Light Air Makes the Sailor

[Captain Smollett]

I hate days when I come off looking like a total noob, or worse, to older experienced sailors.  But I'll get to that in a bit.

We finally got the boat out yesterday for an afternoon/evening sail.  Wind in the morning was good, but  by the time we got out, it calmed considerably.  We had SW 5-10 knots in the puffs and not much at all in the calms, partly cloudy skies and temps in the mid 80's.  In other words, the makings for a good, relaxing day on  the water.

We raised the sails at the dock and motorsailed out the first 1/2 mile or so to clear the bridges.  With my daughter at the helm, I killed and raised the engine and away we went.  She had actually steered by herself under the big highway bridge, which she was a little hesitant to do - she tried to give me the tiller, but her Mom said, "you can do it, you are doing great."  I love the look on her face when she concentrates hard on something WE know she can but she has her doubts.

I spent the next four hours keeping a light touch on the tiller and careful eye on sail trim to keep up our blazing speed of 1 knot or so.  We did have about 20 minutes of good 10 knot air that pushed us right along with the children playing in the cabin while their Mom took a nap.  We were on a deep broad reach or running wing-and-wing, so apparent wind was not much.

Becky told me she'd rather just see how far we could go rather than explore some creeks.  I was satisfied we were making any way at all.  Any air at all will move the A-30, even with heavy cruising sails.  This was the first true light air day we had to really focus on her light air trim - no schedule, no plans, etc.  I wondered how she'd respond to a suit of nylon working sails; maybe someday.

Most of the hour between 5 and 6 was spent totally becalmed.  Around 18:00, the wind filled in pretty steady from the South.  The trip out took 4 hours; the trip back took  a little over one hour, again mostly on broad reach.  Sweet, easy going sailing.

Once inside the big highway bridge, I dropped the genny and started the engine.  The South wind was going to mean a cross-slip landing, but at least the approach was INTO the wind.  We technically motorsailed into the marina, but the engine was in gear at idle so the mainsail was doing the work.

But, we cannot actually HAVE a good, drama free day.  Two key things happened while we were between B and C docks approaching our slip.  First, the wind clocked 180 degrees, now from the North (our WORST wind for approaching our slip) and was increasing in strength; second, my 6 year old daughter got really wound up into a super-charged emotional meltdown; she did not like something my wife told her do, and it was "on."  Great.

Nathan and Kathy, seasoned cruisers, boat builders, former boat-yard owners (in other words, 'experienced') came over to help.  After struggling with the dock lines and pulling, pushing and cajoling the boat to get into the right position in the slip, AND with a 6 year old standing on the campionway steps SCREAMING, literally, Nathan calmly asked if he could make a suggestion.

"This would be easier if you could get the mainsail down."

D'oh.

Now I DO feel like an idiot.  I got so focused on that %$^&#$% stern line I was trying to cleat and trying either scold, calm or at least ignore the screams in my ear I TOTALLY forgot about the sail.

Did I mention the breeze was now piping up to upwards of 20 knots?  From the North?

The boat was trying to sail on a beam reach into slip, into the dock, through the dock, and beyond!  Hey, she was just doing her job.

Anyway, so all is well that ends well.  We got tied in, the girl stopped screaming, the wind blew most of the night but was dead calm by morning....

I still cannot believe I had a 180 degree wind shift once INSIDE the marina.  So much for trying to be too cool and sailing in.

[captain cajun]

"I still cannot believe I had a 180 degree wind shift once INSIDE the marina."

Outstanding Story, wow thanks. 

[newt]

Don't give up on sailing in- my wind regularly clocks at Antelope Island Marina, and I am always learning patience trying to get into my slip. But I do it and it feels good. Try tiller to sheet steering on those hot teasing days- I find I am a lot more tolerant of hot weather when I am down in the cabin listening to music.
But the bottom line is what do I know about sailing with a screaming girl on board. That would be enough to shift anyone's attention from the mainsail.

[Auspicious]

But the bottom line is what do I know about sailing with a screaming girl on board.

I have some ideas, but all of them would make it clear why I am divorced and childless.

[Frank]

[
I have some ideas, but all of them would make it clear why I am divorced and childless.
[/quote]          ;D ;) :D :o ;D

[maxiSwede]

We all make mistakes. Probably your experienced neighbors too.

I do consider myself reasonably experienced and I am making a lot of mistakes, at times some really stupid stuff.  ;D

Probably a personality thing, I tend to try and do too many things simultaneously at times  :P

[CharlieJ]

 ;D ;D

You shoulda seen OUR last docking. Dead downwind in 22 knots :o

Laura had the boat in full reverse to slow us down, but thank goodness I got off in time to get the spring line cleated!!!

And yeah, Laura is at the helm often when we dock, and almost always when we undock heading out.