Two weeks ago the wind was out of the SW at about 30 Kts. Enough to put white caps on the lake. I have very little experience, but I've been rebuilding my old 1977 C-27 for three years and I was going whip myself if I missed such a nice fresh breeze on a sunny day! So, with courage and perseverance and a whole lotta stupidity I set out of port under power. When I hit the open lake the wind was at what felt like "Hurricane' force. Blowing a good 35-40 MPH. But, being the novice sailor that I am I was not deterred by my obvious bad choice.(There are names for guys like me.....The term DA comes to mind!) Bow into the wind and up goes the main'sl. I had read enough to know you put the boat 'in irons' before trying to raise the main. They should have put me 'in irons'. While grasping the mast and holding on with one arm for dear life, I managed to get the sail up about 2/3 of the way to the top of the mast. As the boat blew off to port and the wind caught the sail I instantly knew I was in deep trouble. She instantly layed on her side, the top of the mast about five feet from the crest of the waves. Somehow I was able, in my new prone position, to pull down the mainand while doing so the boat righted herself. I was shaken, but not deterred. (my wife was manic, but that's a whole other story). Again, I put my bow directly into the wind and dug out the reefing straps. One third the way up thge mast and tied off, I knew I was set. I caught the wind and over I went! When I finally righted and changed my shorts I cranked up the old engine and beat it back to port. Lesson learned. Don't mess with Mother Nature. Don't think you can sail because you've read every book ever published, and don't ever, ever, go out on a cold and windy lake without a life jacket strapped to your body........
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And don't scare the Admiral!
Hope it's not a "fatal" lesson! Glad you are here to write about it! Better luck next time! If she goes out with you again, stick with her for the rest of your life! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Hope it's not a "fatal" lesson! Glad you are here to write about it! Better luck next time! If she goes out with you again, stick with her for the rest of your life! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Lake Lanier!
Eric... I have been sailing on Lake Lanier since 1979 and have owned five boats since then from a Columbia 23 to my present Catalina 30. I have experienced all kinds of weather conditions in all seasons throughout the years and know all too well, that what you feel coming out of your protected dock and marina is not what your going to get once you hit the open water!! I want you to think of something here and I do not want to alarm you! If this were a Catalina 22 or similar small vessel, the probability of going over if you could not get your main down or let "her just go into the irons" could have been life threatening given the tempature of the water, chances of hypothermia and few boats on the water that day. You took a big risk with limited experience. Lake Lanier can be a dangerous place to be on bad weather and you MUST always be aware of that. It amazes me how many sailors try to make a run for it when suddens storms approach under full canvas only to get the @#$&* kicked out of them with some resulting damage and bruised ego's. As your new to this great adventure, practice patience, be a prudent mariner always on guard, always aware and always knowing your limitations and your vessel. If need be join a sailclub, like Barefoot Sailing club where you can meet fellow sailors who can teach and mentor you and come along as crew to help out. I would pleased to give you some pointers, especially when the lake caps and the wind howls. Please stay safe, learn from the experience and most of all, head out at this stage when its under 15.... Bob Breezin II Sunrise Cover
Eric... I have been sailing on Lake Lanier since 1979 and have owned five boats since then from a Columbia 23 to my present Catalina 30. I have experienced all kinds of weather conditions in all seasons throughout the years and know all too well, that what you feel coming out of your protected dock and marina is not what your going to get once you hit the open water!! I want you to think of something here and I do not want to alarm you! If this were a Catalina 22 or similar small vessel, the probability of going over if you could not get your main down or let "her just go into the irons" could have been life threatening given the tempature of the water, chances of hypothermia and few boats on the water that day. You took a big risk with limited experience. Lake Lanier can be a dangerous place to be on bad weather and you MUST always be aware of that. It amazes me how many sailors try to make a run for it when suddens storms approach under full canvas only to get the @#$&* kicked out of them with some resulting damage and bruised ego's. As your new to this great adventure, practice patience, be a prudent mariner always on guard, always aware and always knowing your limitations and your vessel. If need be join a sailclub, like Barefoot Sailing club where you can meet fellow sailors who can teach and mentor you and come along as crew to help out. I would pleased to give you some pointers, especially when the lake caps and the wind howls. Please stay safe, learn from the experience and most of all, head out at this stage when its under 15.... Bob Breezin II Sunrise Cover
you would have been fine
You would have been "fine" if you had a tripple reefed main and/or a 50% jib. Or, just a reefed Genoa.
You would have been "fine" if you had a tripple reefed main and/or a 50% jib. Or, just a reefed Genoa.
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