I finally got to sail my Vega. I was looking at my long list of
things to do, and trying to plan my weekend. The first mate was
noticing how warm the weekend was going to be and said "So when are
you going to take me out on the boat?". That's all it took. The
forecast winds were not anything exciting. So I expected this would
be a great day to motor out on the water, find a place to sit, and
play with the rigging. My previous boat was a 19 foot trailer
sailer. The sail controls were very basic, haul up the sails, pull
in the sheet. I was a little lost trying to figure out what to do
with all the Vega controls. The winds were a little better than
forecast. Still, I had expected the boat not to be much of a
performer in such light winds. WRONG! I was delighted that after
getting the main sail up, that the boat seemed to be making some
headway. Excited, I quickly dug out the head sail and we were off.
I still would have liked to have a bit more wind to play in, but the
first mate was very pleased..."Now this is my kind of sailing"...I
think were her words. I was extremely pleased with the sailing
performance. I still need to go pick up a book on sail trim though.
I'm still intimidated by the thought of trying to get in/out of the
slip if there is a real blow going. I just got a copy of Anne
Miller's "Out of the Blue" from Walt (thanks walt!). I had to laugh
when I got to this part, "My father and I motored on down through the
canal, entering locks sideways and even sometimes backwards...".
Just when I thought I had gotten the hang of turning the boat by
alternating reverse/forward throttle, this method completely failed
me this weekend. The result was me frantically throwing the throttle
in forward/reverse while the boat slowly made its way between the
piers and out of the marina ... sideways. Oh well, more practise
needed. That help rudder is looking much more attractive.
Chris
V2933 Renee
Chesapeake Bay, USA
things to do, and trying to plan my weekend. The first mate was
noticing how warm the weekend was going to be and said "So when are
you going to take me out on the boat?". That's all it took. The
forecast winds were not anything exciting. So I expected this would
be a great day to motor out on the water, find a place to sit, and
play with the rigging. My previous boat was a 19 foot trailer
sailer. The sail controls were very basic, haul up the sails, pull
in the sheet. I was a little lost trying to figure out what to do
with all the Vega controls. The winds were a little better than
forecast. Still, I had expected the boat not to be much of a
performer in such light winds. WRONG! I was delighted that after
getting the main sail up, that the boat seemed to be making some
headway. Excited, I quickly dug out the head sail and we were off.
I still would have liked to have a bit more wind to play in, but the
first mate was very pleased..."Now this is my kind of sailing"...I
think were her words. I was extremely pleased with the sailing
performance. I still need to go pick up a book on sail trim though.
I'm still intimidated by the thought of trying to get in/out of the
slip if there is a real blow going. I just got a copy of Anne
Miller's "Out of the Blue" from Walt (thanks walt!). I had to laugh
when I got to this part, "My father and I motored on down through the
canal, entering locks sideways and even sometimes backwards...".
Just when I thought I had gotten the hang of turning the boat by
alternating reverse/forward throttle, this method completely failed
me this weekend. The result was me frantically throwing the throttle
in forward/reverse while the boat slowly made its way between the
piers and out of the marina ... sideways. Oh well, more practise
needed. That help rudder is looking much more attractive.
Chris
V2933 Renee
Chesapeake Bay, USA