nicho
Well-known member
Some of you may know that we recently switched from power boats, and are the proud owners of our first sailing boat. Having done a week's course with Southern Sailing, and been allowed to helm 'Jimi's' boat a couple of days, we decided to employ the services of a professional sailing instructor last week to live aboard for three days of tuition. We have been out several times on our own, but deliberately in light winds, and as SHMBO has had no previous experience of sailing (though lots on motor boats), it was agreed she would do most of the helming, including the close quarter stuff..... Oh, my beautiful new boat!!
Secretly praying for gentle winds again, I should not have been surprised to wake on day 1 to Westerly F4/5's. We nevertheless had a great sail down Southampton Water with about 60% of the sail up, storming along at a pleasant 5/6 knots. Rounding Calshot, we headed for Newtown Creek, but passing the Gurnard Buoy, we were confronted by a jet black sky, and a wall of rain heading our way. "OK" said our instructor (normally the skipper of some 60 foot, Round the World thing), lets practice heaving to!!. What, in this weather? Oh well, modern oilies are very good aren't they. Then, a huge flash of lightening and winds suddenly up to F7 in the gusts, sent us scurrying back downwind to the shelter of Cowes for lunch - heaving to would have to wait.
The Mrs was not sure about all this, with the boat hammering down wind under headsail alone, and water flying everywhere in the wind against tide situation!! Nevertheless, the squall passed, and with nerves calmed after lunch at East Cowes Marina we set off for Portsmouth. A lively downwind run to Gilkicker, really flying along in winds now mainly F6 was quite exhillerating, and even the other half, now the self appointed skipper, was beginning to enjoy it. The evening was spent in Port Solent, with the wife doing all the boat handling, lock and all,
The next day saw winds of F4, which gave us a great sail back towards Cowes, anchoring in Osborne Bay for lunch in glorious sunshine, before spending the night in Mercury Marina on the Hamble. My hands were by now in a sorry state, (no sailing gloves - since rectified), and my muscles ached from the constant tacking and winch work, as we were unmercifully put through our paces by the instructor - it was relentless stuff.
Our final day was taken up with more close quarter stuff, springing off, ferry gliding, mooring, stemming the tide etc, before heading out into Southampton Water for practice of MOB proceedures, and yet more heaving to, mainly done with the good lady at the helm, with me doing it a couple of times as a refresher.
Finally, we arrived back at Hythe Marina, with the now (very definitely) SWMBO taking the boat safely into the lock (with a strong spring tide ebbing across the entrance!), before finally putting it securely into our berth, without touching anything!! Was she pleased with herself?? You betcha!! - she spent the next couple of hours walking around with a VERY big grin on her face.
The whole experience was very good for both of us. Beforehand, we looked for excuses not to go out, now we can't wait to go out on our own again, confident that we can handle most "normal" situations, and not (too) fearful of the winds suddenly getting up.....! We still have a huge amount to learn, but we are really beginning to feel a bit more like sailors now!! Isn't it great fun!
Trust I havn't bored you too much with this drivel....
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Secretly praying for gentle winds again, I should not have been surprised to wake on day 1 to Westerly F4/5's. We nevertheless had a great sail down Southampton Water with about 60% of the sail up, storming along at a pleasant 5/6 knots. Rounding Calshot, we headed for Newtown Creek, but passing the Gurnard Buoy, we were confronted by a jet black sky, and a wall of rain heading our way. "OK" said our instructor (normally the skipper of some 60 foot, Round the World thing), lets practice heaving to!!. What, in this weather? Oh well, modern oilies are very good aren't they. Then, a huge flash of lightening and winds suddenly up to F7 in the gusts, sent us scurrying back downwind to the shelter of Cowes for lunch - heaving to would have to wait.
The Mrs was not sure about all this, with the boat hammering down wind under headsail alone, and water flying everywhere in the wind against tide situation!! Nevertheless, the squall passed, and with nerves calmed after lunch at East Cowes Marina we set off for Portsmouth. A lively downwind run to Gilkicker, really flying along in winds now mainly F6 was quite exhillerating, and even the other half, now the self appointed skipper, was beginning to enjoy it. The evening was spent in Port Solent, with the wife doing all the boat handling, lock and all,
The next day saw winds of F4, which gave us a great sail back towards Cowes, anchoring in Osborne Bay for lunch in glorious sunshine, before spending the night in Mercury Marina on the Hamble. My hands were by now in a sorry state, (no sailing gloves - since rectified), and my muscles ached from the constant tacking and winch work, as we were unmercifully put through our paces by the instructor - it was relentless stuff.
Our final day was taken up with more close quarter stuff, springing off, ferry gliding, mooring, stemming the tide etc, before heading out into Southampton Water for practice of MOB proceedures, and yet more heaving to, mainly done with the good lady at the helm, with me doing it a couple of times as a refresher.
Finally, we arrived back at Hythe Marina, with the now (very definitely) SWMBO taking the boat safely into the lock (with a strong spring tide ebbing across the entrance!), before finally putting it securely into our berth, without touching anything!! Was she pleased with herself?? You betcha!! - she spent the next couple of hours walking around with a VERY big grin on her face.
The whole experience was very good for both of us. Beforehand, we looked for excuses not to go out, now we can't wait to go out on our own again, confident that we can handle most "normal" situations, and not (too) fearful of the winds suddenly getting up.....! We still have a huge amount to learn, but we are really beginning to feel a bit more like sailors now!! Isn't it great fun!
Trust I havn't bored you too much with this drivel....
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