I definetely have an intersting sailing story to tell. Actually, it's one that is not only imbarassing but also serves as a reminder for good/better seamanship or at least navigation. Anyone who has ever sailed the lower Chesapeake Bay will understand what I'm talking about. This goes back a number of years. I was 18 years or such, relying on my Dad for unfalable navigation. Anyway, we had just bought a 23ft O'day and were sailing it down from the Potomac to our new home port at Little Creek in Norfolk. Everything was going great until Dad decides to take a nap and leave the helm. I remind you I'm only 18 years of age and haven't been on a boat for some years! We get near New Point Comfort Light at the mouth of Mobjack Bay and I steer a course near the lighthouse for reference and all of... a thud! We've run aground. And all because I went to close to the lighouse.! Shouldn't I have realized that a lighthouse was there to mark a shoal or something? Long story short....we had the coast guard rescue latter in the evening as we drifted off the shoal at high tide. The wonderful coast guard personell pulled us to safety in Davis Creek of Mobjack Bay. After the tide had floated us off the bar, we snagged the anchor rode around the outboard prop shaft! And to make matters worse, since we were only on a 21 footer we had a tiller steering system that came out of the water at high tide & we couldn't fit back into its place...so we had no steering. After a long day & night we struck out the next day and finally made our little sailboat to it's safe harbor at Little Creek. Some fifteen years latter and sailing a 31 footer, I have learned so much from that experience. It is one that is unforgetable but yet a learning experience at the same time. Sailing now some 15 years latter and on a much larger vessel has given me the experience and humbleness needed to continue sailing for years into the future. Without trials & tribulations would any of us venture out of our slips again?