Couple of questions from a new sailor

[nomed4947]

Hi,
been taking a sailing course for the past month (final class next week) so i'm starting to think about sailing outside of the class
and i've got 2 questions that couldn't wait till sunday

one of my goals is to be proficient enought to sail solo, the boat i'm learning on is a 23' Sonar, right now in class we have 4 students on the boat doing all the various things needed to trim the sails, steer and so on

my question: when operating the boat solo, only thing i can't figure out is how you can steer towards the mooring and pick it up at the bow ?
they taught us how to release the main to depower it , steer into the wind, but its not stop on a dime acuracy

my second question: the class i'm taking is taught on oyster bay, long island, i'm interested in going into the long island sound once i get my certification, but i've never been out of the bay, Is there anything i should be aware of?
i feel like the water is so calm in the bay i'll not know what to expect out there

Thanks in advance

[timebandit]

my question: when operating the boat solo, only thing i can't figure out is how you can steer towards the mooring and pick it up at the bow ?
they taught us how to release the main to depower it , steer into the wind, but its not stop on a dime acuracy

Pick it up at the stern and after you stop walk it foward.

Rick

[sailingdog]

Run a dockline through the bow chocks, aft, outside of the shrouds and lifelines... then come up to the mooring ball, tie off the line you're brought aft and then walk forward to the as the boat drops back on the line to adjust the boat-end of the line.

[paulk]

Once you get out of Oyster Bay the tide will be pushing you East or West instead of North or South. There may also be more, or less wind out on the Sound than in Oyster Bay itself - it depends on the wind's direction and local effects. Have fun! Sonars are good boats for the Sound, with enough sail area to keep them moving and enough length and mass to cut through chop and powerboat wakes.

[Plumper]

You should question the instructor on why he is teaching you to pick up the buoy forward. Unless you are driving a very lage boat it is always easier to pick the buoy up aft.

[solzephyr]

Great advice from all of the above, but how to maintain stearage might also be your question. I'm not familiar with your vessel, but if it's tiller controlled learn to use your knees, legs and sometimes a short line or even one of the jib sheets to lash and maintain the tiller while you use the hook from the cockpit and attach the previosly attached bowline.Controlling the tiller between my legs (in light air) is essential for soloing my boat. If you have a wheel and autopilot, "go for it".

"Some Day Never Comes" John Fogerty

[Sailormann]

my question: when operating the boat solo, only thing i can't figure out is how you can steer towards the mooring and pick it up at the bow ?
they taught us how to release the main to depower it , steer into the wind, but its not stop on a dime acuracy

Generally, you use a boathook to grab the mooring line as you ease past it. Don't let go of the tiller/wheel in the middle of an anchorage. Use the hook to bring the line onboard the boat and once you have a firm grasp on it, let go of the steering mechanism.

my second question: the class i'm taking is taught on oyster bay, long island, i'm interested in going into the long island sound once i get my certification, but i've never been out of the bay, Is there anything i should be aware of ? i feel like the water is so calm in the bay i'll not know what to expect out there

Start by sailing out to the mouth on a calm day and look at it. Venture out a little bit - don't go any further than you are comfortable with. It takes a little while to build confidence in yourself and your boat. Take your time and you'll be fine. Good Luck !

[nomed4947]

Thanks everybody , great advice , just what i was looking for

[Stillraining]

Hand your instructor a 50 and tell him you want to go out for some extra credit.