Who has boat fear at the start of the season?

[Contest1]

Crane in day, will the trailer make it OK.
Such a relief when shes on her mooring.
A bit apprehensive every cast off but goes as soon as I,m moving.

 

[Bru]

I have no fears whatsoever about the first, or subsequent, departure

It's the arrivals that make me fret every time (will there be space / a berth? Will I fluff the approach? Will there be an audience? Etc)

 

[niccapotamus]

+1. not just me. better the more we sail

 

[Aardee]

This is my first season back on my own boat after a 5-year break (albeit crewing with friends etc) - I definitely had sweaty palms and a dry mouth before Saturdays' shakedown sail. As soon as we were through the lock and the mainsail was up all (or at most of...) the anxiety faded away

 

[RadiumRob]

Thanks for starting this thread, it's reassuring for me to know I'm not the only one who has to overcome nerves on departure and arrival.

 

[nicho]

Thanks for starting this thread, it's reassuring for me to know I'm not the only one who has to overcome nerves on departure and arrival.

We're moored next to a £1million mobo, so I was a bit nervous about coming back into the berth, especially as the owner had been telling me how a visitor had scratched his shiny new gelcoat. No contact made, pleased to say!
I also suffer some nerves if I haven't been flying for a couple of months - the journey to the airport is spent anxiously looking at the weather for a good reason not to go. Once taken off, all is normal again.

 

[William_H]

I get a bit nervous before a race. Mine is a tiny boat compared to the opposition so must be flogged really hard to keep up. When there is a bit of wind I worry about almost everything before the race. Have I chosen the right sail combination? Should we forget spin. My crew would never let me do that adding to nerves. Ok once it is started.
A pleasure sail no problem. No problem re engine I simply do not use it. it isstowed away under the cockpit. Sails always work. Well so far anyway. good luck olewill

 

[30boat]

When I'm hard on the wind in strong conditions I get paranoid about things holding up.Will the fiberglass webs holding the chainplates to the hull not peel off? What about the new bolts I fitted to the shroud fittings? And the Staloks will they let go? I even consider beefing up the hull at the chainplates they've only been there for 35 years who knows if they'll stay stuck??? And the keel bolts, there's only a lot of them and they're only huge,maybe I should replace the lot although the last one I inspected was as good as new and Westerly had even poured oil into the bottom of the hole.
After a while I start thinking how beautiful the boat is coming alive with the sea and wind and relax. Usually with a beer in my hand

 

[sadlerbob]

Lift out and lift in seems to make me apprehensive. This year after an extensive refurbishment and upgrades.
Replacing several sea cocks, hoses, shaft seal, pumps, toilet, new/second hand engine, windlass etc put it in a different league this year.

 

[milltech]

Yes, especially before, say, a solo night trip. Feel sick and keyed up. Worried if anything forgotten etc.

Gosh Yes, this post chimes with me. Mostly too ugly for crew and too "liking it my own way" to easily enjoy the company of sailing free-loaders I've become a solo sailor. First of the season always a tester, put it off and put it off, then finally you know you must and there's nothing left to check without totally fooling yourself.