I had decided to go out overnight earlier this week. I asked Rob if he would buddy boat with me and all was a go. We spent a couple days this week fixing my electrical system (I'm MUCH more confindent about it & my knowledge about it now) and spent Thursday cleaning up the mess. By Friday I was ready to go. Uh oh. I forgot that I had planned a dinner with a friend for Friday night. I had already rescheduled 3 times and couldn't back out of it again since it was a "LaDonna Appreciation Dinner"! It was supposed to have been a birthday dinner but since it's only 2 months late, it's reason for happening had to be altered. So Rob & I made plans to leave after the dinner (around 8). After work (12:30), I headed down to the boat, picked up Rob & did a bunch of running around. He was trying to install a new water pump but couldn't get the pulley off the old one. We went to the local Isuzu place & they wanted almost $200 JUST for the pulley! The owner came in and just about threw a fit at the price Isuzu wanted. "They're just trying to soak you!" He suggested a couple of places but no immediate luck & we were in a hurry. Went grocery shopping, picked up his son & friend, dropped by my house to pack food, etc & back to the boat. I had just enough time to fill the water tank and put all the food away before leaving for Pam's. Had a nice dinner, tried to relax but managed to skip out by 8. Got to the boat & Rob was already gone. I quickly (but carefully) got everything ready, included extra clothes in the cockpit in case it got chilly so I wouldn't have to go below. It must have been about 8:30 by the time I left the slip. I had contacted Rob before leaving so I knew the approximate destination - about 7 (?) miles away. Doesn't seem too far but dark was going to fall before I got to the spot and I was planning on anchoring. I was a little concerned but figured if I had any problems, I could just raft up to Rob. The channel out into the river has some bad ass currents so the tiller pilot was useless till I got out on the river proper. I didn't want to raise sails till I got out there anyway cuz there was a good trickle of boats coming back in from racing. I waited until everything was clear for a good ways, attached "Del" & raised sail. Ooops! Forgot the winch handles! No biggie, they're within grabbing distance. It took a little longer than normal but all went smoothly. Thankfully, we had a nice northwesterly blowing that shot me upriver like a bullet. Beautiful beam reach, no tacking. I sat there listening to Jimmy thinking "I'm alone!" Finally, at bouy 18 (about 2+ miles from my destination) the wind pooped out. Perfect timing, here comes the Columbia Queen (HUGE stern wheeler tourist yacht)! I had already avoided a barge and the Lewis & Clark tour yacht. So I just tacked in a circle, she passed & I dropped sail. I waited until after passing under the I205 bridge before connecting "Del" back up cuz the current is weird there as well. Although "Del" didn't like working while under sail, motoring at low speed is definitely his gig. I had to unhank the 170 genny I had been flying to drop anchor and then generally put the boat away. By this time it was pretty dark and the area where we were anchoring is deceptive in its proximity to shore. I called Rob & figured out where they were and where I needed to be. I don't have a depthsounder (I'm installing that next week!) so I just had to go in by feel. I knew that it was deep WAY up to shore so I nudged in a little closer to shore than Rob (I have less anchor line). Being so dark, it was very difficult to get a bearing from shore. I had to finally do it by finding a distinctive break in the treeline. I slowly and carefully walked forward and started to drop anchor. Unfortunately, the hause pipe is pretty small (no "real" anchor locker) and the chain got caught up before it even hit ground. I cursed and slowly walked back to the cockpit, motored forward again, went below, cleared the blockage, went back, motored forward again (quite a current), slowly walked BACK up & began dropping. Worked great until the RODE got tangled below! This time I flew below pulled it free & continued the process. I played out about 2:1, tied it off, backed down & hooked that mother up but good. Finally ended up with about 5:1 scope. But dang! The wind was piping up right up my butt, blowing me over the anchor and walking me around. Threw out a couple of drogues & I was good to go. And to think I almost chickened out & rafted up to Rob!!! I finished putting the boat away while Rob rowed over. Went over to his boat for dinner (at 10:30!), chatted & had a generally good night. By 12:30, I was done. I rowed back over to my boat, tied off the dink, checked the anchor and my bearings and went to bed. My first night solo at anchor! Needless to say, I didn't get a lot of sleep. I got up 3 times to make sure I wasn't drifting and slept pretty fitfully the rest of the night. I woke up bright & early knowing that the boys wouldn't be up for another couple of hours. I read, checked the anchor, washed up, ate a little something to tide me over & finally put in the cinnamon rolls to bake. I figured I'd need the heat for the morning but it was actually quite warm by the time I got up. Finally around 10, I decided that if they weren't up by now, too bad. Rowed over with piping hot cinnamon rolls and ate like a queen. Rob dropped me back off while he went for his morning row and I just sat around wondering at how great it was to have done this alone. We pretty much just sat around most of the day, dealing with the swells from passing boats. Took a nap, the boys watched a movie and around 4 we were ready to head home. They sailed off the hook & I manhandled mine with the engine running. Let me tell you, I had the sucker STUCK! I motored over it a little to try to break it free - no luck. I just had to keep tugging till it finally freed itself. I decided to wait to raise sail till I got past the bridge again so I let "Del" do the navigating while I got the sails ready. Just past the bridge, I let fly. This time the wind was right out of the west. Nice - a beat. Luckily, it was only blowing about 12-15. Tacking was easy with the light winds (I changed out to my 130 in anticipation). Having a great time, actually keeping up with Rob pretty well, until...swhoooosht! That's the sound of going aground in sand! Uh oh. I dropped sail & Rob called. "Are you aground?" yup. He motored back while I tried a couple of things. Raised the main, sheeted it over & tried to get a heel going. No luck. Tried rocking the boat. It worked just a little, not enough to get any ground. The rudder was still free so I tried backing out. I wasn't moving! So I just enjoyed the sun till they arrived. Rob went aground just aft of me (on purpose), I threw them a line & he pulled me off in about 5 minutes. So much for a nice sail home! Eh, the wind had died by then anyway. So on went "Del" & I got the boat ready for my solo docking. YEEKS! We hadn't had time to practice so I was coming in kinda cold. I putted along at a really slow speed so they could get in & tied up before coming to help me. I thought I'd just float around awhile to give them extra time but thought I'd better check my fuel. Uh oh. I'd better get back in. Trying to back off my grounding had sucked a lot of gas - I was almost full before I left! Our moorage is also a floating home moorage. The docks are parallel so no head in docking. I have to round a corner & my "slip" is behind a huge floating home so I'm pretty much blind coming back in. Rob went around to guide me in & came running over telling me Wizard was on his way out. Of course Wizard just happens to be the biggest boat back there! He very kindly waited for me to come in but it screwed up my docking practice cuz I had to slide in the way I normally do. I wanted to try out a new way of coming into my slip on my own but no such luck. It was probably for the best anyway cuz I was exhausted!. I felt very comfortable the whole time, just took everything slowly and wore my PFD at all times. And so ends my first solo trip! I only broke a lamp chimney and a fingernail. AND I have now been initiated into the many, the ashamed, the ran-agrounders! LaDonna
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Great adventure
LaDonna, Great job. My first night at anchor some years ago also caused a sleepless night. I think I got about 20 minutes max at one one point. When I just about induced a heart attack pulling the anchor up the next morning I realized that the lack of sleep was misplaced. Sleep better now, but still not the same as at home in bed...but that is the way it should be on a sailboat. Sounds like the addition of a depth sounder and a good chart will resolve the rest of the issues. What a great story...this gets shared with my significant other as she is just starting out. Shows what you can do if you take it methodically and thoughtfully. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije)
LaDonna, Great job. My first night at anchor some years ago also caused a sleepless night. I think I got about 20 minutes max at one one point. When I just about induced a heart attack pulling the anchor up the next morning I realized that the lack of sleep was misplaced. Sleep better now, but still not the same as at home in bed...but that is the way it should be on a sailboat. Sounds like the addition of a depth sounder and a good chart will resolve the rest of the issues. What a great story...this gets shared with my significant other as she is just starting out. Shows what you can do if you take it methodically and thoughtfully. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije)
Anchoring
Flake the anchor line out on the deck before dropping anchor, so that it will run free.
Flake the anchor line out on the deck before dropping anchor, so that it will run free.
Welcome to the Club
of 'ran-agrounders'. Great story, thanks for sharing your cruise with us. We were up in Worton Creek on the Chesapeake this weekend making tracks in the mud.
of 'ran-agrounders'. Great story, thanks for sharing your cruise with us. We were up in Worton Creek on the Chesapeake this weekend making tracks in the mud.
Congratulations!
That first solo overnighter always gives you a sense of accomplishment! I sailed a C25 for a year on the Potomac out of Washington, D.C. and mine was a 2-night cruise downriver -- gave me a lot more confidence in handling the boat. When I was a river sailer, all the "old hands" told me there were only 2 types of sailers -- those who'd been aground, and those who lied about it! My first experience aground was the "maiden voyage" of the C25 with my fiance -- we grounded within sight of the marina and stayed in the mud for 12 hours before we floated off, at midnight! Maybe I'll write that one up some time! But there is no "shame" in any lesson we learn from (plus we got married AND bought a bigger boat -- that says a lot too!). I always enjoy your contibutions to the site! Mike Turner S/V Amity (C30) Long Beach, CA
That first solo overnighter always gives you a sense of accomplishment! I sailed a C25 for a year on the Potomac out of Washington, D.C. and mine was a 2-night cruise downriver -- gave me a lot more confidence in handling the boat. When I was a river sailer, all the "old hands" told me there were only 2 types of sailers -- those who'd been aground, and those who lied about it! My first experience aground was the "maiden voyage" of the C25 with my fiance -- we grounded within sight of the marina and stayed in the mud for 12 hours before we floated off, at midnight! Maybe I'll write that one up some time! But there is no "shame" in any lesson we learn from (plus we got married AND bought a bigger boat -- that says a lot too!). I always enjoy your contibutions to the site! Mike Turner S/V Amity (C30) Long Beach, CA
Nice story, LaDonna.
It sure is fun going through all the adventures even if you don't end up far from home. Your courage is admirable. You'll love having a depth sounder. I can't imagine how many times that I would have been aground without one. Fair winds and sandy bottoms, Joe
It sure is fun going through all the adventures even if you don't end up far from home. Your courage is admirable. You'll love having a depth sounder. I can't imagine how many times that I would have been aground without one. Fair winds and sandy bottoms, Joe
yawn
could you possibly write a story about bloboating without having a fit about the price of something...all you cheap bloboaters are the same....really too bad
could you possibly write a story about bloboating without having a fit about the price of something...all you cheap bloboaters are the same....really too bad
Just like too many powerboaters...
He assumes that we care about his opinion. Luckily, unlike his wake and generator, we can simply click on by it.
He assumes that we care about his opinion. Luckily, unlike his wake and generator, we can simply click on by it.
And I'll bet he also assumes
...his post is still online. Great story, LaDonna, and sorry about the brief wierdo flame. ph.
...his post is still online. Great story, LaDonna, and sorry about the brief wierdo flame. ph.
Say what?
I read LaDonna's post late Monday night and then Don's post tonight (Tues) and thought, "What is he talking about?" Then I read Phil's post and understood. Just as well that I missed the flamer. Thanks for taking the time to share the great story with us, LaDonna and thanks to you Phil for taking the time to do such a good job with the website. It makes all the good contributions possible and the bad ones nearly invisible. Fair Winds, Joe C. in NC
I read LaDonna's post late Monday night and then Don's post tonight (Tues) and thought, "What is he talking about?" Then I read Phil's post and understood. Just as well that I missed the flamer. Thanks for taking the time to share the great story with us, LaDonna and thanks to you Phil for taking the time to do such a good job with the website. It makes all the good contributions possible and the bad ones nearly invisible. Fair Winds, Joe C. in NC
Good Going, LaDonna!
Good story about your adventure! You should rightfully feel proud of successfully completing your solo! Phil, nice save!
Dick Vance H-25.5 "Honey Bear"
Good story about your adventure! You should rightfully feel proud of successfully completing your solo! Phil, nice save!
Dick Vance H-25.5 "Honey Bear"Just a singed eyebrow
That flame just singed an eyebrow, didn't burn one little bit. Thanks for all the support! LaDonna
That flame just singed an eyebrow, didn't burn one little bit. Thanks for all the support! LaDonna
Way to Go LaDonna!
Hey LaDonna: Your story put a smile on my face. I'm glad you accomplished this for yourself. You sound like you're ready to go out again. Handling the anchor is the worst though. I don't think I'll ever get very good at that. It's a two person job. Look forward to more stories. Melody
Hey LaDonna: Your story put a smile on my face. I'm glad you accomplished this for yourself. You sound like you're ready to go out again. Handling the anchor is the worst though. I don't think I'll ever get very good at that. It's a two person job. Look forward to more stories. Melody
loved your story !!!
There's nothing like a solo overnight to get your confidence up. I was feeling pretty confident going into a cove on the back side of Catalina one moonless night. My depth gauge read 40 feet and I was 200 yards from shore when all of a sudden I smashed into a rock that was 3 feet below the surface. Put a huge dent into my lead keel but no holes in the hull thankfully. I anchored then dove under with a flashlight to assess the damage. The next morning I checked my charts and found the rock clearly marked with a danger note next to it. The moral for a dummy like me is that a depth gauge is good but you really need to study your charts and have a GPS that tells you exactly where you are.
There's nothing like a solo overnight to get your confidence up. I was feeling pretty confident going into a cove on the back side of Catalina one moonless night. My depth gauge read 40 feet and I was 200 yards from shore when all of a sudden I smashed into a rock that was 3 feet below the surface. Put a huge dent into my lead keel but no holes in the hull thankfully. I anchored then dove under with a flashlight to assess the damage. The next morning I checked my charts and found the rock clearly marked with a danger note next to it. The moral for a dummy like me is that a depth gauge is good but you really need to study your charts and have a GPS that tells you exactly where you are.
Agrounding and Anchoring Angst
LaDonna, Great story. I still find it hard to sleep soundly when anchored, even though I have an anchor alarm. As for agrounding, I've been there plenty of times, WITH a depth sounder. I've been assisted twice in getting freed, once by the owner of the charter company, who responded to our radio call in a Zodiac. We (six of us) rolled our eyes, as a good Samaritan powerboater had already pulled a cleat out of his transom trying to help free our chartered Hunter 29.5. How was a Zodiac going to help? He had us out in 10 minutes! He put a line on our main halyard, and used his little Zodiac to heel us over enough to get the 29.5's wing keel out of the mud, while we used the engine to back out of the muck. Slick. I'm not sure I would bend my own mast that way, but it worked. Good luck in your future sailing adventures. Eric Lorgus
LaDonna, Great story. I still find it hard to sleep soundly when anchored, even though I have an anchor alarm. As for agrounding, I've been there plenty of times, WITH a depth sounder. I've been assisted twice in getting freed, once by the owner of the charter company, who responded to our radio call in a Zodiac. We (six of us) rolled our eyes, as a good Samaritan powerboater had already pulled a cleat out of his transom trying to help free our chartered Hunter 29.5. How was a Zodiac going to help? He had us out in 10 minutes! He put a line on our main halyard, and used his little Zodiac to heel us over enough to get the 29.5's wing keel out of the mud, while we used the engine to back out of the muck. Slick. I'm not sure I would bend my own mast that way, but it worked. Good luck in your future sailing adventures. Eric Lorgus
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