Sailing Misadventure XVI Cast of Characters: Ranger Paul Gi (the admiral) J & Annabelle Annabelle’s ma Mary Event: Sycamore Cove Cruise Sailed with new to sailing John (“J”) Lewis, wife Annabelle, and Anabelle’s ma Mary. Nice people. J caught on really quickly. I hope to sweet talk him into being part of my racing crew. Weird winds. We got to about where the Porta Potties are on the main part of the lake a couple times in OK winds…then there was a giant wind hole and we could go no further. Finally decided to break for lunch and motor to the marina and use their picnic tables. The wind filled in quite nicely at about 12-15 mph with some pretty strong gusts during lunch. That is, typical lake sailing with a mix of about everything! Flew the spinnaker in the morning downwind with J driving when the wind was lighter. We were doing good until… a 90 degree windshift that hour glassed the chute. Drat! I have a sock so it is usually pretty easy to simply drop the sock and snuff the hour glass. Unfortunately the sock was on the wrong side. I had carefully figured out what to do when the sock is on the wrong side and it is pretty simple in concept…ease the spin halyard, lean forward, and gently work the sock “come on down” line. Except, I eased the halyard a little too much and forgot to lean forward…thusly wrapping the sock and the “come on down” line around the jib tang making a nice snarl! Course J is commenting: “The shore is getting pretty close!”. I finally unclipped the spin tack so I could gather the spin up and quit catching wind, climbed out on the foredeck, found out what is going on and corrected it. No worries…the shore was still a good 100’ away! I’m sure glad the wind was mild instead of honkin’! Had a great ride on the way back to the dam after lunch! With 5 on board, I had the sails at full power and all the weight to windward…and we were motatin’ pretty good. Tacked up to the dam then broad reached to the ramp clear across the lake. We hit a good gust and, unexpectedly, popped up on a plane. What a ride! The acceleration was incredible. This was my first excellent plane and I was blown away. It only lasted for a short time but I am now addicted! I was blown away that I got it up on the plane with all the crap I was toting. In addition to five on board, the cuddy was crammed with stuff…plus the Porta Potti…plus the gas can…plus the motor! My concept of travelling light and the admiral’s concept of traveling light are diametrically opposed! Ranger Paul ~~~/)~~~
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Great story
Great Storey Paul. It sounds more like an adventure than a misadventure to me!!! I'm still waiting for my first plane on my H216. I've been too timid about heeling thus far to let the boat do all its capable of... Jeff
Great Storey Paul. It sounds more like an adventure than a misadventure to me!!! I'm still waiting for my first plane on my H216. I've been too timid about heeling thus far to let the boat do all its capable of... Jeff
Go for it Jeff
Jeff, don't worry about healing over too far. If a gust hits you sooner than expected, you will find that the 216 will just round up into the wind in spite of your fighting the tiller. Once you've tried it, you'll immediately be comfortable in the knowledge that the 216 is not going to lay down on its side unless the boat is not moving at all and suddenly would get hit with a 25-30 mph broadside. Highly unlikely and only heard of it happening once and then the boat righted itself immediately without taking on any water into the cabin area.
Jeff, don't worry about healing over too far. If a gust hits you sooner than expected, you will find that the 216 will just round up into the wind in spite of your fighting the tiller. Once you've tried it, you'll immediately be comfortable in the knowledge that the 216 is not going to lay down on its side unless the boat is not moving at all and suddenly would get hit with a 25-30 mph broadside. Highly unlikely and only heard of it happening once and then the boat righted itself immediately without taking on any water into the cabin area.
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