Wow!! Now I totally understand what the attraction and addiction to sailing really is. I have been a powerboat enthusiast for many years. I wanted to learn to sail a little over 10 years ago but the plans never went through. Today was the first day that was ever even on a sailboat let alone sailing one!! I attach my dreams and today was not exception. I chose a shallow lake with a large surface area so that any accidents would not be in small water versus the lartger Gulf! I learned a lot in my first 5 hours of my sailing career. First of all I learned how to properly rig my boat solo with efficiency. I learned how to accelerate and how to slow down. I did become a bit frustrated as I could not remember what I had read about sailing up wind. I made very little progress then it struck me that I needed to tack. I am sure that some will say that I took too much of a risk getting on the water alone for the first time without any formal training, but that is just who I am. I am dry and safe on my couch as I type this and I am itching to get back out there to do it again. Today was cold, but not a cloud in the sky. I was also the only boat other than a bass boat on the water all day!! It was so amazing!!
Now you know why some of us hang around a place like this!
Nice job for your first time out.
Your Helsen 22' has a center board or drop keel if I am not mistaken. Keep the center board down when going upwind and tacking. The board can be raised when going down wind.
Which lake are you on? Parker? Hancock?
Good for you!
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"The cure for anything is salt water~ sweat, tears, or the sea." ~Isak Denesen
Thanks so much for all the kind words!!! I am so excited that I cannot wait to get out there again!!
CalebD- I have certainly realized why people hang around a place like this!!
It has a swing keel. The cool thing about it is that the guy I bought it from fabricated a 12V winching system for the keel so I can raise and lower it with the push of a button. This was on Lake Parker which is only 10 minutes from home. Thanks for the advice about the keel. I had the keel down the whole time. What are the benefits of raising it when going downwind? I am a newbie so send as much knowledge as you got!!
Sublime- I have years and years and years of power boating experience. I now feel as though I have been a bit lazy about boating and yesterday made me realize that you miss out on so much while zipping across the water in a power boat. I heard the birds, the water splashing, and the keel humming which on a powerboat all gets drowned out!!
Here is a short video that I posted on my Facebook page of me sailing. Feel free to friend request me as well and look over my profile. You will see that I have lived a very interesting life especially if you watch a few of my videos!!
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