I have wanted to learn this technique for some time - mostly as a safety factor, in the event I am out sailing and my O/B fails or I am on my mooring and my O/B fails and I really, really want to go sailing, but also because it seems more enjoyable.
I finally completed the repairs to my O/B and tested it in a large bucket. All seems OK. I decided not to attach the O/B yesterday because my friend said "you really don't need it. It's more fun without it." I'm glad I took his advise. It was a great feeling to be able to sail off of the mooring without the noise of the O/B. We sailed part way out the channel did some tacks and jibes, etc. and then came back through the mooring field (yikkes
![Exclamation :!:](./images/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif)
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
This mooring field has very, very tight maneuvering. The sailboats are very close to each other. For example, when we boarded S/V Tadpole yesterday, the rudder of the sailboat in front of me (prevailing ESE winds) was 3 feet from my bow
![Exclamation :!:](./images/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif)
![Exclamation :!:](./images/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif)
Anyways, another rung of the sailing learning ladder climbed.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)