Going over to the other side...

[wakeup]

Spent yesterday afternoon out on a friends saily boat, a 29ft Sadler. Learned to heave to and put reefs in !!!!! 22knots of steady wind meant that we had the rails under water quite a lot.

I really appreciate now how limited the vision is from the cockpit of one of these things is. The helm seemed very skittish as well with tiller steering, not at all straight forward for a stinkie to keep in a straight line. I don't know how they keep their concentration on a long trip.

I have to say I did enjoy it. Great to switch the engine off and listen to the wind and water. 6 knots seems bloody fast in one of these things.

I can't imagine I will go over completely to the Empire though until they start building yatchs that are comfortable to sit in when heeling over, that you can walk around with out tripping over ropes or twisting your ankles on bits of lumpy grp. Why aren't there more catamarans around. I would have thought this would be the best configuration, especially to attract those of us that find comfort and space as well as performance near the top of our list of priorities when considering sail/motor.

Also made me appreciate that sometimes a raggie is forced to tack if they aren't completely on top of a situation without notice.

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[ianainge]

disgraceful you wouldnt catch me anywhere near a saily boat.

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[wakeup]

I believe you were first on to

the slippery slope of raggiedom!!

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[ianainge]

Re: I believe you were first on to

thats slander. see you in court!!!

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[wakeup]

Re: See you in court

You'll be the one in the Henri Lloyd all weather off shore gear and the cravat and a copy of the col regs under one arm then...
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[tony_brighton]

Take a risk - give it a try some time. There must be something in it because so many of us raggies do it......

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[hlb]

I have to agree. Sailing is wonderfull if not actually going anywhere. It used to be great fun when I had my 18ft National Ospray. Thing is. A 40ft sailing boat has no more comfort than the Ospray and at least with that, there was no need to run round decks, so not tripping over or strangling ones self on an asault course of wires and string.

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Haydn

 

[kazbaz2]

i watch the salers potting around from my berth and would love to try and see how it feels , so if anyone is crouch bases essex and fancy a learner on board e mail us

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