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Author
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Topic: First sail
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RAB
Member
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posted September 16, 2003 07:46 PM
 
I'm not sure why I thought I could just go out and sail a boat for the first time without any previous experience...As my Caprice was being tossed onto a rocky shore with my wife and I aboard it occured to me that no one ever just hopped onto a two wheel bike for the first time and just rode away. You always fall down...a few times.
I launched from a public launch on Lake Ontario. I thought we could row out a bit to get some sea room and then hoist the main sail. The waves were relentlessly pushing us toward the shore. I resorted to pushing the boat into deeper water and then jumping aboard. Shipping the rudder was a nightmare in the surf. Finally I reached for the main haliard only to see the forestay swinging wildly where it had separated at the turnbuckle. I leapt out onto the bow to reattach the turnbuckle, yelling at my wife to push forward on the mast to get the slack I needed. As the waves were driving us toward shore I looked back to see my wife pushing on the boom (While I have read much about sailing my wife has had little interest and so doesn't know the difference). After re-attaching the forestay I lept off the boat to push us off the rocks...again. I got aboard to hoist the sail, but when I re-attached the forestay I neglected to notice that it had wrapped itself once around the mast. I had to jump into the water again. This time when I detached the forestay the whole mast fell by the board, narrowly missing my wife. With the Caprice on the rocks we stepped the mast again. As I was pushing us out again I lost a water shoe and had to endure the rocky bottom. This time my wife gave up and walked ashore headed for the safety of our van. I towed the boat back to the ramp. The shore around the ramp was sandy as was the beach to the west of the ramp. I was determined to try again, but had to try solo. I couldn't coax my wife back in. After beaching about 20 more times I decided to try partially dropping the pivoting centerboard in the shallow water. When I did this I discovered, quite by accident, how much less my boat was blown by the head when my weight moved from the stern to the center of the boat. I also noticed some breakers a little farther out and thought I could push the boat out to a sandbar and reboard in the shallower water. This worked and gave me the sea room I needed to get under way. I WAS FINALLY SAILING!!!!!! Away from shore the breeze freshened and I enjoyed about 40 minutes of sailing before I had to return to the ramp to trailer the boat and pick up the kids after school.
Despite the stiffness I'm feeling right now, and the rough start we had, I'm telling you; you cannot wipe the smile off my face. I learned alot, through trial and error, and I can't wait to get back at it.
There is a post script to this story...Does anyone know where I can get a small motor...cheap. My wife says she won't get back into the boat until I have a motor to get us out away from shore.RAB
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whited
unregistered
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posted September 16, 2003 08:08 PM
Some of the purist might sniff at this...but I believe a small motor would make a world of difference.
Just like a bigger keel boat, you could get underway and motor out away from shore. As the crew points you into the wind...you
drop the keel and then raise your mainsail.
Next bear off on a tack and then unfurl your jib. (assuming you have roller reefing)
When you are through sailing, crank the motor up and point into the wind again. Quickly roll in your jib and drop the mainsail. Don't forget to raise the keel.
Now just the rudder to worry about as you head to the ramp.
I was considering a 4 stroke 2.5hp Yamaha.
It's a bit pricy at $940.00 + taxes but worth it over the long run.
The beast would come in handy also when the
wind dies and you tire of sitting going nowhere.
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whited
unregistered
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posted September 16, 2003 08:16 PM
Forgot to mention..that the first time or two out...you might have taken along someone who has experience sailing daysailers/dinghys.
Another alternative is to take a dinghy sailing course.
I earned my White Sail in the early '80's on 420 sailboats at Shearwater Naval Base.
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ntodd
Member
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posted September 30, 2003 01:02 PM
Great story! Go back and look at my post from 7-22-03. I think You'll see a lot common things happen on that first time out.
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teamtnl
JuniorMember
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posted October 23, 2003 02:29 PM
I purchased a Honda 2HP 4-stroke for my CL16 #2062. It is the lightest 4-stroke on the market and utilizes a centrifical clutch. It wasn't cheap, $800US, but it moves the boat nicely and I am extremely satisfied after 1 season. It fires right up and doesn't smoke or stink like a 2-stroke. It's a good insurance policy, allowing me to get out, maneuver and come in if the weather (or sailboat) is uncooperative. (Keeps the wife happy too) Depending on your launch point, a motor may be a necessity.
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Celtic Kiss
unregistered
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posted October 23, 2003 10:53 PM
RAB: I strongly suggest you take some sailing lessons. Things could have worked out much differently for you as it sounds like you escaped a variety of near-misses. Proper instruction will also make your wife feel safer in a sailboat. Robert
Celtic Kiss #2120
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Eric
Member
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posted October 25, 2003 07:04 AM
Hi RAB. Great story. It only gets better from here!
I am originally from St. Catharines, and I am curious where you launched from. I would think that St.Catharines Marina at Port Weller east would be a good spot, as there is a small bay there, protected from the westerlies (and not too many spectators like Pt. Dalhousie  ).
There are many good little motors around that would suit your boat. Check out the used market, I'm sure you could get what you need economically.
Kudos on your first sail!
Eric
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RAB
Member
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posted October 26, 2003 01:36 AM
Hi everyone...thanks for your input. Eric I launched from Municipal beach. It's the only public (free) boat launch left in the city. I've been out four times since that story and they all went much better. The last time I launched right off the beach with a nice beam breeze (only my feet got wet). Sailing can be so relaxing and yet there's always something new to learn. I'm enjoying learning how my boat handles in different wind, how you can steer with the sail and not the tiller, changing the rake of the mast and noticing the difference. I like how I can be sailing along so sweetly...just when I start thinking I've got it all figured out I change tack and suddenly nothing I was doing before has the same effect. Can't steer a straight course, wind keeps laying me over, etc... I'm sure I'm hooked for life.
Counting on all of you to get me through the winter
RAB
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