Fight Club____for Sailors

[toddrtownsend]

Surfesq! I was catching up on our little party here and was developing a response in my head, but you've covered it already! Drat!

Summary:
If you've never been out in the strong stuff on purpose, what the $%^& are you going to do when you go out on a peaceful morning and it turns ugly before you get home??!!??

To Tie Two together:

IMHO, the only difference between some British whack-job buying a boat and jumping into an ill-prepared Atlantic Crossing and a guy who stays at the dock with his Crunch and Munch in a fresh breeze . . . is that the British guy has already killed himself and three other people.

TrT

[Surfesq]

I totally agree with toastchee. You never know what is going to happen or when. Just this past weekend, I was on my buddy's IP. The wind on the Bay suddenly changed from 8 knots to 20 knots. His boat was instantly overpowered. He went forward to put in a reef and was having difficulty moving around. We switched positions and the boat was really getting slammed by the chop. As I was putting in the reef, the Jib lines fouled. As he tried to reduce the jib sail area the line for roller furling tangled. It was total chaos for about 15 minutes. We eventually got everything straightened out but it shows just how quickly conditions can change.

[CharlieCobra]

Exactly. If he'd gone out in heavy weather to ply his newfound trade on purpose, he might've survived that gale. Mind you I don't advocate jumping out in 30' seas with a 90 knot breeze to practice but you can at least work your way up to gale sailing so ya have half a chance if'n ya get caught out. The other concern would be the condition of the boat. Taking a new to you, old boat out into seas like that is suicide. Ya have no clue how or if it will handle those conditions.

[CharlieCobra]

I reckon I need reefing cringles in my main, seeing as it doesn't have any.

[Surfesq]

LP: (Lady Pirate), I also grew up on the water, fishing, surfing, crabbing and of course sailing. My parents had the vision of putting me and my 3 brothers in sailing lessons as kids. We used to race each other sunfishes until we graduated to catamarans as teenagers. I was also fortunate enough to go sailing on my parents boat. How long does it take to get good? I would say that the answer lies with you. Take a few basic sailing courses and learn the basics. Then get out there and sail. Read the books that are there. The information that is available is amazing. I think if you have an adventurous spirit you can pick it up quite quickly.

[Surfesq]

Charlie: Exactly. In fact Adler Coles in his outstanding book, Heavy Weather Sailing, advocates practicing the skills he describes in safe conditions. The time to learn how to reef or spill wind is not in the middle of a blow.

[Surfesq]

...and the guy on the dock with the Crunch & Munch sails to the Carribean in his mind.

[Pirate's Booty]

I love those Sunfishes - I used to go out on those with my brothers too. Unfortunately, we moved to the mainland before I got to take one out on my own. Somehow the desire to sail just stays in your blood though - the water calls, you know what I mean?

I will definitely plan to start in light winds and move on from there. Ideally, I would like to be able to sail all the way to Catalina on a gusty day. Hopefully, I can pull that off before too long.

[Surfesq]

They are still totally fun to play around on. It sounds like you are a waterman (person) already so you have a sense of what the waves and winds will do. That only comes with spending time on the water. You will be fine.
By the way, have you seen the documentary about surfing with Laird Hamilton where they sail over 100 miles out to the offshore canyon and find perfect glassy 100' swells peeling off? You could do that!

[Pirate's Booty]

That sounds AWESOME - would love it! There are so many great spots out here - I wish I could leave work right now and get out on the water... I am thinking more and more of persuing my career as a mermaid - this office stuff stinks!