second sail

[Jim Hughes]

My boy and I took the boat out for our first sail.We're new to sailing (he's 19 and I'm 55) We were out for about 6hrs. and had a great time.The following weekend,I asked my girlfriend if she'd like to go to the lake to go sailing.Mind you,this is my second time out.We get everything rigged and take off from the dock,at which time I'm trying to get the sails up,in a strong breeze.Finally we get settled in and she starts to enjoy it some,as she's getting use to the boats heeling.We're out for a couple of hours and are heading toward the marina, as I'm going to leave the boat in a slip for a month,rather then trailer it (less set up time) We're half a mile from the marina and the wind decides to start blowing a lot harder,we're heeling a lot now and I'm trying to control the main and the jib,we get knocked down.The lakes pouring into the cockpit,the sails get rid of the wind and we come right back up.I now realize that I'm in over my head.I'm now yelling at her to keep the boat into the wind as I struggle to get the sails down,which finaly happens and we can start to breath again.We motor into the marina,thinking the worst is over,when our trusty outboard stops.We're within 30ft.of the slip and the winds blowing us sideways between the other boats.I'm pulling the rope, hoping the motor will start(never any problem before) all the time we're being blown towards the end of the slips.I pull the choke out,pull the rope and the motor starts.I grab the handle,spin the motor and the boat turns in its own length(I guess because of the keel hanging) but at this point,I didn't care,it just did.We motored the 40ft. back to the slip,got her in and tied up.My girlfriend was so shook up she could'nt hardly walk. I've sailed 5 or 6 times after this and have a better understanding of the boat and the strength of the wind.I'm hoping my girlfriend will sometime go sailing with me again.To tell you the truth, I almost thought of giving up sailing,there just seemed to be so much to do.I've had ski boats for 13yrs.and never thought there was so much involved to a sailboat.I'm glad that I didn't give it up,as there's a lot of enjoyment in sailing. PS. The reason the motor stopped,we were out of gas.I guess pulling the choke out must have sucked the very last drop, lucky for us.

 

[Dennis]

Don't give it up!

Dont give it up because of one bad day! Every time out is a lesson, and a time to learn and perfect your skills!

 

[Jim Hughes]

thanks

Thanks for your concern.Once you get through something like that,it becomes an adventure.I've sailed with just the jib,with just the main and with both. I'm getting a better understanding now.I'm not planning on giving up. Everything's starting to fall in place. I thought it was fit for funny stories,as I can now laugh about it. Next spring I'll be running my halyards and boom vang lines back to the cockpit.Happy sailing.

 

[Scott Mathey]

Hang in there, adventure is worth it

Hang in there, The lake where I sail us a very mean teacher as well. It took a few years to overcome all it would throw at us. The wind is very ghusty and unpredictable here. The things that have been the best help is a roller furling for the jib, or a down haul so you can reduce or drop jib sail from the cockpit. And learning mainsail trim. Start off with main reefed and try flattening it out for high winds.When it is flattend out it will spill wind easier rather than cup it and pull you over. Once this year Kathy, my wife, was inside the boat when we were rounding a corner and got hit from a ghust we were knocked over to the point of the boat rounding up on it's own. By the look on Kathys face when she walked up through the companion way I thought this might be an overboard drill featuring me. She said I just looked down into the lake through the windows!!! don't ever do that again, though she still loves sailing and since then has become a pretty good sailor herself. It is an adventure every time out and the better you get at it the more safe, fun and enjoyable it becomes.

 

[Scott Mathey]

Where

Jim, another question Where do you sail around Bend? We will be moving to Brookings within 16 months. Scott and Kathy

 

[Jim Hughes]

lakes

Scott,that adventure took place at Prineville Reservoir.I like it because the waters warmer than other lakes( swimming) Most take their sailboats to Elk Lake.It's a lot smaller.There's about 15 lakes within an hours drive,some large,some small.It looks like you might take up saltwater sailing since your moving to Brookings.Happy sailing. Keep us posted.