When does one become a Sailor vs. a person sailing?

bnoble · #1 (**permalink**) 07-11-2003

As a new member of the sailing community, I’ve been told that my old 1988 23.5 Hunter is far too big for our 350 acre “pond”. That a “Real Sailor” wouldn’t consider putting up with the power boaters for the simple satisfaction of being able to tack fifty times to travel less then a mile down to the other end of the lake only to turn around and run back to the marina in fifteen minutes. But to me it’s an accomplishment. When I drove my powerboat I just pointed it in the direction I wanted to go and gave it some gas. Now I have to read the wind, plan my route, and unfortunately give way to jet skis and wake boarders with their blasting stereo systems. Last week I had the best time in my two month sailing carrier by trailering Miss Lisa to Gavens Point dam in South Dakota and sailing fifteen miles without having to change tack. What a thrill it must be to have BIG water to play on. But as my experience increases so will the size sailing area I feel comfortable on.

Happy sailing to all.

knothead · #2 (**permalink**) 07-11-2003

Just the fact that you are more interested in the journey than the destination makes you a sailor in my mind. The skill are aquired and improved with time but being a sailor is something deeper.

Stede · #3 (**permalink**) 07-11-2003

bnoble Beaver Lake Nebraska,

I think only a real sailor would be dedicated enough to overcome the conditions you describe that you''ve got to sail in! I also do a lot of lake sailing,so I know what you''re talking about. Learning to recognize all the stupid things lake antagonists do on the water surrounding you now, will help you later when you do sail in big water.You develop a sense of knowing what others are going to do before they do it. The conditions you describe on your lake are the same as entering any busy harbor. It''s all relative. The only difference is everything is bigger. Happy sails to you my lake brother.

jbarros · #4 (**permalink**) 07-11-2003

Scew the nay-sayers.
A sailor is someone who''s sailing. You own a boat, that makes you a boat owner, you realy sail, that makes you a real sailor. congradulations. You''re certificate will be in the mail shortly. =)

Do the people who called into question the "realness" of your sailorship actualy sail?

On a side note, since when did a sailboat have to yield right of way to a jet ski? I dont know about maratime law where you''re from, but around here (biggest pond, Pacific Ocean) jet-skis are slightly under plastic bags on the right of way scale.

At some point I''m gonna have to try lake sailing. Sailing without waves big enough to cast wind shadows and cause accidental jibes sounds RAD! =)

-- James

pirateofcapeann · #5 (**permalink**) 07-11-2003

Sailing, is sailing, is sailing, is sailing! Make no bones about that. But there''s something to be said about looking long and hard for the highlands to sliver the horizon forward while astern your wake leads to the separation of sea and sky. It is here that the sailor is born, or not. One who sits, profusely fidgeting and worrying about every little thing should probably stick to the 350 acre lake, while the one who celebrates life and thrills to standing alone atop the world is the sailor! TRIM!

BigRed56 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-11-2003

Ahoy, A sailor ye be to be sure and right good enough to sail in me big pond of the Gulf of Mexico, and glad to have ye. Strike out and embrace the sea and she she hold your heart forever. Pirate of Pine Island.

paulk · #7 (**permalink**) 07-12-2003

Hobie 16 website had a solution for PWC''s that any real sailor would appreciate. I can''t find it now, but it involved tweaking the heat-sensor on an army surplus Sidewinder and mounting it (and possibly a second, for better balance on board) far enough forward on the Hobie to clear the tillers. Apparently quite effective.

JeffC_ · #8 (**permalink**) 07-16-2003

Well, there''s the answer right there: the moment you realize that deep down in your heart you really, really <em>hate</em> jet skiers, not that you only consider them a nuisance, but that you have an abiding, visceral hatred for all of their kind, then you are a sailor, my friend.

(Welcome aboard)

jbarros · #9 (**permalink**) 07-16-2003

heat seaking side winder?!?!?!? maybe on a hobie or a J boat. for us who like to think older school http://www.cannon-mania.com/Arsenal%20Store.htm has some descent cannons. takes a bit of practice to be able to hit them buzzy little suckers though.

-- James

knothead · #10 (**permalink**) 07-16-2003

I have a name for jet skiers. Don''t remember where I first heard it but it has always seemed appropriate. "water maggots"