Learning to Sail

[DawnS]

Paul and I are planning to do the WaterTribe EC next year in our CS20.  This year I did it in my kayak, and it was a tough year for me - see my latest blog posting on my recovery, www.sandybottomkayaker.blogspot.com

To do the EC in our sailboat, means I have to learn to sail, and learn to like it.  It is really important to me to know how, and not just be crew.  So far, what I like is going out in 5kt winds   You can put me in my kayak in surf and I know what to do, but put me in a sailboat with any degree of heeling and I'm scared to death and in my panic I can't even figure out which direction the wind is coming from.

Yesterday we were out on the lake (missed you Ken), winds were 9-12, and a bit gusty.  I had a few uncomfortable moments, but overall it was a good afternoon.  The Carolina Sailing Club was out there warming up for a big race they have today.  I must say it was fun having the Flying Scotts and Tanzers all trying to chase us down, and not able to catch us.

I think we've decided I can get lots of great practice with Paul, but possibly need to seek lessons from another (Ken you up for this?).  Even though I don't know what I'm doing, together, it's like having 2 captains in the same boat.  We'll have to work that out before next year

Dawn

[Tom Lathrop]

My first real sailboat experience came as a crew in a Windmill at Kerr Lake in a race, followed by my first experience as a skipper.  In my opinion, there is no better way to learn the fundamentals of sailing than small boat racing.  Join the Carolina Sailing Club and, assuming they have a handicap fleet, race there when you can. 

I used to revel in the times when I could beat Flying Scots too.  While we more often than not were looking for wind rather than trying to hide from it, many of the most exhilarating (frightening) days were also there and many were in thunderstorms.  I remember our first capsize rounding the leeward mark in a boat without floatation.  We put out the anchor, bailed with a bucket until the water in the boat allowed me to get back in and continue bailing until we could sail again.  On the way to the beach, Liz said "If that is the worst that can happen, I'm fine".  That was the best outcome of the day.

[Ken_Potts]

  Hi Dawn,

  As long as you're not looking for lessons about how to sail faster than somebody else I'm up for it.  ;D  I'll be at Vista Point around noon so feel free to come along if you have the time.  I would call but I can't find your number.

  If you're too busy today we can go out on another day when the wind is actually blowing.

  There should be plenty of opportunity next weekend too...

[Tom Lathrop]

Anyone looking for a little wind should be here on the Neuse River today.  Blowing 35 to 40 with gusts higher.  Everybody is hiding as well as they can.

[Howard]

Dawn:

I take it from your post that you already have the CS20? If so, you already have the solution to your problem, and a whole year to prepare. In this you have a big advantage over most, as you have already done part of the course so you know what you are up against.

What seems to be the issue is getting comfortable with the motion and characteristics of a sailboat. If you fear heeling, what is the worst that could happen? A capsize? Take her out and try your best to intentionally dump her. You may find it's harder than you think, but even if you do, recover, get her upright and bailed out and do it again. You may find out it's not as big a problem as you think. Uncomfortable, and inconvenient, but not that big of a deal.

Beyond that, go out as often as you can in all kinds of weather. Find what you and the boat can take. How to hove to, how to throttle down in big wind, how to get best speed in light wind and how to prepare yourself and your gear to get you through it. Find what you need and what you don't need. If you stock it like a kayak vs. the Queen Elizabeth you will be ahead of the field from the start. Find a way to get some sleep, while keeping dry and out of the wind (perhaps a bivy sac?

That and look into sculling oars vs. a pair of rowing oars. Even a lightweight should be able to get one knot of boat speed out of a proper sculling oar, for long periods of time with less effort than rowing.

[ecgossett]

Do any detailed sailing guides exist online for Cat Ketch's?? The only one I've found is the one at B&B Yachts. Google search never turns up anything... It seems that for anything except sloops, and hobie cats any other kinds of sailing rigs are on their own.

[PAR]

I think there are two good ways to learn how to sail. The easiest is to go out with some one who's experienced. The second is buy a package of sail "Tell Tails" and study the instructions that come with them. You'll learn more about sail trim and how to adjust for it then any book.

Sailing is quite intuitive, your body natural will figure things out. Of course doing it better then a fleet of similar boats, in order to win a race requires lots of practice, but the sailing part is easy enough. Go out in moderate wind strengths and practice. You'll be an old pro by the end of the season. Okay, maybe not, but certainly more comfortable, which is the whole point. Rig types don't really matter all that much (not on a basic level anyway), so what you learn on a sloop is the same information you need on a cat ketch.

[Jim_Ral]

Initially, I learned to sail on a Sunfish many moons ago.  It was all pretty much self-taught and through reading.  However, last year I took the basic keelboat course at the Oriental School of Sailing and it was very good at filling in the gaps.  How one learns to sail appears to vary greatly.  However, formal instructions with a set course outline can be good.  Also, I think Lake Wheeler has sailing lessons that specifically seem to be geared for racing.

I thought about going out today....but work has been crazy and I needed the weekend rest.

[bfeller]

My first real sailboat experience came as a crew in a Windmill at Kerr Lake in a race, followed by my first experience as a skipper.  In my opinion, there is no better way to learn the fundamentals of sailing than small boat racing.  Join the Carolina Sailing Club and, assuming they have a handicap fleet, race there when you can. 

I used to revel in the times when I could beat Flying Scots too.  While we more often than not were looking for wind rather than trying to hide from it, many of the most exhilarating (frightening) days were also there and many were in thunderstorms.  I remember our first capsize rounding the leeward mark in a boat without floatation.  We put out the anchor, bailed with a bucket until the water in the boat allowed me to get back in and continue bailing until we could sail again.  On the way to the beach, Liz said "If that is the worst that can happen, I'm fine".  That was the best outcome of the day.

My first lessons in sailing came after completing my Spindrift 10.  They came when sailing in class races with folks like Tom Lathrop, Graham and Jim Brown.  However, I was never able to keep up with them to gain any experience.   I lost every race except the last one.  That one involved a handicap race with a reverse start based on handicap, with the intent that everyone would cross the finish line at pretty much the same time.  I either won because the rest of the fleet held back - or because the wind died just a few yards short of me finishing.  Whatever it was - I was tickled pink.  It win was likely because of the latter - those guys wer eto competitive to give away a win.  I moved away after that season and sorely miss the chance to watch and participate in those races.  It was fun.  I would absolutely agree with Tom in joining the club.  Those races were a lot of fun and my experience in the Spindrift helped me handle the mainsail for friend when I got to crew on a larger sailboat.  The experience cemented my transition from being a power boater to one that enjoys sails.  At this time, I would only consider owning a power boat that would take me off the coast of NC for scuba diving.  The cost of owning a boat like that can't beat the price of paying for space on a true dive boat. 

[Ken_Potts]

  I've been thinking about this a lot Dawn, and here's what I've come up with:  First you should go out to the coast and get in a day or so of sailing in conditions that make you uncomfortable (wind and whitecaps), then you should top it off with a leisurely sail in light airs at Jordan Lake to regain some confidence and put a smile back on your face.  After that you should be bombarded with sailing invitations so you can pick and choose your weather.  Somewhere in there if you take a course or join a club that's good too, but the main thing is to get out often in various conditions and you'll find that you're just getting more comfortable in more wind and looking forward more to windy days.  ;D

[Oyster]

   I've been thinking about this a lot Dawn, and here's what I've come up with:  First you should go out to the coast and get in a day or so of sailing in conditions that make you uncomfortable (wind and whitecaps), then you should top it off with a leisurely sail in light airs at Jordan Lake to regain some confidence and put a smile back on your face.  After that you should be bombarded with sailing invitations so you can pick and choose your weather.  Somewhere in there if you take a course or join a club that's good too, but the main thing is to get out often in various conditions and you'll find that you're just getting more comfortable in more wind and looking forward more to windy days.  ;D

I can't tell you if we will get five days on the water this week. BUt for sure tommorrow is on tap as a starting point...................................for me and the outstanding Captain! She who must be obeyed is off all week for reasons thats immaterial and not important at this point. ;D I will report back on the conditions that we find and let you know if they have finally mellowed a bit from gale warnings for the last three months.

[DawnS]

I just need a couple days of catch up, then I will post our weekend trip report, (Ken, Mike, Paul and I).  Probably not the best way to learn to sail, or to learn to like it, small craft warnings, double reefed, headwinds in shallow canals, etc.....  But I lived to tell about it   If your in coastal NC, you'll know this past weekend was not a good time to be on the water, but we tried.

Dawn

[DawnS]

Last Sunday was a beautiful afternoon sailing on Lake Jordan. It was warm, sunny, and with nice mild winds (3 kts). Except for leaving and returning to the dock, I was Captain of the day, and had a great time sailing our Core Sound 20, the Dawn Patrol. Our friend Ken and his sailing pal Mike also had a great time, despite the low winds as Ken spent the afternoon playing with his new staysail on his Core Sound 17, SouthBound .

But our sailing earlier in the weekend at the Coast was a very different experience....

I've posted a trip report: www.sandybottomkayaker.blogspot.com

Dawn

[Oyster]

Hurump,,,,,,,,,That was a nice account of your trip with the selected few and "down to the narwtherd" Dawn  .  But What are we castaways or chopped liver? I mean you were right outside our door and sailed right on by with not even a toot. : :'(

[Hirilonde]

What a great account Dawn.  It was a pleasure to read. 

It is stuff like that which will provide the lessons you seek.  Push yourself a little, to the point of being a bit uncomfortable but not miserable.  That is when real learning occurs and confidence is built. 

I want to move down that way.  My sailing season is too short!!

[DawnS]

Very rude of us to be sure.  The trip was a last minute decision only made about 5 days in advance, Ken didn't even commit till a day or two before, and with the holiday weekend we really didn't think to bother anyone.

Sorry, we won't make that mistake again either

Dawn

[Ken_Potts]

  Dawn - Thanks for being nice when you wrote about me.  You didn't tell anybody that I hid in my truck and cried myself to sleep Friday night when the lightning came through.

  Oyster - It was a mad dash for the water on the way out there but I had intended to at least suggest getting together with you for dinner on the way home.  Then I forgot to bring your phone number and we ended up going the wrong way on Sunday etc...

  We could have had chopped liver for dinner if you wanted it but I would have preferred fish.  ;D

[Doug Cameron]

Hello Dawn

There are a few pieces of advice that have kept me going.  First, hold onto the main sheet when it gets gusty.  Letting loose of the main will allow you to recover from almost anything.

Put tell tales on the sails if you don't have them (I'm sure Alan did this) and learn how to read them.

Finally, follow the advice to capsize the boat at least once when the lake gets warm.  Empty it of fragile stuff and sail it till it turns over.  To right her, let go of the sheets, one person (with the throwable cushion if nearby) goes to the mast top to prevent turtling.  The other stants on the centerboard, and she should come right up.  Try it the first time at a shallow calm beach if you have one available.

Beyond that, you've said it already -- it's time at the tiller.  Get confident enough that you can sail while Paul sleeps in moderate conditions.

[Oyster]

Thats okay guys, I will alert some of the local knowledge guys that transit that area to be on the lookout for you on your next trip. ;D

[DawnS]

I want/need to get confident enough not only to sail while Paul sleeps, but to be able to pick him up if he falls overboard and I'm left alone on the boat

We are definetly planning a capsize drill.  But I wondered if we didn't want to do it fully rigged, but not really sailing.  If we force a capsize while sailing, do we risk breaking something accidently?  Of course it might be hard to get it to capsize.

Dawn