SailNet Community banner
  • SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

Big Freakin' Sails

593K views 3K replies 293 participants last post by  smackdaddy 
#1 ·
Okay - this thread is for people that ACTUALLY LIKE Big Freakin' Sails (note for morons: the verb, not the noun). BFS simply means sailing that pushes limits - whatever those limits may be. And herein lies the rub...and the reason I need to explain a couple of things so people don't start foaming at the mouth right off the bat.

There has been a tremendous amount of hubbub over this "philosophy" in another thread - but that thread apparently "came with a lot of baggage" - to the point that the topic itself got lost in the fog of war. So, this is an attempt to start cleanly.

It must be understood that the love for the adventure and excitement of hard sailing is just as valid and robust in the newbie as it is in the big-sailing old salt. The gap between the two is experience and knowledge. And the goal here is not to fill that gap by quashing the spirit of adventure and excitement with a deluge of cynicism and technicality - but to help us all learn, if and when the time comes, how to better handle that moment when mother nature starts rising beyond our sailing abilities. Because if you keep sailing - it will happen, period. And as you'll see, it can get very frightening very quickly.

For an old salt, these limits will obviously be worlds beyond those of the typical newbie. That old salt will probably snicker at the point at which the newbie becomes terrified - understandably so. Yet, there will inevitably be an even more seasoned salt that will, in turn, snicker at the snickerer when he/she soils his/her own breeches in a blow. It's all subjective and un-ownable.

Therefore, the BFS factor of a newbie experiencing a hard heel and wayward helm for the very first time is just as exciting, important, and valuable (in BFS terms) as the old salt battling a 50 knot gale. It's just about the attitude with which the exploit is approached and remembered - and taken into account as they go back out for more. There are great stories and valuable lessons in both experiences - as well as great opportunities for good hearted slams on the brave posters (which is valuable as well). That's BFS.

So, to be clear this thread is JUST AS MUCH FOR THE SAILING NEWBIE (of which I am one) as it is for the old salt. It's a place to tell your story, listen to others', learn some lessons, and discuss the merits or detractions of Big Freakin' Sails.

The following inaugural BFS stories illustrate what this thread is all about. As I said, I'm a newbie - and you see my first BFS story below. You can then compare that with the other great BFS stories thereafter (sometimes edited to protect the innocent) which I think are great tales from great sailors; they cover the spectrum of "pushing the limits". Then, hopefully, you'll throw down some BFS of your own (either your own story, stories you admire, or stories that are just flat-out lies but with great BFS value - whatever).

Now, let's have some fun...shall we?
 
See less See more
#954 · (Edited)
Heh-heh. I told you Chall - Giu's good! What's your top speed again, Giu? 16 knots or something? It's freakin' fast whatever it is.

BTW - I still have NEVER truly dipped a rail on the S/V Smacktanic (thanks Chall)! We were very close that day with Charlie - but still didn't get it under even though we were heeling past 35 degrees. And I know it's completely inefficient and slow - but, hey, it's fun!

BTW - has anyone EVER held the rail of a C27 under? With the 7' of freeboard on these boats, I'm starting to wonder.

Charlie - what were those stogies of yours called? My 4 year old wants me to get him a box.
 
#956 ·
Smack, those were JR Alternatives to Rocky Patel Vintage '92's. I've since found many better smokes than those. The La Gloria Cubana torpedo I had last night comes to mind. I did score on some very good, very cheap Maduro's (dark and full bodied puro's) but they're sold out.
 
#957 ·
Well - they were sweet smokes, dude. Thanks again, Charlie.

Hey - in going back through the BFS stories of great sails it seems we have holes in certain areas. For example, what about the Gulfies? I've been following Jrd's and Bennyd's jaunt out of FL (technically on the Eastie side, but it'll do) - and that definitely looks tasty to me. Who else is out on the Gulf getting some big wind? There HAS to be someone out there!

Then we've also got the Supersouthies. Chall is waiting for his window in Sydney(?) - but are there any others out there throwing down in that crazy Southern Ocean? In following the Vendee - things look pretty nuts down there.
 
#962 ·
Killed off? Ha! The only thing that could possibly kill this thread off is lame sailing. And people like you, C3PO, Fred, and all the other Big Freakin' Sailors that grace the pages of this thread just ain't gonna let that happen.

BFS Forever!
 
#967 ·
Today was Awesome

The title says it all

Craigtoo just happened to be in Charlotte this weekend so I asked if he wanted to go check out the boat I'm thinking of buying. He said he was game so I called up the owner/seller and asked if he'd be available. He said no but I'll leave it open for you guys. Feel free to take it out if you want.

Well we did.

And let me say it was awesome. Winds were 1 to about 6 or 7 knots with gusts a bit higher. We both had a blast and craig managed to teach me a thing or two.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, Here ya go:












And dumbazz me didn't even get a pic of Craig working as trim b*tch :D:D
 
#968 ·
Hi

I'm Trim B**ch... I like to sail...! :D :D :laugher

We had a good day! Winds were really gusty.... as you come out from behind an island or a point... the wind would hit you.. I think the winds topped 15 at gusts... but mostly stayed below 10... A fun time. Even got a little sunburned!

Flight's delayed ... time to get loaded at an airport bar.

Thanks Chris!!!!!!! Tell Mrs. CK that that was one AWESOME meal!!!
 
#979 ·
Ck and C2,

Nice to see someone getting some BFS in around here (borrowed boat + off season sailing + fun sailnetters +10 to 15 knots = BFS).

As MrWuffles said, don't count us out. We're watching the sun getting higher and the days getting longer. Soon, very soon.
 
#987 ·
I found this picture. Obviously a well documented RV BFS. He's heeling so much we can't tell how much awning he has up.

That guy is cranking!!

 
#990 ·
Is that Cam inspecting the damage to his rolling home???
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top