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I have sailed my boat 4 times now ( about 25 hours on a 27'' O''Day and 24 hrs on my 17'' O''Day Daysailor) and each time I get better but each time also shows me how much I have to learn. Aswe both know, reading about sailing and doing it are two different things at first. Its almost like I have to feel it first and do it to be able to say, "oh that''s what they mean in the BOOK"! Kind of reminds me of my college experience!
I am having two problems which I think are inter-related: Too much heeling, and poor sail trimming. The Daysailor has a lot of sail area for it''s size and I do not have reef points and I am trying to sail in 10++ knot winds... more like 15 knots. I am trying to sail alone. Jibes are real hairy because the jib sheet clamps are way up in the cockpit. It is hard to jibe right without letting go of the tiller but then things get a little hairy. Yes, I do NOT have a hiking arm yet. That would help. I also either have a lee helm or a weather helm. I can''t seem to get it balanced right to be somewhat neutral. I do try to keep it very close to the wind, not too close but pretty darn close as it seems easier to handle that way. Also I do have the main sheet out aways to de-power the sail. That also seems to help. And, I spend a lot of time following other boats to see what they are doing and it gives me some warning on wind conditions ahead.
I have come to the following conclusions:
1. The O''Day 17'' Daysailor is pretty high performance boat. At least, when I follow other boats bigger than me, they do not run away from me and sometimes I even pass them. But, this boat is a handful for a novice sailing solo.
2. I need to find an experienced sailor to get in the boat with me to teach me how to sail her properly.
3. If I do not do #2, I will probably drown!
Please comment on any of the above. I even can take constructive criticism pretty well for being 51 yrs old. Oh yes, I sail on a lake in Indianapolis, Indiana.
I am having two problems which I think are inter-related: Too much heeling, and poor sail trimming. The Daysailor has a lot of sail area for it''s size and I do not have reef points and I am trying to sail in 10++ knot winds... more like 15 knots. I am trying to sail alone. Jibes are real hairy because the jib sheet clamps are way up in the cockpit. It is hard to jibe right without letting go of the tiller but then things get a little hairy. Yes, I do NOT have a hiking arm yet. That would help. I also either have a lee helm or a weather helm. I can''t seem to get it balanced right to be somewhat neutral. I do try to keep it very close to the wind, not too close but pretty darn close as it seems easier to handle that way. Also I do have the main sheet out aways to de-power the sail. That also seems to help. And, I spend a lot of time following other boats to see what they are doing and it gives me some warning on wind conditions ahead.
I have come to the following conclusions:
1. The O''Day 17'' Daysailor is pretty high performance boat. At least, when I follow other boats bigger than me, they do not run away from me and sometimes I even pass them. But, this boat is a handful for a novice sailing solo.
2. I need to find an experienced sailor to get in the boat with me to teach me how to sail her properly.
3. If I do not do #2, I will probably drown!
Please comment on any of the above. I even can take constructive criticism pretty well for being 51 yrs old. Oh yes, I sail on a lake in Indianapolis, Indiana.