Getting Her use to sailing

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Jul 1, 1998
3,062
Hunter Legend 35 Poulsbo/Semiahmoo WA
If you're the Captian.....

.... the Admiral is Always Right! If she has fears that's something you'll have to deal with - nicely. You did the right thing about going back so that's a plus for next time. a.k.a, an atta-boy - oh, and you know what a thousand atta-boys equals? ;) Also, a Question: What is the condition of the sails on the boat? If they are "drafty" then the boat will feel tender and want to round up a lot. This'll make the boat much more skittish and less fun to sail because every slight gust that comes along will cause the boat to heel, the weather helm will increase substantially, and, like stated earlier, the boat will want to round up. Not fun. This could be an influencing factor. Also if the sails are not trimmed for the conditions - f.e., horizontal wrinkles in the jib luff, main has scallops between lugs, etc.
 
K

KayakDan

Little steps...

When we bought our last sail boat,first thing I did was sign up for ASA 101 for both of us. She was new to sailing,I wasn't,but it still helped for both of us to do the class together. First time I laid the boat over to 25o,everything in the cabin crashing loose,and she thinks we're going in for a swim. We didn't,and I explained why,and I took it easier for a while. She gradually got used to heeling,and as a measure of security,I gave her the mainsheet. "If you get uncomfortable with the boat-ease the sheet,and we'll come back up." She was now in charge of heeling,and she could find her comfort level. New year,new boat,and she is much more comfortable. I pointed out a few months ago that she was smiling at25o now,braced to ride. I had to ask her to ease the mainsheet at about 35o last weekend. I wasn't sure how much she was getting into sailing till she said" I really hate to see the sailing season end so soon-let's get one more trip in!" Let your wife get into the sport at her own pace,and you'll have a great sailing partner.
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
I have a radical suggestion.

Give the boat to your wife, Allow her to be in command. Allow her to make the decisions on where to go, how much sail to hoist, when to reef, when to stop for the day. Akter all if you go out in light air and spend a nice lazy day wafting and cover five or six miles in the whole day, you may discovery that you enjoy her companionship almost as much as sailing. A marriage should be a 50/50 partnership.
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Jack boats, There are a million of them

like; the beatings will continue until moral improves. But the use of any of them at an inappropriate time could result in you sleeping in the garage and eating out of a hubcap. ;)
 
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