My First Sail!!!

[NewportNewbie]

Other than the sea trial before I bought the boat I have been using it under motor. Today I went out with the previous owner under sail. What a blast! The harbor was not busy at all. Got out of the channel for a bit and then turned around and tacked back. Nice sail. Wind wasn't very strong. I think I'm gonna put the 155% genoa on for better light wind performance. I have 135% on it now. A few more outings with others or lessons and I'll be ready for a solo excursion. I'm sooooo hooked!

[PaulinVictoria]

Great stuff
You might want to keep the 135 for a bit though, I have a 155 on mine and although I go a bit faster in light winds, it doesn't point as well and the sail itself is just more of a pain to handle. I prefer using the 135.

[sailguy40]

Sounds awesome and it gets better! I got hooked right from the start Nothing like it, I can be out there all day and night and only burn 1/8 gallon of fuel, if that. This was something unheard of with my powerboats. I will never forget the nice night sleeping in the v-birth anchored a few miles out in big Lake Ponchartrain under the stars. The way my boat was slowly swinging on anchor, me just laying back staring up through the front deck hatch I had open. It felt like floating in space or something, looking up and seeing all the stars and the little dipper just panning by. Priceless experience and what a way to fall asleep. Then it don't stop there, next morning I would wake up to be treated to a beautiful sunrise. So no doubt that a sailboat is the best thing I ever bought.

[cb32863]

Nice to hear! Always a good thing to have that motor off...

Congrats on a good day.

[tomperanteau]

I can't believe that Newport harbor is ever NOT busy, but if you found a day when it wasn't, good for you! That is a pretty harbor.

So, when you planning on Catalina Island? You know that has to be soon, especially when you get hooked.

[carl762]

Nice. Now, you'll notice that all you think about now is SAILING!!!!! ... at least in my case. I'm hooked.

A trip to Catalina Island by sailboat would be an amazing trip. Did it by Ferryboat years ago. Love that Island!!!!

[tomperanteau]

Yep, it's a fun trip. We prefer Two Harbors because it is quiet and has a nice beach and a few nice restaurants. It is also a really pretty harbor and a nice walk across to the back side of the island. We've been to Avalon, too, but you have to be in the mood for the atmosphere there. Too commercial for us. If we want to visit a mall-like place, we can find that closer.

There are both mooring balls and a free anchorage area. Depending on our plans, we have used both. If it is just the wife and I, we'll anchor out for free because she is a fishing freak and the only reason for some of our trips there are so she can fish around the island. The nice thing about that is that our weekend jaunts may only cost us the diesel to pull out of our slip. Sailing is free!

[aquestforfun]

Enjoy the new boat. Its a beautiful harbor to sail in and out of. We sail there ourselves. Sometimes we have your luck with not too much traffic but usually we are dodging rented Duffy's who don't know or follow any rules and the Harbor 20 races in the lower turning basin.