First sailing trip! Solo for 4 days!

CaptBillW · #1 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

I have never sailed, other than a few days on a sunfish. Friday I purchased a -'73 28.5'
Irwin sloop. Sailed it from Green Cove Springs, FL to Daytona... What a trip! Took me 4 days...
I have to say I have a new found respect for single hand sailors!! I learned a lot! Ran aground 4 times..had a little motor trouble..and went the wrong way once! Lol...
I even sailed through the night one night...
While I have so very much to learn, I think I did ok for not having a clue what I was doing...
Thanks to google and forums like this I was able to get all the information I needed during my trip.
I also got a lot of great advice from many sailors along the way. Every sailor I met was very friendly and happy to talk about their boats and give me tips.
I am excited to have my new home on the water. I have given up my house and am a liveaboard now!
Any advice is greatly appreciated...

Thanks everyone!

deniseO30 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

congrats Bill! you made it!

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

Congrats Bill

Faster · #4 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

Well done.... but try to stay off the bottom...

chrondi · #5 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

Dear friend, mind not only about your safety at sea but foremost about the safety of other, maybe more experienced than you, sailors that you should never expose to any risks! I would add that you should above all respect the rights of professionals that make a living exactly where you get your pleasure ... Reckless behaviour when sailing is always paid cash.

CaptBillW · #6 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

Well, how arrogant are you?
I do know how to motor a boat, the sailing thing is new to me.. I took the ICW to avoid risk in the ocean. I had marinas between me and land on both sides. At 6 knots I don't think I was going too fast. I had plans if something went wrong and had all my safety gear. I steered clear of other vessels.
I'm not an idiot. I'm actually an engineer and design systems for operating rooms for use with surgery.
I took the sails down when the wind got too much and motored. Who was I endangering?

deniseO30 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

Bill, you don't own anyone an explanation. Chrondi was out of line.

Jalapeno · #8 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

I love hearing stories like this. I sailed on sunfish-type boats and on larger boats owned by friends and family when I was growing up, then bought a Pearson 26. I realized as I was being towed into the bay with no motor that I had a lot to learn.
Today, I'm on a much better equipped vessel and planning a trip to the Bahamas for the winter. I owe a lot of it to the posts by members here, but would never be doing what I am doing without that first trip out in the bay.
Congratulations. No explanations are owed to anyone.

PCP · #9 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptBillW

I have never sailed, other than a few days on a sunfish.

Friday I purchased a -'73 28.5'

..What a trip! Took me 4 days......Ran aground 4 times..had a little motor trouble..and went the wrong way once! Lol...I even sailed through the night one night... I think I did ok for not having a clue what I was doing...
...
Any advice is greatly appreciated...

I think I understand what Chrondi was trying to tell you: It is not safe for you and others to sail extensively (and at night) without having a clue and without having any significant experience.

It is not normal to run aground 4 times in four days. Sometimes things can go sour when you run aground

. I am happy you have made it, but consider taken things more slowly. First you should know your boat, fell that you feel comfortable sailing under difficult circumstances before attempting to travel extensively with it.

For instance, you say that you had problems with your engine and also that you had carefully put your sails down when the wind was strong (and turn on the engine). Well, what would have happened if those problems with the engine had happen when the wind was strong?

Keep on with that enthusiasm

Regards

Paulo

CaptBillW · #10 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

Ok. Maybe it was a a slight exageration when I said I had no clue. I meant about the sailing part. I motored at night because there was no good place to anchor I had all my lights checked out before I left. I also have seatow in case of other issues. I ran aground because the depth finder is not calibrated properly. I had access to information and had the ability to use my phone the entire time.
I know boating safety. I checked the weather. The basic concept of sailing is not rocket science especially with access to information on the Internet and every sailor I talked to was very helpful as I went along. I took it easy, didn't take any risks.
And in any boat, problems with the motor is always a potential risk.