Right then! GP14 here I come!

[Steve101]

Right I'm going out! The sun is blazing and there is precious little wind, but I can't wait any longer. I'm going out in her and if I'm not posting on here by about 9.30 call the coastguard or whoever it is you call when you're 150 miles away from the sea and stuck in the middle of a lake with no way of getting back other than jumping in! If anyone is nr Greensforge sailing club off J12 M6 steer well clear there's some fool overenthusiastic newby learning the hard way! See ya folks (I hope.)

 

[Jeremy_W]

Have fun! NM

*

 

[Steve101]

What did I learn?

I was out for about an hour and a half and even though there was no wind whatsoever I learnt a valuable lesson. This being I no longer have to fear not having any wind. I went out under main sail only and left my wife and kids nervously waiting on the bank. After the initial inertia of being pushed off and reaching the middle of the lake I was soon to realise that this was going to be a sailing waste of time. So I began to paddle with rudder until I got to the far bank and signalled the family to come over. Once my wife told me that there was no way we could get the launch trailer over to this causeway it began to dawn on me that I was going to have to traverse the lake again under rudder power. Rather than fill me full of dread it sort of strengthened my resolve to get the job done and I even toyed with asking my son to join me (I resisted the temptation!) about 15 minutes later and after (even though I say it myself) expertly avoiding the anglers I glided to a halt at my original launching place. Basking in the knowledge that I've taken her out on my own for the first time, that I've raised and lowered the main sail without further tuition (I cleated off the halyard (I'm not sure that is how you're supposed to do it?), tied some other rope (cuunigham I think) to the sail and tighten up some other thingy at the end of the sail. Finally (and at one point it was a bit of a worry!) I notice the boat was taking on a bit of water. The bungs were in place and when we got her out of the water a chrome thing on the keel of the boat gushed about 5 gallons out (anyone know what this is?) I can't wait 'til next weekend!!!!

Why on earth do these sail boat thingys need wind!!! It'll never catch on.

 

[jimi]

There is a GP14 class association which produces a video which goes over some of the GP14 tuning & sailing tips. If you can't get hold of of it send me a PM and I'll see if I can sort something out.

Jim

 

[graham]

Chrome thing could be a self bailer. These suck water out when the boat is going fast but need to be shut when going slowly!

 

[jimi]

Chrome thingy will be a self bailer. There are probably two of them, one on each side. On some boats ( like mine!) they are a right bugger to get to, being obscured by a floorboard. I removed the boards. They are also flaps on the transom ( to enable vast quantities of water to be lost in a hurry after a capsize!).

Jim

 

[chippie]

Re: What did I learn?

Congratulations on biting the bullet and having a go.
Did you learn that it might be a good idea to have some oars or paddles on board?

 

[sailbadthesinner]

Re: What did I learn?

If you want crew in the winter season i am available mid october onwards, pretty tied up between then and now various trips and family commitments.

The fun really starts when the wind gets up.

You sail on the white bits, anchor on the blue bits, get drunk on the yellow bits

 

[Steve101]

Re: What did I learn?

Thanks for the offer. I think I'll take you up on that! I'll PM you my number and you can give me a bell when your ready.