Things I really like!

The rush of water,
The curve of the sails against a blue sky,
The feel of the tiller when forces of air and water are perfectly balanced,

and
jimi said:
The heel of the boat as it picks up the strengthening breeze ...
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If you could bottle it you'd make a fortune...

Andy
 
the sound of a Churchward 2-8-0 as it slooooooowly pulls away under a light load.

Yes it's boaty. Look at the background.
 
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Yes, the engine off and sails up moment does it for me

Similarly being up early to watch the sun rise over the water in complete peace

Sailing at night with a clear sky and a phosphorescent wake is another unique treasure

Sleeping in the cockpit under clear skies at anchor is up there too - or just snuggled up in the cockpit with the kids talking and watching the stars
 
Broad reaching at 6 kts. auto pilot on, sitting on the bow, legs over the side with a cold beer in hand watching a school of dolphins playing under the bow with the sun just about to set. Only happened once but I will always treasure that memory.

Chris
 
All too active for me

All this sailing is making me feel tired, my too favourites are:

Getting to sleep after being on watch from 2-6am and

being tied up safely after a long voyage.
 
Things I really like? Going with my crew, by our own efforts under sail, to some of the world's most stunning places and experiencing nature's forces first-hand must come top of the list.
I've never tired of it in fifty years!


2005
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On reflection, 2005
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2008
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Isn't it strange. Lots of people over the years have asked me whats so great about sailing, and i've always said "Its the moment you turn off the engine and the boat gets down to its proper job"

Its true, its a very special moment isn't it, and very difficult to get across to non sailors. I also get a buzz when the wind fills in and you get the boat moving well, and the sails settle. Very satisfying.

Hot shower...definitely!

A beer? ..well i get a headache when I sniff the stuff these days, so its usually a virtual beer these days sadly, and a drink of something else.

Oh..and for the record, it never rains in the Lake District. Its just a vicious rumour I promise you.

My 'magic moment' was doing bow watch on H.M. Bark Endeavour under sail in the middle of a balmy night in the Irish Sea in 1997, batting along at about 5 knots and watching the phosphorescence and looking at the stars....(I know... i was supposed to be looking for part submerged containers) Its was for me a time of pure magic.

Tim
 
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Alfie168 said:
Isn't it strange. Lots of people over the years have asked me whats so great about sailing, and i've always said "Its the moment you turn off the engine and the boat gets down to its proper job"

Its true, its a very special moment isn't it, and very difficult to get across to non sailors. I also get a buzz when the wind fills in and you get the boat moving well, and the sails settle. Very satisfying.
Click to expand...

I agree. And yes I own a mobo, but I still agree, its the bit I miss most about sailing boats which is why I keep coming back!
My compensation is getting out the river, past all the sailboats, bit of space, open the taps and get up on the plane. It's like you were towing a fridge freezer but when you get properly on the plane the boat settles, becomes stable, you trim the tabs and the leg, get it right and suddenly it goes like someone cut the tow rope.
But it's not as good as killing the engine.......

(I still get all the other good bits, the casting off, the tying up, the showers, the beer, the sunrises and sunsets, the animals, the night watches, the open water etc etc etc so don't feel too sorry for me, I'm bracing myself for an outpouring of sympathy but hold it back ;) )
 
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