Help us shorten our learning curve... What was the dumbest/worst mistake you've made?

[sailingdog]

Hmmm.. I guess that question has been answered... no, bluewater, offshore passages really aren't the place to have a dinghy on davits.

My favorite mistake was the time we snagged an illegal lobster pot line and didn't realize it initially. We were still doing 5 knots in 8 knots of wind, down from 5.5 knots or so... but finally had to cut the lobster pot free after dragging it a good half-mile or so.

[Cruisingdad]

Surely you checked the lobster pot before cutting it loose... you know, to free those poor lobsters from their cage, right??

[bestfriend]

How embarrassing does this need to be? I used the wrong caulk when replacing the clutch cheeks. I had to take the whole starboard set off the deck, clean all the poly caulk off and do it all over again. What a mess. Thank god for beer.

[Fearless]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

I hope you don't plan on making any bluewater passages with your dinghy up on the davits. I also hope that you have alternatives in case your electric winches fail.

For passages the dinghy goes on the deck. The davits are for coastal and pulling the boat and motor up at night. I also have it rigged so I can drop the inside edge of the dinghy down and pull up the outside edge so it stands upright on its side and is secured to the arch that way. That is what I do if the weather builds while I have it on the arch.

The one electric winch can be done mannually as well but I have four winches and parts kits for them. I have not heard of them being a problem, have you?

[Brezzin]

Was out single handing when the mainsheet caught the edge of my eyeglasses and ficked them into the deep. Didn't have an extra pair on board.
Made for quite an interesting sail back into the marina

[Fearless]

How about this. Engine running, wind blowing, wife and I drop the stern and bow mooring line at the same time to so we can make a clean get away. Jump in the cockpit only to find the wheel tied up nicely to the rail. We use to take it off to allow easy on and off the boat. Have a folding wheel now.

[TrueBlue]

Once, and only once, in our haste leaving the marina slip after work one evening, I forgot to unplug the shore power cord. Suprisingly, no damage to either plug end was done - I realized the "miscalculated risk" before it was too late. The only harm done was to my pride.

[bestfriend]

During my younger days, my friends and I sailed a Cal 39 out San Diego Bay to the ocean on a calm, clear, warm day. We then proceeded below deck to drink shots of tequila until several bottles were gone. Well, nobody checked the weather report, and you guessed it, back above deck a storm blew in. We took turns sailing and heaving (not heaving to, mind you). The lesson learned? No, not "don't drink so much", it would take a while longer to learn that one, but always check the weather report.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by Cruisingdad

Surely you checked the lobster pot before cutting it loose... you know, to free those poor lobsters from their cage, right??

Nah, that would have been illegall..and way too much work... Do you know how hard it is to haul in a lobster pot when you're doing five knots...

[BarryL]

How about this common mistake:

Going forward to check something. Returning to the cockpit and realizing my mobile phone is no longer there (I have done this one twice).

I did this one on my old Catalina 22 with outboard:
Row to boat, which is on mooring. Prepare to get underway by removing sail covers, etc. Start engine, drop mooring line, motor about 50' when the engine dies and won't restart. QUICKLY raise sail so you don't hit anything in the crowded harbor . SLOWLY sail while cursing and trying to start outboard. Then remember to open the vent on the gas tank.

And of course this one:
Raise the spinnaker on a mild breeze. Enjoy a wonderful sail in calm conditions. Then turn to head home and realize that the calm conditions are really a 15 kt breeze when headed upwind! Not terrible, but the rookie crew was less than happy with the boat heeling 20 degrees and pounding in the chop that developed.

Barry