Just a note of thanks!!!

[Larry Wilson]

Don,I just got back from two days of great sailing on the Rappahannock River and the Chesapeake Bay. It was "great" because of this forum. I've been reading the posts for the past few weeks, and taking notes. Yesterday, there was fairly good wind, in the 8 knot range, so no special tactics were needed for a good sail. But today, the wind was really light, 1 to 3 knots, and most of the other boats were either motoring, or just sitting there, waiting for the wind to pick up. I was sailing a Columbia 8.7, not a boat known for it's light wind ability. In fact, it tends to be a tank, in winds under 8 knots. But with the info I've gleaned from this group, I was able to maintain 2 to 5 knots, in less than 5 knots of wind and at times, 2 1/2 to 3 knots, in 1 knot of apparent wind. Oh, I didn't mention, I was by myself, and the boat isn't set up for single handing. I did ALOT of tacking and gibing, but I was SAILING, while lighter wind boats were motoring back to their slips in shame. So, to Don and all of the contributors to this forum, I say THANKYOU!!! And keep the great advice coming. Larry WilsonRichmond,Va.

 

[Don Guillette]

Thanks Mate!!

Larry: Well, you made my day and probably some of the other regular contributors on this list as well. Thanks for taking the time to thank us. I just wish there was some way to make all the beginner to intermediate sail boat owners worldwide aware of this forum. I don't know how you guys feel but when I hit a golf ball, base ball, tennis ball or kick a soccer ball and you get that nice "smack", its a trip. All it takes is an accurate and simple conception of what to do. Same with sailing - when you look up at those sails and they not only look great but you know you have trimmed them to the best of your ability (because you know what you are doing)and they are powering your little beauty to 100% of what she wants to give you it's a BIG TRIP. As most of you who follow this forum know, it sure ain't rocket science to sail a boat. Anyone who can read and follow some simple steps can get excellent performance out of their boat. Its all in knowing what your looking at and determing the proper trim for your point of sail and wind condition. It is so easy I've condensed it down to 3 pages on my SAIL TRIM CHART. Actually, there are 4 pages. The 4th page is a trouble shooting page. I included the 4th page for the mates who did not pay attention to the first 3 pages!! After a very short time using the chart a funny thing happens - you find that you don't need it any more because you understand what settings are needed for your point of sail and wind condition!! The Sail Trim Chart is a little technical but the THE SAIL TRIM USERS GUIDE will quicky clear up any questions you might have.

 

[Didereaux]

C'mon Don!

Jeez! Don. Yes, your books and chart are great, no one I am aware faults them. Also even better is your advice in this forum...BUT for cryin' out loud is it absolutely necessary to do a damned advertisement every single post?Hey, this isn't a flame, honest, just a curmudgeonly heads up?

 

[Larry Wilson]

Blatant self promotion

Don,Personally, I have no problem with you promoting your book and sail trim guide.My guess is that as fine a fellow as you are, the reason you participate in the forum is to sell them. Promote all you want, just keep the advice coming. Larry Wilson

 

[Wayne]

Promote away

Don Sell it when you can Don. just keep the freebies coming through occasionally. Have you broken 90 yet???

 

[Jim Seamans]

Don, drove the wife crazy on Sunday

Winds had been real nice about 8-10kts the boat was humming. And of course after a couple of hours of this it went to 3kts or less. So I started trimming, trimming trying this trying that, trimming some more, referring to the your chart timming timming.Damn I'm getting about 2kts boat speed here. About that time my wife started getting mad, all this trimming was interfering with her reading.Then a beatiful thing happened about 5 butterfiles came along and started ghosting in our wind shadow, sometimes landing on the boat to take a rest. This lasted about 15 mins then everyone took off headed south. I remember golf, just loved it when I broke 100 for 9 holes.JimS/V Java

 

[Don Guillette]

C'mon Don

Didereaux: Here's a flash for you - when the commercials stop that's the day I close this forum. What makes the time and effort I spend daily on this forum all worthwhile is I like helping sailors but MAINLY I like selling my books and charts. I receive nothing in the way of money from Sailboatowners.com for my efforts here. So, my friend you can either put up with my occassional commercials or tune out.Actually, some times I start to get tired almost to the point of burn out(I've been doing this almost daily for about 4 years - even while on vacation), especially when I receive posts like yours I wonder if it is worth it. I answer the same sail trim questions over and over and over again. It goes with the turf of this forum but almost every question I've ever received here is answered in my book and chart. Thanks for the opportunity to shoot out another commercial!!

 

[Don Guillette]

Promote away

Wayne: Nope, I have not broken 90 yet but I'm going to!! My clubs are now at Lake Havasu, AZ where we will be going shortly to stay while our house in Tucson is being built. The Tucson complex has 3 golf courses and I don't want to embarres myself so I'm going to play twice a week at Havasu. I've joined a seniors mens golf club and I've even bought a golf cart!! To me, golf is a lot like what I went through to learn how to sail. I had to put a lot of effort into sail trim to get to the point where I am pretty good at it. As I did with sail trim, I know the technique it takes to hit the ball and now all I have to do is perfect it. I'm averaging about 2.5 putts or less per 18 holes and my approaches are improving, way beyond what they were mainly because there is a golf course about 1/2 mile from my Ca home and I go to the chipping and putting green at least 4 times a week for about 30 to 45 minutes. It is very relaxing. I'm a pretty good tennis player (that game came easy to me) but golf has been a struggle. Last week at Havasu, I got my first eagle ever on a 225 yd hole. I could not really see the hole so I was not sure where the ball went. I could not believe it when I saw the ball sitting about 2' from the cup. I was so nervous I almost blew the putt.

 

[Wayne]

Right on Don

Don Your practising the right shots. Your short game is where most golfers fall down. 45 putts is not good, 36 should be your target.Good luckWayne

 

[Jim Seamans]

Eagle ??

Isn't that where a big bird comes down and grabs your ball and takes off with it? How do you explain that one on the score card....Jim

 

[Don Guillette]

45 putts (Wayne)

Wayne: I know this is a sail trim forum and I can't think of a connection to putting but oh well. I used to average 4 putts. Getting to 3 was pretty easy. All it took was a lot of practice. Getting below 3 has been a bear. I really don't have a lot of trouble getting near the green and getting on the green but I choke up with the putt. My problem is I'm thinking about the possable score for the hole instead of concentrating on the stroke and that is when it goes bad for me. On a long putt I can get within say 6'to 10' but half the time it takes 2 strokes to get in from there. I miss the easiest shots by inches. My practice sessions are now in that 6'to 10' area. I'm concentrating on keeping very still and only moving my arms in a pendelum motion. I know how to do it but I can't make it happen as consistently as I want.Wayne, last week I was in Tucson and while having lunch at the golf course I watched a lady practice putting. She had a bunch of balls in that 6' to 10' range and she did not miss one putt. Man, was she deadly. I thought if she can do it so can I. I talked to her later and she told me she was part of a group in our community (Saddlebrooke - Tucson) that holds putting competition. I don't think I'm ready to join that group - yet.