First sail.. I would rather go to the dentist!

These are some of the reasons why we now keep the boat in commission all year. Frankly much much less work and hassle, and IMHO much less wear and tear removing and reattaching everything.
Plus routine maintenance much better done during the warm weather, whereas sailing can be fine in sunny but cold weather.
 
I managed to go to the dentist yesterday morning and get my first sail yesterday evening! Dentist found no new problems and the first sail went well until we hoisted the spinnaker. Somehow the foredeck crew (new to the boat) managed to get the sheet round the guardwires twice once ahead of the stanchion and once behind. Everything else worked and nothing got broken.
 
I don't get this thread. I'd go sailing with the tooth ace.

I couldn't wait for my first sail. In my new boat.
boat was put in water by yard after some work on keel and some through hulls.
yard owner and I checked for leaks.
Battery's flat had to organise jump start.
After delay of we went off for a pleasant early evening sail.
Haven't had a chance to get back out.
Curently frustrated waiting for the time off to the delivery home.
 
dylanwinter said:
what is it with you guys

i can't wait to get afloat

simple boat is the secret

so few things to go wrong

back to basics lads

D
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Dylan,

it's nothing to do with setting up the boat, I enjoy that anyway; it's something to do with the hassle of cranes and hoists, and the perceived pressure of being in someone elses' control and running to a schedule, I think.
 
I find the first sail of the season cranks me up for two basic reasons

1. Its a shakedown cruise which quickly finds anything wrong as a result of the winter work - or simply just winter inactivity.
2. For some reason, despite all my experience, the first sail of the season as skipper fills me with anxiety until I have cleared port, the wind is in the sails, and everything is in balance.
 
chinita said:
Just make sure that the first time you 'sheet' (the rope attached to the big flappy thing at the pointy end) in the genoa (the aforementioned big flappy thing), the sheet is turned the right way around the winch (the nice spinning silver drum like thingies on the side of your cockpit).

If you don't, like me, you will look very silly tugging and grunting on the locked winch.
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Plenty of people give the winch a spin by hand first to check which way round it goes.

The same people seem to have no problem spinning a gin bottle top in the opening direction first time, though...

Mike.
 
As a long time dinghy sailor on lakes, now in a small yacht on a river crammed with moored boats and tides I get "the fear". That same fear that Dylan experienced on heading out from the Broads back to the sea.

As soon as I let go that buoy, all hell could break loose. What if I mess up and hit someone's boat? What if the wind dies, or swings around to an inconvenient direction? What if I run aground on a falling tide? What if the engine dies? What if....? All utterly daft fears. Nothing is that bad and there are countless other people nearby on the river to lend a hand if I was really in trouble, but it still plays on the mind.

The cure I've found is to just get on with it.
 
mjcoon said:
Plenty of people give the winch a spin by hand first to check which way round it goes.

The same people seem to have no problem spinning a gin bottle top in the opening direction first time, though...

Mike.
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My winches run sheet outside, so the starboard one is clockwise and the port one is anti-clockwise. Always worth checking on an unfamiliar boat or if you have a short memory from season to season!
 
parsifal said:
Always remember to unlash the tiller before you reverse out of the berth. :o

(Although with a Twister it doesn't make much difference what you do with the tiller when going astern)
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Been there, done that - though it doesn't make much difference on a Vega either.

Another handy start of season tip is to make sure the engine will go into gear before dropping the mooring . . .

- W
 
sailorman said:
I have just been to the dentist & very nice she is too.
In fact she wants to see me again as well, cant wait
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Years ago, new dentist, says hygienist first, OK. She had a large bosom, I lay back and thought of England, the lady bumps were that big that she rested them on my head as she worked! Like two big warm pillows! I liked going to the hygienist after that!
Stu
 
Being hoisted out is stressful, that said the people who operate the crane where you are seriously know what they're doing - it was effortless! Hope it goes as smoothly for you as it did for us, can't wait to get underway tomorrow :)
 
webcraft said:
Been there, done that - though it doesn't make much difference on a Vega either.

Another handy start of season tip is to make sure the engine will go into gear before dropping the mooring . . .

- W
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Prop walk is so useful my first marina manurver was an eyeopener,now if possible I manhandle the boat till its pointing in the right direction!
 
Engine serviced, boat out and anti-fouled in a day ( thanks for all them who helped). Back in and still afloat.... soon time to leave.
not yet though.. big winds Sunday.
 
Great news, I not the only one here who prevaricates on the shake down.
Light North winds today, no rain and all systems overhauled.
No more excuses. :rolleyes:
 
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