1. Trim all ropes and halyards to the correct sizes before going out again, especially reefing ropes and the main sheet and topping lift. All a way too long and irritatingly flop, hang about or tangle
2. Sailing just under main sail can be really enjoyable and makes you think more about how the sail fills and backs, especially when pinching to windward
3. The closer to shore you get in an estuary, the more depth you run out of!!!
4. Starboard tack has right of way in most situations so hold your ground and don't allow other yawls to intimidate you into making avoidance moves which then put you in danger or difficulties
5. At the ramp, think about others, don't hold people up, wait your turn, offer to help others, show some common courtesy
6. Stop and take time to talk with people. There are very many interested in Arwen who want to know more about her and her designer. That is one of the joys of sailing so build in time on trips to do that
7. Backing the jib can really help get you out of tight turns and corners
8. Learn to predict where the wind will gust off the hills and where it will suddenly drop because it is blocked by hills.......anticipating these will help you anticipate wind shifts better
9. It is better to go behind moored boats than think you can make it across the front of them....remember a combination of factors....wind AND tide could push you sideways. LEEWAY!!!
10. Discretion and caution are useful qualities, if in doubt, don't take the risk!
11. Practice, practice,practice so that mooring alongside a pontoon becomes instinctive like driving a car
12. Suspend more time learning to read your mainsails and replace the lost tell tales over winter!!!
13. On a day sail in sheltered waters you don't have to carry every bit of kit.......empty the boat occasionally!!!
14. Try to sail by releasing or hauling in the jib rather than constantly turning the tiller
15. Don't be afraid to gybe if the situation demands it
16. Remind yourself frequently about balance, trim, centreboard situation, sail trim, course made good, leeway, depth under hull, speed across ground, tidal movements and tidal speed changes....just take it in and absorb it as you go, learn to think about it instinctively
17. Plot courses through moorings as as you have a tack, think about an alternative escape plan at the other end if wind fails, shifts or there is insufficient room behind the boats you are heading towards
18. The reefing laces on the mainsail are too short.......lengthen them.......a random thought that occurred to me in the outer estuary on Saturday
19. Bite the bullet, sail back to the ramp one day; have the engine ready for an emergency, but have the courage and faith in your own skills
20. Put the row locks in before launching and leave them in until you recover the boat........something I have never bothered to do, but in the close confines of an estuary with lots of moorings, being able to ship oars rapidly, is quicker than firing up the outboard .......I think!
I am sure more, deeper and profound thoughts will occur to me over the next few days
Steve
2. Sailing just under main sail can be really enjoyable and makes you think more about how the sail fills and backs, especially when pinching to windward
3. The closer to shore you get in an estuary, the more depth you run out of!!!
4. Starboard tack has right of way in most situations so hold your ground and don't allow other yawls to intimidate you into making avoidance moves which then put you in danger or difficulties
5. At the ramp, think about others, don't hold people up, wait your turn, offer to help others, show some common courtesy
6. Stop and take time to talk with people. There are very many interested in Arwen who want to know more about her and her designer. That is one of the joys of sailing so build in time on trips to do that
7. Backing the jib can really help get you out of tight turns and corners
8. Learn to predict where the wind will gust off the hills and where it will suddenly drop because it is blocked by hills.......anticipating these will help you anticipate wind shifts better
9. It is better to go behind moored boats than think you can make it across the front of them....remember a combination of factors....wind AND tide could push you sideways. LEEWAY!!!
10. Discretion and caution are useful qualities, if in doubt, don't take the risk!
11. Practice, practice,practice so that mooring alongside a pontoon becomes instinctive like driving a car
12. Suspend more time learning to read your mainsails and replace the lost tell tales over winter!!!
13. On a day sail in sheltered waters you don't have to carry every bit of kit.......empty the boat occasionally!!!
14. Try to sail by releasing or hauling in the jib rather than constantly turning the tiller
15. Don't be afraid to gybe if the situation demands it
16. Remind yourself frequently about balance, trim, centreboard situation, sail trim, course made good, leeway, depth under hull, speed across ground, tidal movements and tidal speed changes....just take it in and absorb it as you go, learn to think about it instinctively
17. Plot courses through moorings as as you have a tack, think about an alternative escape plan at the other end if wind fails, shifts or there is insufficient room behind the boats you are heading towards
18. The reefing laces on the mainsail are too short.......lengthen them.......a random thought that occurred to me in the outer estuary on Saturday
19. Bite the bullet, sail back to the ramp one day; have the engine ready for an emergency, but have the courage and faith in your own skills
20. Put the row locks in before launching and leave them in until you recover the boat........something I have never bothered to do, but in the close confines of an estuary with lots of moorings, being able to ship oars rapidly, is quicker than firing up the outboard .......I think!
I am sure more, deeper and profound thoughts will occur to me over the next few days
Steve
....re.#20.. yes, but make sure your lines. especially jib sheets, don't foul them...
ReplyDeleteYeah good point
ReplyDeleteShould be ok because the sheets go through the coamings just ahead of that position
Thanks for getting in touch
Steve