uh.. the son is away.. I tried a solo today

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Denise, H23

this morning, I went out with he main reefed and the genoa rolled in to about the size as the original jib. I think I did quite OK! (encouragement would be appropiate here ;D ) . Wind was about 10-15 mph from the sw which means it's coming right up river here. The new lewmar traveler works great! I can come about in about 1/2 a min and not loose too much momentum. After that broach about a week ago I'm feeling a tad nervous and must get over it! I like sailing too much! a good tack on the Delaware river is only about a 1/2 a mile if one is lucky. sometimes with a due east or west wind we can run a reach for about 3 miles N or S. I'm finally in agreement with all the other sailboaters around here.. use the tide and current instead of fighting it. fair winds Denise
 
Feb 26, 2004
161
Hunter 23 Lake Keystone, OK
Nicely done.

There's much to be said for sailing with family and/or friends, but there's also much to be said for sailing alone. I like both. I've been wanting to ask you for some time ... what's it like sailing on a river with an h23? I sail on a lake in Oklahoma and can't imagine trying to sail against a current like that. Mac
 
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Denise, hunter 23

Hey Mac

I guess my take on river sailing is like sailors of old... So when the tide runs out we sail down with it. (south here) and when it comes in, back again. Even the big ships use the tide when they come up to the steel mill and other industrial docks up to Trenton NJ. If the current, which is always 5-6 knots and the wind are opposing it makes for some rail dipping sailing too! Until someone like me gets a knock down when a storm hits! duh! Then theres the need to match motor speed to current speed when docking. Then when going to the mooring with a dingy in tow the same thing, plus all the wakes and big waves from all the boaters. The best sailing here is in the evening if theres any wind. Most power boaters don't run at night. I'm always amazed how easy it is to see at night on the river. And it's cooler too!. Tugs, ships and barges aren't all that much to fear because they are well lighted and stay in the channel. I just can't guess what power boaters are thinking by always wanting to pass a sailboat in front of it!. Today I had to wave off one hotshot! He was damn close to hitting me! ruined a nice tack too! ! Then the wind is always changing and gusting. Oh.. and debris.. sometimes whole trees! Most here say if you can sail on a river like the Delaware you can sail anywhere LOL! fair winds! Denise
 
Jan 2, 2005
779
Hunter 35.5 Legend Lake Travis-Austin,TX
Denise...

GOOD ON YA GIRL!!! as the Aussies would say. My last boat was a 28.5 Hunter that was a dream to sail singlehanded and I did so probably 90% of the time. You just keep getting out there, all that river experience will make you a better sailor overall.
 
Dec 1, 2005
87
Hunter 23 Pennsville
Further down the Delaware

Its not as bad. Theres more room and the tide is not as fast, sailing against it so far has not been a big deal. However there is more traffic to watch, and the sportfisherman down here don't seem to understand right of way.
 
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