A little over a year ago I posted this question and many since)on HOW. After a full year and some time to reflect I thought it might be helpful to update everyone on our experience(s). We have 3 kids (14B, 12B and 6G) and had very little experience sailing prior to taking the plung and buying a 2 year old 376 and moving it to Wickford RI. We had numerous freinds who "knew how to sail" and offered to help. Buying the boat and painting the bottom/spring clean-up went well. My wife took the coast guard sailing class (I travel during te week)and we were ready to learn. The dealer in CT agreed to help teach us before we moved the boat, but he lacked the patience and or time to spend more than a couple of hours with us, so we hired a "real instructor" to take us out for the day (money really well spent). Well, we left CT and moved to wickford on memorial day (no wind at all, brobably a blessing) so we motored all the way. Spent the night in Stonington CT (nice little harbor if there aren't any storms on the way). We then spent the rest of the summer learning to sail on Narragansett (sp?) bay in winds from 5-15kts. By July-August we ventured down past Watch Hill into the "open ocean." Finally on the weekend after columbus day we went to block island with some freinds who really do know how to sail. Words of Caution: 1. The 376 has lots of sail relative to its displacement so this boat is fast and a bit tippy, so learn how to reef and do it at the first sight of being overpowered. 2. Take the classes and hire a personal instructor who can work with you and your kids. (he had our 6 year old take the boat out of the harbor) 3. Learn as much as you can about how the baot works and make repaires yourself. (fuel filter, and pickup tube screens) 4. Don't push it. If the weather is iffy or you are tired stay in port/let the kids play with the dingy.Remember this is suposed to be fun. Funny stories. 1. Moving the boat to wickford on of the kids acidently engaged the auto-pilot. We couldn't figure out what was wrong, but we couldn't move the wheel. (Figured it out after2-3 minutes of mild panic) 2. Took some freinds out and got towed back in (thanks safe-sea) when the screen over the pickup tube became blocked. (Same thing happened when we sent to Block Island, but the other sailers showed us how to clean it) 3. Sailing in the Bay can be a problem because of puffs due to geography. First time we got hit was in 15kts under full sail and we heeled to 40 degrees!!! We now avoid that area (after it happen again) Overall, we are glad to have started out with a boat this size. Just be careful, take instructions and ask questions of everyone (especially on HOW) amd you can do it. Docking hasen't been to big an issue, but our mooring(tied for and aft to pilings in a narrow channel) scares our true sailing freinds. Russell Allie Kat
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I saw you
Russell, I was on the mooring to you aft last Labor Day on a visit to Wickford. I sail a Legend 37. Nobody was on your boat, but my wife and I were admiring it. For a first timer, I give you lots of credit with that mooring arrangement that you have. It's tricky and I'm sure it was scary the first few times you brought it in - especially while you had the finicky engine. I'll watch for "Allie Kat" on the bay this year and keep an eye out for me, too. Paul & Colleen Akers S/V Akers Away
Russell, I was on the mooring to you aft last Labor Day on a visit to Wickford. I sail a Legend 37. Nobody was on your boat, but my wife and I were admiring it. For a first timer, I give you lots of credit with that mooring arrangement that you have. It's tricky and I'm sure it was scary the first few times you brought it in - especially while you had the finicky engine. I'll watch for "Allie Kat" on the bay this year and keep an eye out for me, too. Paul & Colleen Akers S/V Akers Away
Nice choice!
Dear Russell, We did, to a degree, a very similiar undertaking. I have studied (theory) of sailing for a long time. Six yeas ago, we bought a 16 foot Prindle catamaran, which we sailed every chance we could for three years. From the catamaran, we stepped into the 376. WOW! We owned a power boat, an 18' runabout, when our children were young, and I have spent most of my life doing recreational water sports. In a book, it advised that we induce the catamaran to tip over. YES! we did it under a controlled situation. This actually removed the scare of it happening and prepared us for the process of righting the boat, should we accidentally tip it. I have applied this same theory to the ownership of the 376. NO! we didn't capsize her, but you know by now, that you can induce heel. In my opinion, it is best to do this in a controlled fashion preparing the crew for what is to come. This does two things. 1) it prepares everyone for that giant heel. 2) It demonstrates the level of control you have by heading up, if necessary. You can overtrim by setting sails for a close reach and fall off to overheel the boat in lighter than critical wind levels. ( also gives a crew a slant on how well they have stowed gear below
. You sound like you have a good handle on it. Some of the things you described would have taken place if you had bought a 28 footer. It is my feeling that you are in boat that handles your immediate and long term needs. This prevents you from having to trade up later or possibly always wanting to, but never gettting it done. I, of course, agree with prudence in your decision to buy the 376!!!!!!!!!! ) Happy 376'ing Mike D. Media, PA s/v Serenity H376
Dear Russell, We did, to a degree, a very similiar undertaking. I have studied (theory) of sailing for a long time. Six yeas ago, we bought a 16 foot Prindle catamaran, which we sailed every chance we could for three years. From the catamaran, we stepped into the 376. WOW! We owned a power boat, an 18' runabout, when our children were young, and I have spent most of my life doing recreational water sports. In a book, it advised that we induce the catamaran to tip over. YES! we did it under a controlled situation. This actually removed the scare of it happening and prepared us for the process of righting the boat, should we accidentally tip it. I have applied this same theory to the ownership of the 376. NO! we didn't capsize her, but you know by now, that you can induce heel. In my opinion, it is best to do this in a controlled fashion preparing the crew for what is to come. This does two things. 1) it prepares everyone for that giant heel. 2) It demonstrates the level of control you have by heading up, if necessary. You can overtrim by setting sails for a close reach and fall off to overheel the boat in lighter than critical wind levels. ( also gives a crew a slant on how well they have stowed gear below
. You sound like you have a good handle on it. Some of the things you described would have taken place if you had bought a 28 footer. It is my feeling that you are in boat that handles your immediate and long term needs. This prevents you from having to trade up later or possibly always wanting to, but never gettting it done. I, of course, agree with prudence in your decision to buy the 376!!!!!!!!!! ) Happy 376'ing Mike D. Media, PA s/v Serenity H376- Status