Rudy Rocks

[picklefreek]

So, escaped work early on Friday to get a sail in by myself before the family showed up. Nice and sunny, wind 5 to 7 south/southwest. Clouds came in, lighting in the distance. Figured I would take the sails down and motor home. Went up to do so, in 2 seconds, the winds went to 35 to 40+ knots, north/northeast with 6 foot swells (in a lake!!). I have never seen it change like this in my life. was all I could do to get back to cockpit and try to ride it out (goes to show why all lines should lead aft, eh?). So, just trying to get her into the wind no luck. (I can tell you one thing, you can not roll a 23, no way!!). Anyway, with some help of boaters/marine patrol, all was OK, except the main was torn to shreds (original sail from 1973 that we were going to replace anyway). So, I call Rudy at D and R on Saturday and of course he has one in stock, but only open till noon. Told him what happened, what I needed, but couldn't possibly be there before noon. He said he would wait however long it took me to get there. Was backing sailing that afternoon thanks to him! This guy does so much for all of us and glad to be able to support someone like him!!! THANK YOU RUDY!!! BTW, if you are ever in the Mass area, you should stop by his barn/shop. What a sight to see. I was wiping the droll of my chin by the time I left and know where the family will be doing my Christmas shopping this year!!

 

[Kevin]

double reefed with a storm jib

Hi Chris,I have gained a tremendous amount of respect for Thunderstorms, living on Rainy Lake. I have witnessed similar events when the wind went from 0 to 50 or 60 mph in a matter of seconds. Last year I was out in my Oday 23 and happened to turn around and look over my shoulder. I saw a nasty black cloud headed my way. I dropped the sails and motored back as quickly as possible. I was just tying the boat up when the storm hit me with a wall of wind that the NWS clocked at 50 mph. Incidentally, I was out yesterday in 30 mph winds. Four boats had sailed together about 10 miles up the lake and rafted up in a bay for a picnic. When it was time to come home, the wind had increased to 20 to 30 mph and it was directly on our nose. I thought I could motor out through a narrow channel between some islands, then fall off on a close reach for home. However, the wind and waves were funneling right through those islands. The seas were big enough that my prop wasn't getting a good bite and I was not making headway. I raised the main (double reefed), which helped, but still wasn't enough. Then I added a storm jib and that improved my pointing angle and got my speed up to 4 to 5 knots. I had to tack my way out, but we made it okay. This was the first time I had spray from breaking waves hitting me in the cockpit. Interestingly, two other larger boats (San Juan 24 and Catalina 25) weren't able to make it out and had to retreat and go a different way. I wouldn't normally go out in those conditions, but I learned a lot and gained some more confidence in the Oday 23! If you do your part, she'll get you home safely.