Painful First Sail of the Season

[entmejia]

So a painful first sail of the season. The weather seemed nice for a day sail, and the spouse was willing to go. On no kidding the very first tack, I forgot to announce it, and the spouse gets hit in the face with the main sheet rigging as the boom comes around. So, unnoticed by me, she puts out her hand to push it off her face, and I haul in the mainsheet, promptly giving her a rope burn. This led to a brief one-side discussion during which I wisely decided to remain quiet. The rest of the sailing was uneventful until we docked, and the sky literally open up and drenched us. So, lessons learned for me:
1. Check the weather in detail.
2. Review the basics, especially safety.
3. Passengers sit behind the boom arc including mainsheet.
On the plus side, the Admiral is still willing to go sailing, hopefully that means with me.

 

[Jackdaw]

So a painful first sail of the season. The weather seemed nice for a day sail, and the spouse was willing to go. On no kidding the very first tack, I forgot to announce it, and the spouse gets hit in the face with the main sheet rigging as the boom comes around. So, unnoticed by me, she puts out her hand to push it off her face, and I haul in the mainsheet, promptly giving her a rope burn. This led to a brief one-side discussion during which I wisely decided to remain quiet. The rest of the sailing was uneventful until we docked, and the sky literally open up and drenched us. So, lessons learned for me:
1. Check the weather in detail.
2. Review the basics, especially safety.
3. Passengers sit behind the boom arc including mainsheet.
On the plus side, the Admiral is still willing to go sailing, hopefully that means with me.

My nominee for 'best post of the year'.

 

[woodster]

My nominee for 'best post of the year'.

better yet best wife of the year lol

 

[jwing]

I'm in the habit of always announcing tacks and jibes and asking for affirmation, even when sailing solo. That just about eliminates the possibility of me forgetting to when I have a guest.

When I do have crew, I always wait for them to affirm that they are ready for the upcoming maneuver. For some guests, their actions need to be explained for every tack. I don't mind. I do mind their heads getting in the way of my boom.

 

[Bill Roosa]

So jwing, when you are solo who answers? Little scitzo going on in there maybe?
;-)

 

[Benny17441]

By remaining quiet you showed great mariner skills. Don't beat yourself up if she failed to duck. That first sail of the season is usually a shakedown outing to get Captain and Crew in sync. But you are the Captain and must take responsibility for all that happens aboard so it was wise to remain quiet. That first outing after the off season is a time to be extra careful, do things slowly and verbally communicate often. Nothing like a rope burn to get you up to speed, sorry she was the recipient and you should be, you are the Captain. We have all been there and I have the rope burn marks to prove it; luckily it did not involve the Admiral. The fact she is willing to sail again means she understands it was not entirely your fault but, she will never admit to it and will milk it for years to come.

 

[Kings Gambit]

So a painful first sail of the season. The weather seemed nice for a day sail, and the spouse was willing to go. On no kidding the very first tack, I forgot to announce it, and the spouse gets hit in the face with the main sheet rigging as the boom comes around. So, unnoticed by me, she puts out her hand to push it off her face, and I haul in the mainsheet, promptly giving her a rope burn. This led to a brief one-sided discussion during which I wisely decided to remain quiet. The rest of the sailing was uneventful until we docked, and the sky literally open up and drenched us. So, lessons learned for me:

We see that at least 75% of sailboats anchored or sailing near us during random outings to our venues have either a single guy, or a couple of guys, aboard. We meet few sailing couples by comparison. We hear, "My wife doesn't like sailing." or "My wife won't go sailing with me." I just heard one today about a wife who, after living w/hubby on a 30-footer for THREE years, refuses to come back for sailing or otherwise. What self-respecting girl wants to be crew for a Captain Clueless who tacks w/o warning and oblivious that she's tangled in the sheet before hauling it in, and then docks the boat in a rain squall that he, Captain Clueless, had no idea was on its way!

 

[topcat0399]

So jwing, when you are solo who answers? Little scitzo going on in there maybe?
;-)

A sailor that doesn't have a constant dialogue with himself is likely a menace.

 

[topcat0399]

So a painful first sail of the season. The weather seemed nice for a day sail, and the spouse was willing to go. On no kidding the very first tack, I forgot to announce it, and the spouse gets hit in the face with the main sheet rigging as the boom comes around. So, unnoticed by me, she puts out her hand to push it off her face, and I haul in the mainsheet, promptly giving her a rope burn. This led to a brief one-side discussion during which I wisely decided to remain quiet. The rest of the sailing was uneventful until we docked, and the sky literally open up and drenched us. So, lessons learned for me:
1. Check the weather in detail.
2. Review the basics, especially safety.
3. Passengers sit behind the boom arc including mainsheet.
On the plus side, the Admiral is still willing to go sailing, hopefully that means with me.

Chalk it all up to experience and adventure.

Our first year the Admiral once gibed and pinned me by the throat with the main-sheet tackle to the coach house. Since I managed to live I still sail with her....