Set the Sails!

[Love MACs]

I have been complaining about the beautiful days with too high winds for a somewhat inexperienced sailor. Well the worm turned today With Winds projected at 5-10 and 70 deg temps the Admiral and I headed out about 10am. Got to the Marina in 10 min but spent the next 30 min helping the wife "arrange the cabin". "U can't sail with a messy cabin"...I didn't know that But in fact she had a point of making sure things did not fly about down below on serious tacks. Spent the next 45 min or so talking to slip mates and sight seers and actually giving one tour (if you could call it that).

At last on the water, warm sun, small breeze, as we motored out of the bay and onto the lake. Ran to the middle of the lake, pointed her (boat not the Admiral) into the wind and put the engine in idle. At last we Hoisted the Main. Turned off the wind and...just sat there Figured a little Genny would help, so unfurled about half of our 150. And...We move We actually moved. Not far, not much, but we sailed. Wife looked at me like..."it that all there is?" And truth be told that was about it. Winds couldn't have been blowing more than 5 mph, so what did that put us at? Maybe 2-3mph? I could not tell exactly as my GPS decided not to work today.

We played with the sheets, taught her a few things about furling and unfurling jib. We lowered and raised the Main twice for practice and experience. We even tacked a couple times so she could get the feel of leading the Genny across the bow. All this while barely making a wake. Even had the Genny full out. After a couple hours the winds did blow in gust of maybe, maybe 10 mph or so. And we had a couple good runs for about 20 min each. And we both thoroughly enjoyed that. Wife smiling ear to ear says "bet we could have handled those 30 mph winds" Sure honey I tried to explain the difference and the healing factor but I seriously think she wants to try I told her we would work up to that.

We just had a great day in general. Finally put down the sails and just motored for a few hours exploring various coves. Funnest thing, we ran out of gas 100 yrs or so from the Marina when returning. That was only in the one six gal tank, but you should have seen her face. Thought we were had.

Here are a few pics in PB. Hope you enjoy, we did.

Allan

http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad28 ... 0_2907.jpg

[nedmiller]

What a great start! Don't get too impatient and head for those 30 mph winds too quickly!!
There is nothing better than a beautiful day, perfect winds, and a great sailing partner!
SILK

[Doug W]

Sounds like a great time, Allan! I'm envious. I sat in front of a computer screen all day.

Thanks for the link to the pics! I enjoy seeing everyone's setups and adventures! At this point, my grand adventure of sailing up to the tebo islands at a local lake this weekend is going to be rained out-- but our bags will be packed and ready just in case!

Cheers!

Doug

[Kelly Hanson East]

congrats Alan - remember that sailing in 5 kts of wind is the HARDEST thing to do and the toughest on a beginner...ideally you want 10-15 kts to power up the boat and learn about sail trim.

[Deeseas]

Even with no wind, sitting on the boat in the middle of a lake on a beatiful day with the one you love ( and your wife ) is better than any day at work.
Doug

[curtis from carlsbad]

Congratulations on the fun sail ! Dreamchaser looks like She's in excellent condition (like new)- have a great sailing season!- Curtis

[c130king]

Allan,

Congrats and great pics. Don't complain about not enough wind for your first few times. Lots of experience to be gained just by doing the simple things with out any complications. Getting in and out of the slip, raising the sails, tacking/gybing, etc... all those things are probably best practiced a few times while there is very little wind to complicate or add to the degree of difficulty.

If I might make a recommendation. Practice reefing once or twice in very light winds before you find yourself in 20 knots and have to reef and you are finding it difficult to keep everything under control while you are doing it.

Congrats again and thanks for the pics.

Cheers,
Jim (* still stranded in London without my boat ... *)

[FLembo18]

Dream Chaser is looking mighty fine, hope you get that GPS unit up and running . Glad you had a great day on the water.

Frank L.

[pmcco]

At lest you got to go out on your boat, I got mine last weekend and have to wait until next weekend to take her out. I did rig it in the back yard and played with the sails while my brother made sea sounds.
Patrick

[FLembo18]

At lest you got to go out on your boat, I got mine last weekend and have to wait until next weekend to take her out. I did rig it in the back yard and played with the sails while my brother made sea sounds.
Patrick

YO ! Patrick, can I borrow your brother for 2 weeks ?

Frank L.

[bubba]

I guess were lucky our first 4 day and night weekend on our M this year was the middle of January when it warmed up to 36 deg F the Walrus furnice is nice and warm and My wife and I take turns sailing and warming.