When I first starting visiting the northern California Channel Islands a few years ago I'd secure my mainsail under sail cover for the few to several days in the sun swinging at anchor. Obviously, to reduce the amount of exposure to possible sun damage and to look tidy (ship shape to myself and others). One very experienced cruiser of trans-Atlantic experiences told me that I should not do that, particularly there in the CI due to the weather changes that can occur with little notice, if any. That I should be prepared to get underway in quick time and that my mainsail should be available. I took her comments to heart. When anchored out there, the boat is pretty much secured for short notice travel (both sail and power), especially at night. Deck is clear; dinghy engine is raised if not actually pulled from the dink, items in use are tied to the life line or lashed to a secure point, life jackets (vests) in the cockpit, anchor windlass switch on (at night), chart on the nav table, etc. If anchored bow and stern, the stern line can be easily cast off; I have a buoy at hand to tie off to the rode so I might find it again sometime, or someone else will and "send it" back to me. Also, a pair a reading glasses are kept at the cockpit helm station.
Perhaps a bit overboard on the what ifs?
Perhaps a bit overboard on the what ifs?
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