Moral Support

[Neil Gordon]

>>Every time i go out I still get that uneasy feeling when the boat begins to heel more than i think it should.<<

What's important is what the boat thinks. <g>

It's virtually impossible to capsize a keel boat from wind alone. The more she heels, the more wind spills out. If you can keep the ocean outside the cabin, the boat keeps on sailing.

Find a place where there's enough open water and not a lot of traffic, and a fair breeze... then *try* to bury the rail. Good luck! <g> You can always bail out by releasing the main sheet or letting go the tiller.

Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[John Dupras]

Walt,
Yes, I forgot to mention that. I do have a VHF radio. I wasn't in any real danger, I don't think, just not used to it at this point. By the way, we went out again this weekend, winds predicted to 10-15 northerly on the NOAA forecast, had the reefing ready, etc. Spent 3 and 1/2 hours in a flat dead calm, just zephyrs from the south, barley enough to raise the telltales. Had a good time watching the sea lions sleep on the channel marking bouys though! And it was really easy to eat lunch. I was going to name the boat after my wife (Eileen), but she really liked Mariah, so that's what she stayed. Thanks for all the information, and I plan on being out there a long time.

John



jdupras@wdcorp.com

[Peter Drake]

Hey:
I learned to sail on a 1971 Tanzer 14. Lake Champlain in autumn offers steady 20 knot winds; a handful when sailing alone or with inexperienced crew. Now, on my 1974 Cape Dory Typhoon Weekender I have a better understanding of dealing with weather and the boat's limitations. As a friend described sailing: "long periods of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror." It's all part of the challenge.

Hi - Looking for a little moral support. I am practically brand new to sailing, but in my first couple of classes just knew I had to have a boat. I bought an Intrepid 9M built by Cape Dory. Very pretty. Now for the moral support part. I went out this past weekend with my wife (also a novice), for the first time "alone". It was pretty gusty, about 15-20 on Puget Sound. I had te jib and main up. Got hit by a couple of gusts that heeled the boat over probably 15 degrees or so but seemed like more. I got nervous (don't laugh!!) I know that in theory, a 7700 pound boat with 3500 pounds of lead keel won't tip over in this wind, but my nerves didn't know it. I think I was really more nervous about falling off the boat than the boat going over. Anyway, I also blew out the main which ripped along a seam about 2/3 of the way up. How long does it take to get over that nervous feeling as the boat tips some. And are you sure it won't really go over??? Thanks for any moral support, explanations, jeers, what have you. I will go back out again, nerves or not....

John,

We have been there also, and I agree with what the other folks have said.

One thing about learning to heave-to: When you are out in 2-3 foot waves and you want to stop for awhile and assess your situation or have a bite to eat, it is amazing what will happen when you heave-to. You will swear that the waves have suddenly subsided to 1 foot! Then you you start sailing again, it will seem like they restart at 2-3 feet. Try it on a mild day until it becomes natural.

David

Thanks for all the support. I realize I was a little overmatched. It was 85 degrees, and that may hav lulled us a little. We sailed about an hour in the bay, and when we went out in the channel is when things got a little crazy. I took the main in today to be looked at and the sailmaker(a great guy at Sailmakers Loft in Edgewood WA) said it's the original (20 years old) and pretty tired. He can fix it and says it'll be good to learn on. He can build me a brand new one with 2 sets of reefs, a jackline and all for about a grand. That's a pretty good savings over some of the name brand places I've talked to and he has a 2 year no questions asked guarentee. Maybe for Christmas this year . I also have a weather radio, good foul weather gear, and a few experience points. I'll keep you posted as the sail will be ready by Friday and I plan on going out again this weekend. Thanks again for all your support.

John and Eileen

pdrake@together.net

[John Dupras]

Thanks for the support. Where abouts on Lake Champlain. I grew up just outside Plattsburgh NY. Lived there until I was 19 and joined Uncle Sams Navy. Probably spent more time on the Lake ice fishing than boating though.

John
Mariah Intrepid 9M #34



jdupras@wdcorp.com