Traci a became a true sailor yesterday. We were out for a day sail today, about 15 miles from home, when we tacked in what we thought was a channel entrance. As we were part way through the tack, the sail wrapped around the headstay and didn't fill full.We were in Irons. The current pushed us into the channel and then past it. The next thing I noticed was the depth gauge at 2.3 feet, and we weren't moving. With the throttle pushed down and the wheel hard to starboard, we got the boat turned around and aimed in the right direction, but we still weren't moving. The sail was now off the port side and as full as it would get, Traci went forward and came over to the port stays and hung out as far as she could I grabbed the wheel and hung off the port side too. With a good puff of wind at the right moment, we started to move. I didn't even notice it at first, but Traci said we were moving. As I looked off towards the bridge, I could see that we were indeed moving. Within a minute, we were back in the main channel and cruising again. As I turned and looked back, I could see a group of people on a dock, that was a couple hundred yards from where we were grounded, watching the whole event. Our hearts were racing, as we sailed off. It felt really good to get out of the situation without any help. Of course, there wasn't a boat in sight if we would have needed more help. I've been in the same type of situation before, but this was a first for Traci. She didn't jump off the boat and run when we got back to our slip, so I think she'll make a good sailor.
Oh well, just another day sailing.
Dave
