Tempus Fugit

[Lakesailor]

Someone said in a post today that you should get on and use your boat as you don't know what's around the corner.
Today I took my restored Heron out for a trial sail. I rowed it to my boat to pick up a lifejacket (I know, wrong way round). I noticed a yacht rafted to a neighbour's boat. Closer inspection showed it to be occupied, but my neighbour's wasn't.
I rowed over that way and the guy on the boat explained to me he was checking it as the owner had just died and his wife knew nothing about boats. A couple of questions determined that he did indeed know the deceased sailor.
I'd only been chatting to him on Monday and he was full of plans for the boat, which he'd bought in October.
The lesson here is quite clear. Get out on the water as often as you want, you are dying, there is no doubt about it, and you don't know when.


The Heron went very well. Leaked a touch, but it has been dry for a few years. Very responsive and pointed up well. 50 years old next year.

 

[BobPrell]

Wow, your heron looks lovely. I got one in 1973 as they were supposed to be a good boat to learn on. It served pretty well.

Mine looked exactly the same inside. It had inflatable bouyancy bags. Other herons I have since seen with built plywood bouyancy.

After about 6 months of weekend sailing IU went for a sail on an inland lake in a brisk breeze, which turned into a gale, boat capsized, a couple of the bags burst as soon as there was a bit of strain on them. Then I capsized repeatedly because as soon as I got righted and sailing, the water in the boat surged back and forth and tipped me again!!

Freezing wind and rain. I started going hypothermic and cramping up. I just barely got to shore, where some people gave first aid. My jaw was so cramped, I actually could not speak for half an hour.

This was in sunny Australia so it must be just as possible on Windermere. That was as close as I have ever been to risk of death while sailing.

I take your point about getting out sailing while one can. Unfortunately, most of us seem to end up doing a lot more owning than using.

cheers, Bob

 

[Fergus]

I took my 80 year old uncle out on my new boat - last time I sailed was with him 20 years ago. His one comment - "why did you wait so long?"
Could be something to do with putting 3 kids through private education, but valid point nonetheless!

 

[Lakesailor]

Yup. It's got bouyancy chambers. One under the foredeck and that sheet of ply behind the rear thwart is another.
Mine's gunter rig which seems to spill the wind better than bermudan. So for single-handed it's my preference.