Wife Thinks I'm Nuts

Status
Not open for further replies.
Gary Wyngarden

Gary Wyngarden

.
Mar 4, 2004
347
Hunter 37.5 Orcas Island, WA
Traditionally our last overnight on the boat each fall is "Gary's Birthday Cruise." Read into this "It's your birthday. I guess we'll do whatever you want even if the weather is lousy." Well we'd planned to go to Ganges on Saltspring Island in B.C. for the weekend. But the marine weather forecast was for a southeasterly gale Saturday night and today which would have had us beating into the 35 knot winds for 30 miles coming home. Quite reasonably I compromised, and we went to Fisherman Bay on Lopez. Nice quiet sunny sail on Friday and excellent dinner Friday night at the Bay Cafe. As predicted the weather Saturday morning was overcast, temps in the upper 40's, intermittent rain, and a 15-20 knot southeaster, practicing up for the gale. The mate helped cast off lines, and retired below decks to avoid the weather, and read her book. I hoisted the main, turned downwind and set the autopilot while I rigged the whisker pole, unfurled the genny and sailed wing and wing at 6.5 to 7 knots for a five mile run. Full foulies and boots, a wool watch cap, sailing gloves, and a BIG s**t-eating grin on my face! :) What a way to celebrate your 61st! Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
 
S

sardo

Congratulations

Congrats on making it another year man! Gotta good woman there too! Outa figure on how much of your life is cancelled-out while waiting for sailing weather to come a round throughout the winter. You love sailing and it's year round down here in florida. That's why I moved here from Cleveland.
 
W

Warren Milberg

Gary: Good on you!

...and happy natal day! Your sail sounded great, even if you had to haul out the foulies, watch cap, and boots. I've had some really satisfying sails in nasty weather. Yet I dread the idea of dragging out my cold weather sailing gear and hope global warming will delay the inevitable. My wife calls me the nautical "Pilsbury Dough Boy" when I climb into my cold wx sailing gear....
 
newly anonymous

newly anonymous

.
Sep 24, 1999
1,511
Hunter H46LE Sausalito
you gotta draw the line somewhere

foulies: ok watch cap: fine harnass & tether: acceptable, given severe conditions boots: no freaking way. if I can't wear my tevas, I'm staying in port. happy b-day.
 
B

Benny

Traditions are good as you get a sense of

accomplishment when continuing and extending them. They make sense out of irrational behavior. For years I have been sailing every January 1st, New Years Day, irrespective of weather. Luckckily when it rains here it is warm and when it gets cold its crisp clear. Nothing a sweater , jeans and some gloves can't handle.
 
Ctskip

Ctskip

.
Sep 21, 2005
732
other 12 wet water
Another day goes down in history

as a successful and enjoyable one. Ain't life wonderful. Seems like fall sailing is some of the best, no matter what your position is. It's always fun to get ready for the weather and have it come just as you expected. Just being ready for it, is a accomplishment few get to enjoy. The last storm that came my way. I out ran it and avoided it. Once it went by, I kinda missed it. Wishing I was back out in it and enjoying the ride. Maybe next time. Oh I almost forgot. Congratulations! Keep it up, Ctskip
 
C

CharlieCobra

.
May 5, 2006
1,140
Knutson K-35 Yawl Bellingham
Gary, I was eyeballing that weather and

wanting to go but I've got some maintenance to do first. Maybe I'll catch the next Gale.
 
caguy

caguy

.
Sep 22, 2006
4,004
Catalina, Luger C-27, Adventure 30 Marina del Rey
Had a momentary adrenaline rush last Saturday.

When I arrived at the ramp at MDR at about 10am the red light was flashing at the entrance as well as the red small craft warning flag was flying. Thought to myself if Charley and Gary can do it why not. The wind actually didn't seem that bad but you can't always tell with all of the condos around there. So I hanked on the jib and stowed the Genoa and figured this will be good reefing practice. I am pretty much a fair weather sailor, so motoring down the channel, passing the read flag buoy, I really had my juices going. I noticed that the large flag on the breakwater was not totally flapping in the wind so I figured that possibly the concern was large swells. As I rounded the breakwater there were no white caps and only about a 2 ft swell. Wind was about 7 mph. Half relieved and half disappointed I unreefed and set out on a very pleasant albeit slow sail to Malibu. Interestingly enough the Laser Olympic trails were out, I gather small craft advisories don't bother them. Turned out to be a warm 78* with mild winds and 2 ft swell all day, can't complain too much. Thanks Charley and Gary for the inspiration. Frank
 
C

CharlieCobra

.
May 5, 2006
1,140
Knutson K-35 Yawl Bellingham
Frank, are you single handing?

If so, it's a lot easier to shake out a reef than put one in. My tolerances drop significantly when I'm solo with regards to weather and sea state. However, I do enjoy a brisk sail. I just won't sail in a gale SH or with Mama yet. With other crew? It's on! Once I get the downhauls and some other little things on the boat straightened out, it might be a different story. Enjoy that boat. Charlie
 
caguy

caguy

.
Sep 22, 2006
4,004
Catalina, Luger C-27, Adventure 30 Marina del Rey
I single hand it most of the time.

Sometimes its easier, one less thing to worry about. My constant companion and sailing buddy is the Tllermaster. All of my lines run to the cockpit including a downhaul for the jib. Hopefully I will get it reefed before things get crazy. Frank
 
Gary Wyngarden

Gary Wyngarden

.
Mar 4, 2004
347
Hunter 37.5 Orcas Island, WA
Please note!

I went out in 15-20 knots and had a great time. I don't deliberately go out in gale force winds and wouldn't want to be thought of as an example of someone who did. I've been out in 30 knots with gusts to 40 a few times. That's plenty for me, and I prefer less.. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
 
C

CharlieCobra

.
May 5, 2006
1,140
Knutson K-35 Yawl Bellingham
Anything over 40 knots gets way too

interesting way too fast. It's not so much the sailing part of it, it's the docking part that gets ya.
 
R

Rick Sylvester

.
Jul 1, 2004
567
Hunter 40 St. Petersburg
Well, of course you are.

So are the rest of us. John, I like your parameters. A buddy of mine says he never sails when the wind speed and the temperature (Farenheidt) are the same (or close.)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom