Author Topic:   3 Days Great Sailing (CL16) Long discourse Tom D CL16 Member posted July 18, 2002 06:13 PM             I just returned from Pentwater Mi. It is a small resort village about 2/3 the way up Lake Michigan on Michigan west shoreline. Monday afternoon I headed out with the 3.3 pushing me across the little lake and out the channel to the BIG open water. Wind under 10 mph. I raised the Jib, raised the Main and off I went. The water was relative calm and the sailing was fantastic. With the light breeze and sailing for a while I sailed upwind for about an hour on a single tack (GREAT). Ready to try the spinnaker solo. All lines were checked at the dock, and I was sure I was in for a great ride. WRONG!!!!!!! Some how on my checkout I forgot the Jib downhaul was over the spinnaker guy/sheet on port side. This was NOT noticed on the dropping of the jib. Bungee the tiller. Using the launcher I raised the chute, ran to the front of the cockpit to connect the spinnaker boom. Things got a little hectic, I got the boom connected and the lines got tangled and all hell broke loose. After yankng, pulling and some of the mildest profanity I still could not get everything coordinated. I actually did a 360 without even trying. A little more profanity and some serious yanking pulling and shoving of any and everything I could get my hands on, the problem started to solve. I managed to break the snap clip on the end of the spinnaker boom. With a few violent, loud expletives, I finally got the lines untangled and had to retrieve the chute through the launcher. The good news is that the launcher works for setting and retrieving the spinnaker. My plan for solo spinnaker sailing is now on hold until I can repair the spinnaker boom. I sailed back to the channel using main and jib wing on wing. Other than the spinnaker fiasco the 4 hours sailing was very relaxing. Tuesday my wife's son-in-law wanted to go sailing (prior experience is calm water Kayaking). Again light air about 10 mph. Motored out to the big lake. More air and a little bigger waves. Great sailing for about 5 hours. We pillaged and plundered all the seacoast villages looking for wicked wenches to sell into slavery. Actually we waved at a lot people partying on the beaches. We headed for deeper water. We could see shore but not make out the people. The sailing was great even with a novice sailor. We headed into the wind so we could wing/wing back. The day was great. I have another converted sailor with no money. O well it was great. Wednesday the wind was picking up about 15 knots and waves 2 - 3 feet and a chop. My wifes son also a novice was to be crew today. The trusty 3.3 bounced us out to the big lake and heading into the wind going up and down we finally got the mainsail up, no jib. We headed into the wind and tacked several times trying not to get too far from the shore. We had a great time a little bouncy though. Now he tells me that he has a tendacy to get seasick. Damn thanks kid. Anyway he never got sick or wooozy. Now we had to return. Tacking into 3 foot rollers with chop was not bad but trying to head down wind, the short reach was a real experience. Running with the big waves following made for an adventure. Anyway we finally got back near the channel. The damn 3.3 wouldn't start. Well son we will impress the spectators by sailing up the channel. The wind was right but the chop was awesome. What a ride. After entering the little lake in the lee of the sand dunes we were able to fire the 3.3. Headed to the marina tied up and sat down and WOW. Thursday, Getting the boat trailored to come home several folks asked were we the idoits sailing yesterday. YEP was the reply. Fisherman said they came in and wondered who were the fools sailing that little boat. While sailing we saw several other big sailboats but none under sail. It was a great week, and the wife's son is ready to go again. Now I must find the part for the spinnaker boom and I will try again. Thanx for listening. good sailing tom d

Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.45b