i so wanted to lose my cherry

[HoffaLives]

as a solo sailor i'm a virgin i'm afraid. there, i've come clean. the 46-year-old virgin. it' been eating at me lately because the weather has been fierce and we've been busy on tracy's days off, and so i haven't been out near as much as i would like. it was blowing like hell last night with heavy rain, but this morning the clouds broke, and lots of sun and the wind died down. barometer finally climbing out of the hole. i had breakfast and was all prepared to make this the day that i pop my own cherry.

and then the clouds rolled back in. I see they are calling for force 8 winds this afternoon, and it looks awful black to the west. the cautious part of me says to hold off for better weather, and the daring-do part is rubbing it's hands together and yelling damn the torpedoes. that would take some cojones.

the smartest part of me says it isn't the thing to go solo the first time in a gale, although it hasn't been the sailing part that has held me back. my biggest concern is the docking in the tight moorage i have with nobody around to help; i prefer to dock stern-first and the winds are almost always crosswinds here. blech.

wwyd?

[TrueBlue]

Seems to me that "solo-virgin" or not, a guy with a running-with-scissors avatar would care less about personal safety and just go for it. It's actually no big deal, I do it all the time and find it to be a very calming experience.

Your slip situation may be different. But, my boat's LOA is just over 36 ft and I've always docked without problems, even during high winds. Came in during 35 kt winds last time out with no crew, no dock assistance, and gently kissed the dock.

[Faster]

Patience... your first time will be much better if you pick the right girl - I mean weather. I'd get the routines down and work out the kinks in lighter warmer conditions. Once you've got all the logistics figured out, going solo in harsher conditions will be a lot easier.

This time of year the water is deadly cold, and there are few others out there to bail you out if you happened to get into trouble..including, as you noted, in getting back into your slip under adverse conditons.

[christyleigh]

Originally Posted by HoffaLives

the smartest part of me says it isn't the thing to go solo the first time in a gale, although it hasn't been the sailing part that has held me back. my biggest concern is the docking in the tight moorage i have with nobody around to help; i prefer to dock stern-first and the winds are almost always crosswinds here. blech. wwyd?

WIWD (or in English since I hate these home made acronyms everybody uses on Sailnet) What I Would Do - is reef my main and mizzen at the dock and head in when I returned since in my also tight marina backing in is for power boats with 2 engines and bow thrusters.
I agree with TB (and you also) that single handed sailing is really not that big of a deal as even though my wife is there I single hand the sailing part of the day 99% of the time anyway for the last 6 or 7 years. It's the docking that I Always like to have her there to help for the times when my landings are not picture perfect. Drifting around in a marina gets ugly quick without an extra pair of hands on the boat or at the dock

[punjabi]

I try to practice doing everything alone occasionally when my wife and I are out together. Still have a long way to go before it feels natural.

And I'm talking about sailing above.

[HoffaLives]

not trying to sound brave, but it really isn't about personal safety, it's more about damage to the boat if I screw up that has me hesitant; i have faith in the boat that it can handle whatever comes.
I've also never had her out in a real blow and i'm itching for that as well, just don't know if it's a wise thing to combine both at the same time.

this is the weather right now looking west; it was clear and sunny two hours ago. it's damn dark out for 1:00 pm[IMG][/IMG]

[CapnHand]

You will be using jack lines and a harness, right?

[HoffaLives]

Originally Posted by CapnHand

You will be using jack lines and a harness, right?

pretty well equipped, but don't have those. I was considering putting a waterproof handheld vhf in my pocket...

[uspirate]

I remember when i used to stay within a few hundred yards from shore on my sunfish. then this old salty sailor that was into windsurfing at the time told me stories of his windsurfing travels, ie: island hopping on a winsurfer. i then said screw it and went for the gusto and sailed my sunfish to some islands 6 miles off shore. it was a blast as well as a great learning experience. had the coast guard looking for one time when i rolled it but managed to upright it in 20mph gusts and make it back to shore soaking wet in my jeans and regular clothing. dont ask me why, but i didnt plan on getting wet (20 years ago ). i say go for it as your confidence will build. it's a sailboat and you're in control. it does what you tell it to do. once you let it take charge of you, might as well try knitting. just make sure you keep safety first. just my .02

[nolatom]

I just looked at a pictorial chart of what Force 8 looks like at sea, namely, 33-40 knots.

That's weather in which you can lose the whole orchard, not just a cherry.

I echo others in advising patience awaiting milder weather. Your local Coast Guard will be glad you did.