Getting edgy!

[nicho]

I have spent many days/weeks at sea in my 12 metre motor cruiser, all along the South Coast, and across to the Channel Islands etc, but having switched from power to sail at the ripe old age of 59, and with my new sailing boat only 6 weeks away, I'm starting to get a bit edgy!!. I've done a 5 day sailing course with Southern Sailing in September, (excellent), got my Day Skipper (sail and power), and I've also had a couple of days at sea helming similar boats belonging to (well qualified) friends and acquaintences.

However, reading some of the posts on this forum, I am increasingly aware of how little I know about the technicalities of sailing - others here wax lyrical about pre- mast bend, rigging tension, various aspects of heavy weather sailing etc, and are so obviously experienced - and I am full of envy.

As the hour of my boats' arrival approaches, I must confess to being somewhat nervous about raising my OWN sails for the first time. This feeling of awe is however, tinged with excitement at the prospect of helming my own sailing boat - after 10 years of motor boat ownership I am totally hooked on the silence and sheer fun of sailing.

I do intend to have a professional with us for our first few days of ownership, and will go on to take other training etc, but I now catch myself "practising" such things as springing off, heaving to, MOB proceedures etc, over and over in my mind!! Sad or what!.

I just want to get out there, start slowly in gentle weather, and build up our experience - why you might ask am I posting such nonsence? I guess it's all part of my therapy, but the wait is starting to get to me Guys!!

 

[wishbone]

Hi Nicho
good luck with your new boat ! I am not a fan of diesel guzzlers; the whole point of sailing in my mind is using natural power. I have returned a yacht from two weeks use on holiday and only used a pint or so of fuel. I think after 10 years of power boating you have a lot of experience under your belt, than some young flighty getting in the sea miles to get bits of paper in the shortest possible time, I know who I would rather sail with!! Same go’s for scuba diving you cant beat experience over a period of time, as reactions are just there! When things go wrong.

Wishbone

 

[Guest]

Although I am still 18 years away from being 59, I, my wife and a friend bought a 30 footer in March this year. First we learnt a lot about paint stripping and then we learnt a lot about sailing.

After a couple of weekends messing about round and round in circles outside the harbour off we went.

There's always going to be someone out there who knows more than you and makes your experiences look like you could fail a cycling proficiency test, but you just have to look at the professionals (Tricolor) to know that even they can cock up!

Don't panic. Point yourself out of the marina and off you go. If you've got Day Skipper then you know the pointy end from the bit with the rudder on it. Stay safe, think safe and read the weather forecasts.

I did and had a very happy 2002 going all over the damn place. If you don't do it, you won't learn. The worst that can happen is that the kids will get there inheritance a bit early!

 

[LadyInBed]

Re: Diving

I couldn’t agree more, the rot set in when all the 'Dive Schools' sprang up turning out instant Divers after a week or a fortnight's course.
To my mind, the only way to ensure a cool controlled reaction to a situation is by total familiarity with the equipment and lots of practice using it, as no one can have previous experience of ALL situations that might be thrown at them.

 

[Sybarite]

Good luck with the new boat. In a week you will wonder what all the fuss was about. The rest is just perfecting the basic skills.

If I have one (or two) bit(s) of advice, plan your actions ahead and think them through. Give yourself time eg don't leave reefing or taking the sails down to the last minute.

If it gets a bit much you can point into the wind and slack the sheets while you give yourself a little bit of thinking time; or simply heave to. ie tack and don't release your foresail sheet. It's wonderful how quiet everything suddenly becomes. You also need to know that you probably won't have the same stopping power with your engine in a docking situation so do it nice and gently.

 

[aod]

It sounds to me that you are a very sensible guy with a sound approach.

Racing sailors aside I suspect not many people really understand mast tensions and racing and cruising sailors alike largely put it in the hands of a competent rigger.
I knew a guy once who thought that the D1s or (diagonal lowers) on his fractional rig with runners were to loose so he tightened them up to take out the slack. When the mast came under load it inverted (because the D1s were to tight) and he lost the rig!
Another guy re-rigged with wire but he thought the old stuff looked a bit thin so he increased the diameter of the new wire..................result!....... He increased the compression load on the base of the deck stepped mast and after a short period it depressed costing him a bucket load of dosh to have it repaired.

Moral........................................stick with your sensible approach and have many long and happy hours sailing.

 

[snowleopard]

key tip

take things at your own pace and check the weather before you go. think each manoever through before starting it. if you have to run on deck or shout at the crew you didn't think it through properly. set yourself little tasks and enjoy the satisfaction of getting it right.

 

[poter]

Re: Diving & sailing

Nigel I agree 100% re diving I have over 600 dives under my belt but all in warm water, I would not dream of diving in the channel without a very experienced buddy. The same must be said for sailing, there will always be the unexpected situation and as long as you have common sense and do not go beyond your experience limits you should be safe.


poter

 

[petery]

I joined an active sailing club and was advised to start by doing everything slowly; in daylight; at slack water (the Arun can run at over 6 knots !) and in familiar surroundings.

I then went on a two or three club cruises, keeping company - and radio contact - with a couple of more experienced skippers.

They were kind enough to slow down, stay close and observe the things I did wrong - and, they admitted, they had done wrong when they started!

Much better than having them sailing with me on my boat.

After this gentle start, I found that the only thing that then terrified me (and still does!) was entering a strange harbour or marina and making a fool of myself eg by taking up a private pontoon berth - but as you've probably already visited many ports in your motor cruiser this wouldn't be a problem for you.

 

[wishbone]

Re: Diving & sailing

Sailing & Diving off the Humber and east coast can be pretty grim, but as long as you get wet it’s worth the effort.

Wishbone
it's a diving sailing thing!

 

[ean_p]

Re: Diving & sailing

Nooooooo diving off the Humber is some of the best in the world when the vis is good!!!....and when Bridlington comes into being the sailing will be pretty damn good too!!!....

 

[seahorse]

Re: Diving & sailing

I must disagree, the diving is certainly better furthe north, having dived "Brid" to isle of May.
Agree totally on the other comments tho.
Take Ur exp & build on it.
I started dragging an inflatable across the sands to dive, did various courses ( Ribs & Inst. etc) moved on to a sailing dingy& now have a 26ft er. Nice to appreciate many of the different aspects of the sea...

 

[seahorse]

Re: Getting edgy! another tip!

If U think things are starting to get a bit beyond your capabilities when sailing try lowering the sails & treating your yacht as a slow motor boat. I know that this may be heresy to some folk but better to make haste slowly. As we used to say in diving " there are bold divers & old divers but there arn't any old bold divers!". i think it is all about appreciation really. U have a lot going 4U.
Bon voyage & fair winds!

 

[vyv_cox]

Good advice

Joining a club and going sailing with others is a good way to start, that's how we began cruising. Although we had many years of dinghy sailing under our belts we were completely new to any bigger type of boat. We were able to obtain advice before setting off and kept in radio contact during several short trips around the Anglesey coast. Our first summer cruise was in company with three or more other boats and included overnights, strong tidal passages and some very dodgy weather. Throughout we were given lots of assistance on every yachting subject without any pushiness. For several subsequent years we enjoyed "cruises in company" all over the Irish Sea. We have always been grateful to those fellow club members for providing a fast track to cruising and we would certainly never have been so adventurous since without it.

 

[wishbone]

Re: Diving & sailing

My comparison was to the answer “warm water” say 5am April morning Humber, 5am Sandy Cay BVI’s. Hornsey Long Benton, Vera K Cyprus. Although one of my favourite shore dives is St Abb’s, Am sorry to admit it I do like the Humber very peacefull at Spurn Head

Wishbone

 

[wishbone]

Re: Diving & sailing

My comparison was to the answer “warm water” say 5am April morning Humber, 5am Sandy Cay BVI’s. Hornsey Long Benton, Vera K Cyprus. Although one of my favourite shore dives is St Abb’s, Am sorry to admit it I do like the Humber very peacefull at Spurn Head

Wishbone

 

[chas]

I envy you - great fun. I support entirely what has been said about the weather and navigation but I suggest that as soon as you have the confidence to leave and find your mooring, you pick a day with a force 2-3 forecast, go out on your own and just play - see what sheet settings give you the best speed on which course, drop a marker, sail round it, up to it etc. Within a few hours you will have masses of confidence in both boat and you and will be ready for anything!

 

[Guest]

I just want to get out there, start slowly in gentle weather, and build up our experience -

With that attitude - you should be fine!

 

[david_e]

More therapy....

I feel that your edgyness is most likley mild anxiety brought about by fear. I also suspect that it is the fear (or more accurately the thought of) of getting it wrong and being seen to 'cock it up' that is creating this fear.

As you indicate, there is a huge amount to learn in sailing and each dynamic carries its own knowledge requirement. Some learn one dynamic faster than others and vice versa etc.

The main way people learn is through involvement, and by making mistakes. You are taking a professional with you which is the best thing you can do (IMHO) because it will cut down your mistakes but you will learn more rapidly from him and whilst you are doing things your natural inquisitiveness will be questioning what you are doing and gaining correct responses anyway.

The one thing you shouldn't worry about is being seen making mistakes, no one really cares and if the theory that we learn from our mistakes is true then it follows that the smartest peolpe around are those that make loads of them! (well maybe not) )

You sound extremely well organised and funded, good luck.

Dr David.

 

[nicho]

Re: More therapy....

Thanks David - I think you've probably hit the nail on the head!! As you know in marine circles, the size of the incident is directly proportional to the size of the audience...... so perhaps I'll start my "solo" sailing mid week when it's quieter!