Tough stuff

[J.P. Dyer]

Dousing and Reefing

Dousing the jib (no roller furling) and reefing the main are the most challenging aspects of sailing for me. Singlehanding means that the only "crew" during dousing and reefing are a couple of bungee cords. Sometimes, when wind and current won't cooperate, I have to run back to the tiller from the foredeck mid-dousing or from the gooseneck mid-reefing and make a correction - it can all be a little nerve wracking from time to time. I heave to for reefing when I'm alone; I'd rather do it on a close reach but I can't find bungee cords that are smart enough to hold a course!Docking used to be another adventure so I switched slips. The slip I'm in now is backed by a nice wide fairway and faces southwest, which means I'm docking into the wind about 75% of the time. The rest of the time it's all about going slowly and being willing to stop, reverse and start over if the first approach isn't going to cut it.

 

[Stan Galper]

Backing into the slip with a cross-wind

Backing into the slip, either with a cross-wind or directly off the bow, take a lot of practice with any single screw boat. The trick is to know when you're not going to make it, and to "go around" again and start over. When I need to do that, I tell my marina neighbors that I'm "just practicing takeoffs and landings".

 

[James Williams]

When reefing, heave to

I single hand on SF Bay where putting in a reef and shaking it out is a routine affair. If you heave to, you can easily put in or shake out a reef.

 

[Bob7291]

Toughest of All

is getting that smile off my face after a day (or night) of 10 to 15 kt winds.

 

[Ugadawg]

Most challenging sailing aspect

My greatest challenge is motivating my wife to learn and use maritime/boating terminology. She has this mental block against port and starboard, companionway, below deck, main deck, bow, stern, forward, aft, etc. To her itb is left, right, cabin door opening, downstairs, upstairs, front, back, etc. When I tell her to move the traveler all the way to starboard, let off on the main sheet and loosen the vang a touch, all hell breaks loose. "Why can't you say that in 'normal' language? You talk like that just to make everybody think you're some great sailboat authority." Huh?!

 

[Dan C30]

seems docking is #1

someone once told me (simalar suggested already) that if you come in so slow that everyone on the dock gets bored watching you come in and turns away. you have just about come in at the correct speed not to have any problems.

 

[Ugadawg]

2nd Biggest Challenge - Docking

Docking is my 2nd biggest challenge. I have a 26 with wheel steering and a "Yammerin' Yanmar"one-banger inboard diesel - a challenge in itself at low "no-wake" speed. Neither chocks nor cleats are provided by the marina so the docklines are "permanently" attached to the sides of the slip. I will post a picture soon of how other sailors are coping. Basically, the tie a taut NYLON line to the dock on either of the slip and secure the other ends to an oversized fender that is secured horizontally in the center of the dock at the "front" of the slip. The VEE configured nylon lines guide the bow toward the fender that acts like a protective bumper. The nylon lines have more stretch than polyester and absorb the "shock" of perhaps coming in a little too fast. Plus, nylon is cheaper.

 

[tomk]

Docking

I agree with most of the folks responding to this question. I have a Beneteau 331. I have a mooring, but pulling into the fuel dock is always a challenge. The dock has a fairly narrow approach and successfully getting there never fails to get the adrenaline pumping. I haven't hit anything yet, but the summer has a long way to go before it is over. I do subscribe to the "go slow" method. At least if I do hit something it will minimize damage. I don't burn much fuel, but I do need to go there to pump out the holding tank. Also, having an audience does put the pressure on. Thank goodness sailing is such a blast that it makes up for everything else!

 

[SteveL]

Tough areas in sailing

I would have to state, trimming the sails correctly in gusty winds and docking in cross winds and current and close quarters with other boats at the dock. But lately, I've been getting pretty good at the docking aspect, I now know when to cut the engine, its that getting between other boats at the dock that still has me a bit uneasy. This may be due to the reverse or nonreverse action on the boat. As for the sail trim in gusty winds, There is still a little panic when the boats heels past 30 degrees. I know I should release the main, but at times I just freeze.

 

[Mark15145]

Slowly and Majestically

In racing, copy the Captains who are successful.In docking, copy the Captains who are successful.The Captain who sails the most from my dock has a very similar set up to the one "Ugadawg" describes. After watching him dock single handed in a variety of conditions, I went to West Marine.I now have 'rollers' on the outer corners, and a fender secured horizontally near the front of my slip with guide lines tied in a triangular configuration. I also suscribe to the 'Phil Howe' docking phylosophy. A sailboat should dock Slowly and Majestically Docking, extreme weather, and fog, still top my list as the biggest addrenalin generators.

 

[Butch23081]

Spectator sport?

We'll know that sailing has really been 'discovered' when we hear the kids exclaim: "Hey, let's go down to the docks and watch the sailboats come into their slips!" Might even compete with 'cruising the mall', or the 'extreme' sports that seem to enthrall the younger generation. Might even stimulate them to attempt sailing.... Yep, docking is THE challenge that presents a new experience and stress everytime.

 

[Darren9582]

Yes, but which spectator sport?

Are they there to view the majestic sailboats or is crashing into the docks the actual sport that they want to see?

 

[Ramblin Rod]

Turn Around Day

Whenever we head out in our boat on a grand loop, be it a weekend or severla week vacation, there is a scheduled day to turn around and head back.Everytime, we debate whether we really will or just keep going.Presently family obligations always force us to turn around.I can't wait for the day when we finally decide to just keep going.So for us, the hardest thing about sailing, is heading for home.

 

[Butch23081]

Which 'spectator sport'?

Why do people watch football, hockey, car racing.....THE POTENTIAL CONTACT that is inccured ! What might go thru a persons mind when they see the difficulty in docking a boat? "I think I could do that better." Once on a boat, the bug has bitten ! And one thing leads to another... And a person ceases to be a 'spectator' and becomes a participant !!

 

[Eric Hartsough]

Backing into the slip

We just recently went from a Hunter 26 to a Hunter 280. Going from the outboard to the inboard has made it harder to back into the slip. The outboard made it a lot easer to direct the stern yet with the fixed inboard, I have not been able to back in smoothly. We prefer to back in so as to take advantage of the swim platform on the Hunter 280 as to getting on and off.

 

[Rich18882]

Understanding the hardware (and software!)

I don't think others have mentioned this yet, but as a novice sailor moving up from a basic tiller-controlled outboard-auxiliary boat to a more sophisticated wheel-steering diesel-auxiliary boat, I'm just blown away by the mechanical detail required to decide whether the boat is in safe condition and ready to use. Knowing my way around automobiles has not helped me much in understanding the electrical systems, plumbing system, instrument systems, propane system, and rigging layouts which are in my fairly straightforward 28 ft. sloop. The fact that the prior owners are unavailable makes it impossible to determine what maintenance was kept up over the years. I feel bogged down in detail that could take years and dollars to sort out. I like the boat, but there's a learning curve to understanding the equipment that is different from the learning curve of using the boat for sailing.

 

[Stu Jackson]

J. P. Dyer writes:

"Dousing the jib (no roller furling) and reefing the main are the most challenging aspects"JPAn easy way to take down the jib is to rig a downhaul line and then simply heave to FROM a port tack. The jib is backwinded, and the downhaul will land it right on the deck.Reefing a main is also easy. There was a long thread about this a few months ago. Two schools of thought: heave to or reef going upwind under the jib and let the mainsheet out. Both work in differing wind conditions and different boats.My hardest thing is to get sailing more often. We're usually out at least once a week, and are looking forward to a one and a half week cruise next month.StuStu

 

[lingerfeltja]

The tough stuff

I have a fast F235 but consistently sail in the back of the pack when the wind is light. I cannot seem to trim the sails optimally for the conditions. Heavy air - don't be in the way! It is really frustrating as summer winds are usually light in the evenings when races are held. Even my new sails don'y help much - I think the problem is on the tiller (my hand).

 

[Bruce21545]

Docking Solo

I feel fairly comfortable sailing my 28 singlehandedly, but find it continues to be a real challenge to bring her back to the dock alone, particularly when I've got cross wind out of the northeast which pushes her away from the dock. Luckily for me, I usually get a hand from some good Samaritan on land as I approach. The positive side of this is that I really feel I've sharpened my docking skills because of this.

 

[David22573]

Sailing my Javelin in gusty winds

I started out on a Wildflower, sloop-rigged, very light, made of foam covered with a plastic skin, beamy, and about 12.5 ft. and I could sail in fairly high winds (whitecaps on the lake I sail on) and manage gusts without dumping. I love my so much more seaworthy and elegant Javelin, but twice when sailing solo,I have had gusts turn me over. I can right it quickly, but the stuff in the boat box and my cushions float away by the time I'm sailing again, and when I am carrying my 3 HP Johnson, it is a major pain to dry it out and get it running again. I wish the swing keel were heavier. When I have someone along, it's no problem because we can redistribute weight, but I am getting very gunshy about sailing solo in all but fairly light winds because I don't want to dunk my motor. Otherwise, I love the boat. I don't use a spinnaker, and the sails are original Neil Prydes. I haven't tried shortening the sail; would that help significantly? Any advice would be helpful to keep me sailing when there are whitecaps on the lake,without high anxiety!