capnsensible
Well-known member
I've been taking my friend out around once a week on his new to him boat, mostly in light winds. So we decided to up a level today and nip out in a nice brisk, with sunny intervals, breeze. Great, slipping along nicely, heading out west past the lighthouse on the sw tip of Lanzarote. Now I know from previous short trips and a longer delivery that he does take a while to get his internal compass stabilized. Out past the lighthouse there was the usual long Atlantic swell, but due probably to that biggun headed your way, today it was notably higher than normal. Over two meters for sure.
I saw he had gone quiet, he loves to helm and chat, but signs are there. So, let's tack. No problem. However, yesterday he spent nearly seventy euros on a couple of new fenders including a nice big blue round one to hang on starboard bow for stress free docking. But, of course, it decided it was escape from colditz time. Or fancied a swim or something. So a quick heave to got us pretty much on it. However.....the fender line is tied to boat not fender. Have you ever tried to pick up from the water a wet, shiny new slippy round fender?
Ok. Engine on, headsail rolled up. You can't lose sight of this, it's big and blue but in the best mob tradition, we stayed near it. Now by then, my oppo is very green. Laying on the side deck trying to pick the fender up isn't a good motion sickness cure, apparently. So after a couple of neat approaches...I'm enjoying myself but he clearly isn't, engine on, drop main. Easily written but the swell was big.
Despite it being his boat and fender, I decided to disregard his desire to die and motored round beam to sea downwind of the escaper. Hold boat in position with donk in astern. Fender arrives at port quarter. I lean over and grab with both hands. Wave comes to say hello. I get soaked but yay, we got the fender back!
Took about an hour to get back to the marina. Sailed some of it under headsail only, boat is a witch, goes great. However I think the return trip had some subtleties overlooked. As we got close in, a kinda half recovery occurred and he docked the boat very nicely. But I'm probably looking forward to the next trip more than him!
By then, I have to come up with a name for the fender that will restore his sense of humour. ?
I saw he had gone quiet, he loves to helm and chat, but signs are there. So, let's tack. No problem. However, yesterday he spent nearly seventy euros on a couple of new fenders including a nice big blue round one to hang on starboard bow for stress free docking. But, of course, it decided it was escape from colditz time. Or fancied a swim or something. So a quick heave to got us pretty much on it. However.....the fender line is tied to boat not fender. Have you ever tried to pick up from the water a wet, shiny new slippy round fender?
Ok. Engine on, headsail rolled up. You can't lose sight of this, it's big and blue but in the best mob tradition, we stayed near it. Now by then, my oppo is very green. Laying on the side deck trying to pick the fender up isn't a good motion sickness cure, apparently. So after a couple of neat approaches...I'm enjoying myself but he clearly isn't, engine on, drop main. Easily written but the swell was big.
Despite it being his boat and fender, I decided to disregard his desire to die and motored round beam to sea downwind of the escaper. Hold boat in position with donk in astern. Fender arrives at port quarter. I lean over and grab with both hands. Wave comes to say hello. I get soaked but yay, we got the fender back!
Took about an hour to get back to the marina. Sailed some of it under headsail only, boat is a witch, goes great. However I think the return trip had some subtleties overlooked. As we got close in, a kinda half recovery occurred and he docked the boat very nicely. But I'm probably looking forward to the next trip more than him!
By then, I have to come up with a name for the fender that will restore his sense of humour. ?
