By Nancy E. Wigal
So, you’ve been bitten by the sailing bug? You’ve realized sailing can get into your soul and bring you happiness. You’ve taken some lessons, and you know you have what it takes to be a sailor. You’ve looked at the different web sites, and read the literature out there, learning about the different boats that appeal to you. By lurking on e-mail lists and forums, asking questions, looking at different boats, and doing research, based on your wants, needs, and comfort level, you did it—you bought a boat. You believed all the printed matter on the subject when they say, “just add water!” So the boat shows up and it’s ready to sail, but are you?
When I took delivery of my 19-foot West Wight Potter, Baydream, in February 2000 from International Marine, I was dreaming of the day I’d launch her. I’d never owned a new boat before—no scratches, dings, or baggage attached; what a concept! I sat in her cockpit, as she squatted on her trailer in my driveway. I imagined sailing on the Chesapeake Bay, on a warm sunny day, with a fresh breeze to push us along. The next day, I woke up and realized I had to accomplish certain things before setting sail.
As a first-time boat owner, here are some things you’ll need to do to truly be able to “just add water.”
Registration Check your applicable state laws, and register your vessel accordingly. In many cases, this is a quick, simple application. Call the correct state office, and find out how much registration will cost. Ask about any supporting documentation that should be attached. Find out whether you have to pay additional personal property tax, as we do here in the Commonwealth of Virginia. If your boat is on a trailer, be sure to comply with trailer registration, taxing, and licensing laws as well. And don’t forget to outfit your towing vehicle with the proper wiring harness and towing hitch for your particular trailer.
Safety Equipment Again, your state office that regulates recreational boating will tell you what safety equipment you must have.
Lights, flares,
horns, cushions, fire extinguishers, a first aid kit, and PFDs are among the safety items you’ll be required to carry, depending upon your boat size. When stocking extra PFDs, consider whether you’ll have children as well as adults sailing with you. If so, be sure to purchase the proper size PFDs for all your guests. I always attach a whistle to my PFD as well. Another major decision is choosing the type of
VHF radio you’ll buy (portable, fixed, or one each) since cell phones can’t always counted upon, even near the shore. I have spotty coverage on my part of the Bay, and I know that if the cell phone won’t work, the
VHF radio certainly will.
Chart(s) One of the first purchases you should make is the approved chart of the waters you’ll sail in. While hearing about local sailing conditions from knowledgeable sailors is invaluable, a chart will lay out your options for plotting courses and taking trips, as well as showing the approximate location of submerged hazards. Channel markers, buoys, and other navigation aids will be shown as well.
Anchors Will your boat come with an anchor package, and if it does, is it applicable to the waters you’ll be sailing in? I belong to an e-mail list for Chesapeake Bay sailors, and they often discuss which anchors are better in the Bay. Talk to local sailors, and find out what to use. The popular Danforth anchor is good for mud and sand bottoms, but it won’t work well on a rocky or grassy bottom. Plow anchors also work well in sand, mud, and small grassy bottoms. Make certain that you have enough anchor rode for your vessel length and that you buy high-quality chain. If you intend to start cruising right away, consider buying two anchors with the proper rode length. By properly setting two anchors, you’ll sleep better at night. Before you undertake that first overnight cruise, practice setting your anchor(s). There is a lot of information available on how to set and retrieve anchors, namely right here on SailNet. Just delve into their Anchoring and Docking article section. If an experienced sailor is willing, let her or him take you out, and show you how, then practice setting and retrieving drills on your own. When you venture forth on your first overnight cruise and set your anchor(s) for the first time, you’ll have the confidence of knowing you’ve performed the maneuver countless times.
Gear Sailing is no different than other sports or hobbies. It has its own collection of gear and accessories. Nonskid, non-marking boat shoes are a must. While you don’t have to spend a lot of money on specialized clothing, you will want a few things to enhance your comfort while sailing. These include breathable fabric clothes for winter and summer. I have found that my snowboarding clothes (minus the pants) cross over well for the mid to late fall sailing that I do. A good hat, quality sunglasses, and sun block are necessary items in every sailor’s gear bag. Prepare to invest in at least one good pair of sailing gloves, or more, if you will sail at least three seasons out of the four. Purchase decent rain gear for those times you get caught out.
Parts Whether your boat is new or used, make a list of, and carry some simple parts, such as split cotter rings, cotter pins, fuses, small hardware, and turnbuckles. Stow some all-purpose cleaner for wiping up spills, and carry an all-purpose lubricant to oil cables and hinges. Depending upon your engine configuration, stock up on cotter pins for your outboard motor rudder, a spare spark plug (or two), engine oil, and an approved container for extra fuel. Make sure you have some engine absorbent pads or sheets to catch any fuel that may spill. Follow your engine manufacturer’s recommendations for all parts and lubrication materials. Build a basic boat toolkit and stock it with a mallet, screwdrivers, pliers, nut drivers, and wrenches. For your battery, put a multimeter on board to check voltages and current. If your boat will be in the water rather than on a trailer and you stow your mainsail on the boom, invest in a mainsail cover to spare your sail from the sun’s damaging rays. Carry at least two fenders to protect your boat’s sides from piers and other vessels. Don’t forget dock lines, and always have at least two spare battens, if not a complete set on board—I always seem to need to replace the second one from the bottom. This list is not complete, but it should jog your memory into the basics you’ll need to outfit your boat.
Boat systems First time owners of sail boats sometimes find the different arrangements for reefing, boom vangs, and lazy jacks, to name a few, are daunting. Before casting off for the first time, practice raising the main and headsails, reefing, adjusting the boom vang, and lazy jack system (if so equipped). Become familiar with your auxiliary motor system, be it inboard or outboard. New boats come with an owner’s manual that will familiarize you with your boat’s systems. This is a worthy piece of literature that you’ll want to read in depth. Remember, investing the time for this results in a less stressful inaugural voyage.
Inaugural voyage ceremony Sailing is steeped in tradition and one of the finest is creating your own ceremony prior to casting off for the first time. Many sailors I know have made very special, personalized ceremonies to mark their maiden voyage on their new sailboat. My ceremony was pretty simple. Baydream had been launched the day before I took her out for the first time. I bought a bottle of (semi) cheap champagne. I popped the cork, faced her bow, and said, “I christen you Baydream. With you, I will sail the Chesapeake Bay and do what I love best. Carry me safe, carry me well, Baydream, and let’s have many years of fun.” I proceeded to pour most of the champagne over her bow. I took a healthy slug for myself, and gave the rest to the waters below Baydream’s bow. My partner and a marina employee were my witnesses. I then cast off her lines, and away we went for our first sail.
|
|
|
A co-worker of mine performed a lovely ceremony. When we launched his West Wight Potter for the first time in Aquia Creek, he took out a small vial of holy water. With me as his witness, he said a simple, elegant prayer for his boat. He poured a few drops of the holy water over her bow and Refuge was christened.
Owning your first boat is an unforgettable experience. The information presented here only covers basic items. You’ll customize your boat as you sail, because you’ll realize there’s always something you just can’t, or shouldn’t, do without. By the time you check off the items listed above, you’ll be ready to “just add water.”
Nancy E. Wigal lives and works in the Washington, DC area. She sails her West Wight Potter, Baydream, on the Chesapeake Bay, and looks forward to the day when she can purchase her dream house on the bay, and can have Baydream in the water, out back.
If you'd like to contribute to Our Readers Write section, please send your submissions to submit@sailnet.com.
Linear Mode
