Have you been sailing?

Ken Cross

Ken Cross

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Oct 24, 2010
2,405
Hunter 30 Everett, WA
Just because I like reading about special times I thought I'd post this with the hope others would post theirs.

Yesterday we took my daughter (adult) and her co-worker out for a sail. The co-worker had never sailed and it was something she had always wanted to try. The sky was clear and the high temp around 80 with about 10 knots of steady wind. We tossed in a crab pot and away we went.

A pod of dolphins decided to follow us at close range (almost never happens in Puget Sound) The boat sailed well as we enjoyed the scenery, food, and (everyone except me at the helm) wine. Then we pulled the crab pot with 4 keepers and headed back to the dock with a young woman suddenly in love with sailing. Apparently the crab we sent her home with was no small treat either. She intended to make sure her husband and friends knew what they'd missed.

It's just a lot of fun to see someone catch the bug.
Ken
 
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Charlie Jones s/v Tehani

Charlie Jones s/v Tehani

.
Mar 1, 2012
2,182
1961 Rhodes Meridian 25 Texas coast
Starting last fall, I have been taking a lady out and teaching her to sail. In October, she fund a rather battered 21 footer, ,which we have rebuild. Last Weds we sailed out of HER slip for the very first time. She was absolutely ecstatic :)
 
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DaveJ

DaveJ

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Apr 2, 2013
526
Catalina 310 Niagara-on-the-Lake
On the weekend we took my wife's 86 year old Aunt and Uncle out for a sail, light winds and no waves. Neither had ever been in a sailboat (they've been in a hot air balloon!). Both of them helmed and after a lunch at the dock the best comment was 'you have made 2 old people very happy today'.

Cheers
 
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Boomer54

Boomer54

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Feb 3, 2015
299
Marlow Hunter 37 Reefpoint Marina Racine, WI
In the past two weeks we have taken two different couples out sailing for the first time. I'm not sure who had more fun, them or us watching them light up!
 
T

Tony_Furst

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Jun 10, 2012
85
Hunter 23.5 Indian Lake
Over the years I have taken a number of folks sailing and some have gotten the bug and some haven't. My best one was just recently with my step-son and his girlfriend, they have sailed numerous times with me in the past and a couple of weeks ago we were out and he told me how much he enjoyed the time out on the water with me and that he could just relax and enjoy the quiet. He went on to tell me that one day when he can afford a boat of his own he will definitely be buying a sailboat, well his timing was perfect as we were getting rid of our Lightning because my knees couldn't handle it anymore. I made his day when I told him the Lightning was all his, a gift as a way to turn him into a sailor. He is so excited he is now doing all he can to learn more and can't wait to take me out sailing. The best part is he is the only one of our 9, yes 9, kids that likes to sail.
 
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S

SFS

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Aug 18, 2015
2,092
Currently Boatless Okinawa
Good on you, Tony. Made me smile and tear up at the same time.
 
T

Tony_Furst

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Jun 10, 2012
85
Hunter 23.5 Indian Lake
BTW, we will still be sailing, it will just be on our Hunter 23.5, not nearly as hard on the knees and my step son and his girlfriend love going out with me to crew.
 
J

jeepbluetj

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Jan 18, 2016
782
Catalina 387 Dana Point
I take out quite a few newbies from time to time.
They tend to converge into groups:

1. Those that get seasick almost immediatly and hate the experience.
2. Those (often powerboaters) that find 5-6 kts waaaay too slow
3. The group that starts to perk up the moment the engine is shut down and the swish/swish/swish sailing thing happens. They also have a big a$$ grin the whole time.

I invite group #3 back. I have a friend that just loves to sail. If it's just me and her on the boat we'd sail until it's not possible at all. 2 kts? That's fine. Better than listening to the motor. I just love to sail.
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,535
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Ken. Your query just had to be answered. Last January I pulled my mast to refit the rigging, and all the stuff she carries on the mast. A big project that took nearly 6 months. We got the mast on the boat but then came the reconnect of all the new wiring and running rigging, refitting the sails etc. and addressing a fuel problem another 45 days. Finally I got the boat 90% together. So last Wednesday the 20th of July I threw the lines on to the dock and pushed my boat out of the slip breaking her tie to the Marina. The breezes were about 10-12 knots. The sun was nearing set and I raised the sails to catch the breeze.
image.jpeg
The sunset glowed on her sails.
image.jpeg
And settled beyond Whidbey Island.
image.jpeg
As I remembered why I love sailing.
 
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Ken13559

Ken13559

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Oct 29, 2005
2,366
Hunter Marine 326 303 Singapore
I'm envious of your sailing! I'm still fixing my broken mast tang. Boatyard didn't want to touch it 'cos they've no insurance for mast work! Bummer. But I must say I'm learning more of my boat doing this repair myself.
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,535
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Ken13559 said:
I'm envious of your sailing! I'm still fixing my broken mast tang. Boatyard didn't want to touch it 'cos they've no insurance for mast work! Bummer. But I must say I'm learning more of my boat doing this repair myself.
Click to expand
Yes Ken. Repairs take time to do correctly. Finding the right person with knowledge skill and an be creative when needed may be the most difficult. I got lucky with the rigger who helped. Took 4.5 months to get the spreaders replaced. Originals were made of spruce in 1974. They were rotten. Compressed like a sponge when I squeezed them. All better now. You'll be sailing again soon.
 
C

CHARLIE STAGE

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Jul 4, 2011
68
Cal 33 ft. MKII Clayton, N.Y. St. Lawrence Rvr
Hello Larry!!!
I am currently not sailing for two weeks now so I am in the club!
A true measure of how much someone likes it when you take them sailing is when they ask to go out again and do not wait for you to ask them.
Let's keep up the great work.
 
Mark Maulden

Mark Maulden

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Jan 25, 2011
2,439
S2 11.0A Anacortes, WA
Every year, Anacortes has a weekend waterfront festival and the yacht club provides free rides on members boats both power and sail. For most people, this the first time on a sailboat and its really cool as they really enjoy it. The kids are especially excited.
 
fred1diver

fred1diver

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Aug 17, 2013
1,309
Pearson P30 202 Ottawa
I try to head out every other weekend and if possible every weekend, so far most of my days out were motoring as there was no wind :( but last saturday evening we had some good wind and sailed for a bit over 2 hours
 
Ken Cross

Ken Cross

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Oct 24, 2010
2,405
Hunter 30 Everett, WA
For me, working on the boat can be almost as gratifying. It depends on the project. Now I need to finish up some commitments. I can't wait for August 2nd when we spend 24 days aboard. It should be great fun and I hope all my projects hang in there. We'll have more guests during part of that time. Our new dodger should be installed by then. Canvas shops seem to be real busy. I authorized the new canvass in early April.
 
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lehighsail

lehighsail

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Feb 21, 2008
418
Hunter 33 Metedeconk River
My name is Larry and it's been 3 weeks since I've sailed...[/QUOTE]

Boomer54 +1; best quip I have heard in years.
 
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