Sailing 101 - The First Day without the motor

[K9Kampers]

- - - requiring lowering the mast to retrieve it.

Because you gave the person who let go of it two choices...walk the plank or climb the mast...(SPLASH!)...

[puggsy]

Following on from what Pokerick said...the very first thing you teach ANY new hand is to NEVER LET GO OF ANY ROPE THEY ARE HANDED...UNTIL told to by the skipper...moi...

[Andy hipetrol]

Daydreamer I've owned my M for about 4 months everytime out gets easier I promise. Cross wind shoved me into another sailboat while launching first time. First time out of slip cross wind shoved me in other sailboats in slip. (now I back totally out past all of the sailboats and then turn and go forward) Last time out my sailing friend lost the Geneoa sheet in heavy winds and port and starboard lines wrapped around each other about thirty times all the while the Geneoa just blowing off the bow of boat. Later that day same friend while rolling the Geneoa on the furler did not leave the line in the cleat and I went to start the engine in the dark and it would start and then die when I put it in gear. Finallly determined Geneoa line was wrapped around prop.

But there are days when the winds is blowing hard out of the south and you have only the Genoea out and the wind pulls you north and all is right with the world.

My main is rigged so it can be raised and lowered from the cockpit, but if you have someone else pull the main line up while you look at the mast you will see that there are all kinds of things for the line to get hung up on before the main sail line gets to the top of the mast. Usually for me when the main does not go up all of the way the line which raises the main is usually hung up on something on the mast. Sometimes my reefing lines get pulled tight when I am not watching they run to the cockpit and they keep the main from going all of the way to the top.

Even when practicing always leave some time for just chilling because I believe sailing is like golf it is always enjoyable but never truly mastered.

[tangentair]

Andy
Well said, .... just relax and sail and if the crew complains or criticizes, leave them home and go your self, with sailing unlike power boating it is about the journey not the destination.

[pokerrick1]

11 to go Tang

Rick

[Mistral]

Pokerrick wrote

Puggsy;

You are coorect, of course, that the actual switch is in the console - - - the plastic thingy on the lanyard is just a part. However, my engine (and those Macs around me) (ALL are E-Tecs by the way), can all be started without pulling out and engaging the switch. If you have the key, you can start my boat without the thingy.

Rick Smile MacGregor 26M

I have today tested my E-tec engine and found the same as Pokerrick. You do not have the thingemedingy installed to start the engine. Just insert the key and turn it and the engine will start. I'd prefer to install the thingemedingy though, as I find the switch in an awkward position.