Lake Sailing and Gusting Winds

[r.oril]

The winds finally calmed down in Lancaster, Ca. and we headed for Pyramid Lake. We were in the water and sailing in light winds and THEN-----------it got choppie, gusty and dark clouds started to form. I saw some lighting and went forward to lower the Jib when a big gust slammed the main, broke most of the sluggs and put my 26D on its side with me hanging on for dear life. I swear that I was vertical to the water. Luckly my wife is natural sailer and handeled the boat like a pro as I scrambled to drop the main which was only held on the mast with top and bottom slugs. It was exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!! One pull on the Honda 7.5 and we were motoring back to port.

Everything inside the boat on the port side ended up on the starboard side but the only damage was to my knees and undees, LOL!

Next time I will have the Dutchman setup, will reef earlier and head for port sooner.

 

[caguy]

It looks pretty decent there. Its been gloomy all week. This weekend was suppose to be a break, but really no change in the weather. Getting a lot of honey-dos done so it will free me up this summer.
Let us know when you are ready to get it wet with some salty water.

 

[r.oril]

Hey Frank, I was in T.O. today and saw the "Ugly" conditions. Never saw the sun. Still looking forward to a weekend at MDR and ElToritos. For now I have to replace most of the sail slugs and while I am at it, I will set up the sail for quick reefing.
Like you, I will be doing those "honey-dos" Sunday.

 

[caguy]

What broke on your slugs. Mine are made of a plastic coated cylinder with a metal rectangular loop. If yours are all plastic it may be time for an upgrade.
I know the feeling of getting knocked down on a lake. It happened to us a couple of years ago in Lake Tahoe. The boat broached and then went horizontal. I think it recovered long before we did. Couldn't believe how fast it happened. Those canyons really channel the winds. Going up Emerald bay it got really windy we were bare boned with a head wind and struggled to keep the boat heading up the bay.
I got distracted once and the wind caught the freeboard. Couldn't straighten it out and we were headed toward a big bolder. Rather than fight it I turned downwind and did a 360. Once we got to the end of the bay the winds were blocked by the cliffs and made for a great afternoon anchorage. In the ocean the winds are not as focused and seem more predictable.
Looking forward to meeting you and your wife. Hopefully her enthusiasm will rub off on mine.

 

[r.oril]

The slugs are all plastic. Joni is checking the internet for the replacements. She can find the best price most of the time. The PO gave me a couple of the metal rectangular ones. Today I will take the boom out of the boat and remove the broken ones.
Yup, I am a lucky man, the wife is game for most things I like to do.:dance:

 

[caguy]

Check out Ebay, these look similar to the ones that I have. I'm not sure about the size. I think that mine have a metal core to the slug itself. Wait until the final moments to bid. There are other ads ending sooner.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/6-SA...7888413QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

 

[r.oril]

With the Doyle sail, the A018S sail slug(metal/Plastic) and the A030W Shackle screw on(Plastic), I would have a break-away ability on a hard lay down. Joni found the slugs for $1.52 and the $.62 for the Shackle at Downwind Marine. The all plastic is to fat with the shackle so the metal is the best bet.

Just found this site for how to pick the right ones. They recommend that you replace all of the shackles if you can not match the broken one so that all are the same distance from the mast....DOH!

Forgot to say that the slug brokeoff inside the slide leaving just the "D" attached to the shackle.

http://www.sailrite.com/Screw-on-Pl...e3eSc3eMbxuPe34Pa38Ta38RaNj0?sc=2&category=99