Fear of Heeling

[kirstinm]

I have had this fear in the past as well, and with the understanding and assistance of folks I sail with, I have learned to get past it. Learning how adjustments on the main can ease heeling has made me far more confident about a boat heeling.

Add to that just plain spending as mich time as I can on as many different boats as I can, and I''m getting there. Did my first "almost" single-hand a few weeks ago. Captain was on board, but he just sat and watched. Did all the dock work and everything else on my own! It was just too cool!!!

[Mauritius]

I too have a fear of heeling. Don''t know that I will ever get over it. But I do cope. I was steering in about 15 - 20 knot winds when a gust of wind came and blew us over. My husband knew what was going to happen and never said or did anything to stop it. He wanted me to understand that the boat will come back up when the sail spills. I was almost standing on the side of the boat when it just popped back up. I do have a better understanding now but still have a fear of heeling. I am hoping that once we move aboard the boat and sail all the time that I will get over this feeling. I hate being afraid all the time and want to be a better sailor.
Fair winds and smooth sailing!!
Nancy

[djakunda]

I came from a motorcycling background so fear of heeling was not a problem when I started out sailing.
It was the "gee we are taking a long time to get round this bloody corner!" syndrome I had to get over.