Well, I finally broke down and bought an OB for the little boat. I also bought a VHF and a color GPS handheld for it. We launched about noon at the Swinomish ramp and headed out the channel under power. Of course some large motor boats flew by, doing their best to capsize us without success. Once we cleared into open water we made sail and proceeded to turn almost 6 knots until we reached Hat island where we found a big hole. As we motored through the assortment of crab pots and motor yachts, I hailed a '32 Bayliner named Scoter out of Anacortes to borrow a couple of wrenches that I didn't have. We rafted up, I pulled the offending bolt that wouldn't let me lock the motor down, said thanks and were on our way. It was gorgeous out with the turquoise water, lush green islands and the white peak of Mt. Baker in the background. The wind came back on the NE side of Guemes and we were rocketing along at 5.2 or so until we turned into the Bellingham Channel, where I got first hand experience with nasty currents. The chop came up (three foot or so) and we drove into the 4 knot current. The wind was dead on the nose at 20+ and it went from warm and pleasant to COLD in no time. Even after cranking up the motor again and motorsailing it took 2.5 hrs. to traverse three miles of channel. Once we broke out around the corner we hit speeds of 8.5 knots SOG. On the way back my running lights failed (gotta pull the panel and clean it up) but we were able to motor back without incident. Docking at the ramp was interesting because of the 4 knot cross current but with some judicious throttle and helm application I managed to do an S-turn around the bridge pillar to Port, swing back against the current to get around the breakwater, 30' away from the pillar, to Starboard and make a hard aPort turn to the dock at the end of the ramp with the current from Starboard and touch the ramp with all three fenders at the same time. No scrapes, crack or crunches in the dark so it was a good thing. I've got pics at home that I'll post up later. Needless to say, the hook is set even deeper, especially for the wife after that sail.
First saltwater sail in the Venture 21
- Thread starter CharlieCobra
- Start date
- Status
small boats and big water
WOW. That sounds like more excitement then you were counting on. If the wife is still a willing sailor after that, you got a good one. Many years ago I had a Venture 22 with a 9 hp outboard. I would have been very leery about trying what you did with her. We spent most of our time inland except for a couple of jaunts in the Albemarle sound
WOW. That sounds like more excitement then you were counting on. If the wife is still a willing sailor after that, you got a good one. Many years ago I had a Venture 22 with a 9 hp outboard. I would have been very leery about trying what you did with her. We spent most of our time inland except for a couple of jaunts in the Albemarle sound
Congrats Charlie
My wife was also hooked under similar circumstances. The amusing part of that sail was that at first I was very nervous about it and didnt show it. My wife on the otherhand, had so much confidence in me, she never knew that we may have been bordering disaster.
My wife was also hooked under similar circumstances. The amusing part of that sail was that at first I was very nervous about it and didnt show it. My wife on the otherhand, had so much confidence in me, she never knew that we may have been bordering disaster.
I think she's HOOKED as much as I am.
During our sojourn through the channel, we dropped sails to try and pound straight up the channel. When we did, the jib hung and wouldn't drop. She hopped up on the foredeck in the midst of that chop and wind to yank it down by hand while hollerin' "Get the hell down". There ain't much room up there on a V-21. While she didn't wanna drive, she handled the sails and one of the sheets without issue. Yeah, I reckon she's a keeper. It was exciting but not overly so. We had six peeps on the boat in 25-35 knot winds on a big lake one time that was much more exciting. Nothing makes your short hairs tingle quite like getting the boat on plane without a spinnaker.
During our sojourn through the channel, we dropped sails to try and pound straight up the channel. When we did, the jib hung and wouldn't drop. She hopped up on the foredeck in the midst of that chop and wind to yank it down by hand while hollerin' "Get the hell down". There ain't much room up there on a V-21. While she didn't wanna drive, she handled the sails and one of the sheets without issue. Yeah, I reckon she's a keeper. It was exciting but not overly so. We had six peeps on the boat in 25-35 knot winds on a big lake one time that was much more exciting. Nothing makes your short hairs tingle quite like getting the boat on plane without a spinnaker.
- Status