonna
US Sailing Classes have been great!
I started Sailing a year ago and have been working my way through US Sailing's Keelboat System (http://www.ussailing.org/commercial/keelboatsystem.htm) with Club Nautique (http://www.clubnautique.net/index_JS.html). I was certified in Bareboat Cruising and Coastal Navigation this summer. I was also able get into the last Coastal Passage Making (CPM) class held at Club Nautique this summer. Six of us sailed out the Golden Gate on a Gib Sea 43, down to Half Moon Bay and back over the weekend. It was a great trip, I learned a lot. The crew and the instructor was great. Lots of sea life to see! Although the winds were light and we did a lot of motoring, I was able to do some pacific ocean sailing for the first time. Now I am another step closer to my goal of doing an ocean crossing, all in preperation for the eventual world cruise! I'll be practicing my skills learned over the winter, I should be able to complete my CPM Certification next summer. As we have seen in previous surveys here, many have taught themselves to sail without ever taking a class. But I am very confident of my sailing skills based on the US Sailing instruction and actual training I am recieving. I feel I have come a long way in a short period of time. I highly recomend pursuing this certification series. Michael S/V Patience
I started Sailing a year ago and have been working my way through US Sailing's Keelboat System (http://www.ussailing.org/commercial/keelboatsystem.htm) with Club Nautique (http://www.clubnautique.net/index_JS.html). I was certified in Bareboat Cruising and Coastal Navigation this summer. I was also able get into the last Coastal Passage Making (CPM) class held at Club Nautique this summer. Six of us sailed out the Golden Gate on a Gib Sea 43, down to Half Moon Bay and back over the weekend. It was a great trip, I learned a lot. The crew and the instructor was great. Lots of sea life to see! Although the winds were light and we did a lot of motoring, I was able to do some pacific ocean sailing for the first time. Now I am another step closer to my goal of doing an ocean crossing, all in preperation for the eventual world cruise! I'll be practicing my skills learned over the winter, I should be able to complete my CPM Certification next summer. As we have seen in previous surveys here, many have taught themselves to sail without ever taking a class. But I am very confident of my sailing skills based on the US Sailing instruction and actual training I am recieving. I feel I have come a long way in a short period of time. I highly recomend pursuing this certification series. Michael S/V Patience
Finally...what works for me.
After years and years of sailing, my body and equilibrium could never get together; I always get sick the first night of overnight passages. Getting up in the middle of the night to stand watch always made me sick no matter what type of seasickness medication I took. This year, during a three-day passage, I actually had a Doctor aboard that was able to prescribe the correct dosage combination of two medicines along with the scopalomine (sp?) that, when taken at the right time, keep me from getting sick. It's amazing and now I look even more forward to my offshore passages! Yippee!!! Now I can actually have a mixed drink while offshore, it's a first after 20 years, I'm lovin' it. I hope everyone that has a weak stomach finds this kind of relief and increased satisfaction in their sailing adventures. JH
After years and years of sailing, my body and equilibrium could never get together; I always get sick the first night of overnight passages. Getting up in the middle of the night to stand watch always made me sick no matter what type of seasickness medication I took. This year, during a three-day passage, I actually had a Doctor aboard that was able to prescribe the correct dosage combination of two medicines along with the scopalomine (sp?) that, when taken at the right time, keep me from getting sick. It's amazing and now I look even more forward to my offshore passages! Yippee!!! Now I can actually have a mixed drink while offshore, it's a first after 20 years, I'm lovin' it. I hope everyone that has a weak stomach finds this kind of relief and increased satisfaction in their sailing adventures. JH
2 other meds.?
Seasickness is ruining my wife's sailing experience. Can you share the names of the other 2 meds.(besides scopalomine) that completed the combination that worked for you? She is a practitioner herself but does not self-medicate. She would like the names of the products for discussion with her doctor. Thanks! Jack
Seasickness is ruining my wife's sailing experience. Can you share the names of the other 2 meds.(besides scopalomine) that completed the combination that worked for you? She is a practitioner herself but does not self-medicate. She would like the names of the products for discussion with her doctor. Thanks! Jack
Vang
This year I finally got my head around the vang. Coming out of dinghy sailing I used it like you do for small boats. Crank it on and leave it on in any kind of breaze or if you dump the main in a puff you're going swimming as the boom rises, the draft increases, and the boat turtles - quickly. This year I really started working it to allow me to reef later. Big improvement in boat speed. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
This year I finally got my head around the vang. Coming out of dinghy sailing I used it like you do for small boats. Crank it on and leave it on in any kind of breaze or if you dump the main in a puff you're going swimming as the boom rises, the draft increases, and the boat turtles - quickly. This year I really started working it to allow me to reef later. Big improvement in boat speed. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
We gained more confidence this year
This year we upgraded to a Hunter 33 from an older New Horizon 25'. What a good season we have had. We took a couple of trips across Lake Michigan from Chicago to St. Joseph, Michigan in some pretty rough weather. With wind gusting to 20-30 knots, waves 4-7' across our beam and temperatures in the mid 40's, we really pushed our previous sailing envelope. The Hunter handled very well and since this was a first for us, we really increased our sailing confidance.
This year we upgraded to a Hunter 33 from an older New Horizon 25'. What a good season we have had. We took a couple of trips across Lake Michigan from Chicago to St. Joseph, Michigan in some pretty rough weather. With wind gusting to 20-30 knots, waves 4-7' across our beam and temperatures in the mid 40's, we really pushed our previous sailing envelope. The Hunter handled very well and since this was a first for us, we really increased our sailing confidance.
Pocket PC's Add New Dimention
My wife got me an IPAQ Pocket PC for Anniversary. Good for what? Names and addresses and appointments, that kind of thing, right? WRONG? I invested another &500 (about what the gadget cost her) and put attached a Navman sleeve for GPS and bought the chargs from Maptech... Now I hold in my hand the little device that tells me exactly where I am on the REAL N.O.A.A. chart and projects my direction, speed and other pertinent data. I took "Sails Call" into an inky black night, down Adams Creek (Intercoastal) in the direction of Beaufort. I learned so much about navigation at night during that one experience that would now feel comfortable coming in after dark on one of our many voyages to Cape Lookout and back, whereas before I would have rather wrestled a grizley bear than to come in after sunset. I have seen the new GPS units with mapping technology, but they aren't representations of the ACTUAL chart. This is!
My wife got me an IPAQ Pocket PC for Anniversary. Good for what? Names and addresses and appointments, that kind of thing, right? WRONG? I invested another &500 (about what the gadget cost her) and put attached a Navman sleeve for GPS and bought the chargs from Maptech... Now I hold in my hand the little device that tells me exactly where I am on the REAL N.O.A.A. chart and projects my direction, speed and other pertinent data. I took "Sails Call" into an inky black night, down Adams Creek (Intercoastal) in the direction of Beaufort. I learned so much about navigation at night during that one experience that would now feel comfortable coming in after dark on one of our many voyages to Cape Lookout and back, whereas before I would have rather wrestled a grizley bear than to come in after sunset. I have seen the new GPS units with mapping technology, but they aren't representations of the ACTUAL chart. This is!
More on Seasickness...for Jack
Jack: Tried to find an email for you to no avail so here's the data in public: I had tried all of these independently with little to no relief, but the combinations below worked for me: Start with scopalomine patch the day before you leave/sail. If you have to go below for any length of time that makes you the least bit queazy, take one small Meklazine (sp?) after you come back on deck.(Meklazine comes in the form of Bonine at many stores) If you have to go below to sleep while underway, take the diaphenhydrate (active ingredient in Dramamine) before going to sleep and one small Meklazine/Bonine as soon as you wake up. If you feel queazy all of the sudden, regardless of activity, take two small Meklazine with as little liquid as it takes to get them down. This reduces the unbalancable load in the stomach and the Meklazine can actually help neutralize the stomach acids that create/support nausea. All of the tablets are taken in addition to wearing the scopalomine patch. You must be aware that the patch only lasts three days and wears thin on dosage after about 40-50 hours. Some folks I know actually replace their patch daily; this gets expensive but works for them. I also continue to eat well before and while sailing to reduce the possibility of nausea. I eliminate the heavy spices, reduce the alcohol, and eat very balanced meals with lots of fiber. I also make sure that I do not get hot and sweaty while below in a seaway; that gets to me immediately. I always bring my outerwear to the cockpit before putting it on, that sort of thing. Good luck to you.
Jack: Tried to find an email for you to no avail so here's the data in public: I had tried all of these independently with little to no relief, but the combinations below worked for me: Start with scopalomine patch the day before you leave/sail. If you have to go below for any length of time that makes you the least bit queazy, take one small Meklazine (sp?) after you come back on deck.(Meklazine comes in the form of Bonine at many stores) If you have to go below to sleep while underway, take the diaphenhydrate (active ingredient in Dramamine) before going to sleep and one small Meklazine/Bonine as soon as you wake up. If you feel queazy all of the sudden, regardless of activity, take two small Meklazine with as little liquid as it takes to get them down. This reduces the unbalancable load in the stomach and the Meklazine can actually help neutralize the stomach acids that create/support nausea. All of the tablets are taken in addition to wearing the scopalomine patch. You must be aware that the patch only lasts three days and wears thin on dosage after about 40-50 hours. Some folks I know actually replace their patch daily; this gets expensive but works for them. I also continue to eat well before and while sailing to reduce the possibility of nausea. I eliminate the heavy spices, reduce the alcohol, and eat very balanced meals with lots of fiber. I also make sure that I do not get hot and sweaty while below in a seaway; that gets to me immediately. I always bring my outerwear to the cockpit before putting it on, that sort of thing. Good luck to you.
Nerves of a Novice
Since I and my partner just finished Basic Sailing 105 with Annapolis Sailing School, we can now say we have been stretched. Anyway, I think our teacher Captain Rob would say we had a workout on the 24' Rainbow trainer. This comment is only relevant to our 1982 33' Hunter in that she's waiting patiently for us to learn how to sail.
Since I and my partner just finished Basic Sailing 105 with Annapolis Sailing School, we can now say we have been stretched. Anyway, I think our teacher Captain Rob would say we had a workout on the 24' Rainbow trainer. This comment is only relevant to our 1982 33' Hunter in that she's waiting patiently for us to learn how to sail.
seasickness cure
Jack, try the seabands! the cheap button bands work for many people, and the electronic ones have been extensively tested and usually will stop seasickness even after symptoms occur-this from firsthand experience!
Jack, try the seabands! the cheap button bands work for many people, and the electronic ones have been extensively tested and usually will stop seasickness even after symptoms occur-this from firsthand experience!
Ginger, meclazine
Jack: There is also ginger (ginger ale, ginger snaps etc). The other product besides scope patches is Meclazine (sp?), I think it is also known by a generic name of Anti-vert. Seasickness is just one of those things, you may be fine for weeks or months but find the right conditions and you are sick. I have used the Relief Band and had luck with them too. It is one product that I think would be worth trying. Like one of the previous posts points out they work after the symptoms appear. Most of the other products do not do too much after the fact.
Jack: There is also ginger (ginger ale, ginger snaps etc). The other product besides scope patches is Meclazine (sp?), I think it is also known by a generic name of Anti-vert. Seasickness is just one of those things, you may be fine for weeks or months but find the right conditions and you are sick. I have used the Relief Band and had luck with them too. It is one product that I think would be worth trying. Like one of the previous posts points out they work after the symptoms appear. Most of the other products do not do too much after the fact.
More help for seasickness
There's a medication called Stugeron that's available over-the-counter in Europe and the UK. However, it's not FDA-approved and so is not available in the US. For the medically inclined, the active ingredient is cinnarazine. I bought some Stugeron Forte (the highest strength, 125 mg) the last time I was in The Bahamas. I found it to be more effective than scopolamine, Dramamine or Bonine, with minimal side effects. It was also effective after the onset of seasickness. Pity we can't get it here... Peter H23 "Raven"
There's a medication called Stugeron that's available over-the-counter in Europe and the UK. However, it's not FDA-approved and so is not available in the US. For the medically inclined, the active ingredient is cinnarazine. I bought some Stugeron Forte (the highest strength, 125 mg) the last time I was in The Bahamas. I found it to be more effective than scopolamine, Dramamine or Bonine, with minimal side effects. It was also effective after the onset of seasickness. Pity we can't get it here... Peter H23 "Raven"
- Status