A Comet
Jerry,My first sailboat was a Comet class, cedar planked. Free along with a wooden mast, sans trailer, sails, sheets or tackle, or standing rigging. This boat also served as my introduction to dry rot. But cash, youth, enthusiasm and inexperience prevailed. I proudly launched my restored beauty into Sodus Bay in a stiff blow, with my equally inexperienced and unsuspecting father as crew, and we quickly learned how to sail rapidly downwind while pretending to be in control. We also learned that if one end of section of mast track pulls loose halfway up the mast, out of reach, that lowering the mainsail is no longer simple or easy. And that even if you manage to lower the mainsail, it is impossible to sail back to the dock, now half a mile directly upwind, under jib alone. And that sometimes, despite our general distain, there is no greater friend than a compassionate and understanding soul with a power boat and a tow line. Since then I haved sailed an O'Day Javelin, a Sunfish, and a Force 5 (similar to a Laser). I learned the most and had the most fun sailing solo on the Force 5, experimenting with various hull positions including 90 degrees and 180 degrees to the horizon. This was followed by a long dry spell accompanying marriage, home ownership and other adult responsibilities before a recent return to the water in a 170, accompanied by my inexperienced and unsuspecting wife as crew. At least I can get the mainsail down on this one.