Alley and I lauched our sailboat and returned on a failboat..

[denbot]

Lauch ramps are kind of stressful, but turned out to be the least nerve racking part of the day.
We put our little boat in the water with winds predicted at 7-10mph. Marina Del Rey harbor launch area is in a somewhat wind shielded area. When we got to the main part of the channel our problems started.

In order to control the main sail boom (horizonal) you use what is called a traveler. This is a block tackle that can be positioned on the centerline of the boat catch wind, or let out from one side or the other to spill wind. We had alot of trouble with the shackles to rig our traveler due to a type of shackle that used a keyring sort of pin to lock or unlock it.

Once we got in to the channel the wind was at least 15mph and building. This is usually not that much but because of our trouble with the shackle we rigged our traveler slightly different, and under a bit of duress due to wind. I needed to let Ally take the tiller and steer the boat while I raised sails and pulled our outboard free of the water. Our jib (forward sail) has been fine for summer, but under building wind give us a "lee helm", another words tries to turn the boat around and point it down wind.

Alley does not have much experience with handling the boat. Today was the day that would be dedicated to her learning how to steer and trim sails. We also planned to try to anchor for the first time.
As soon as she took the helm the boat would take off on us. I kind of snapped at her to handle the boat better while I tried to take care of the motor.

The wind was heeling us over more then we have ever experienced before and I took over the tiller leaving our outboard motor in the water. I could not control the boat very well. Not only would we heel at an alarming angle we also experienced a huge amount of leeway, which is when the boat slides sideways down wind. I actually hit one of the small white center channel "cans" and tacked around the next one heeled over like an America's Cup contestant.

We bought our boat last spring and have only sailed in light airs. By the time we reached the end of the channel the winds were picking up at an alarming rate, and instead of trying to head out for open water I told Alley that I think we should head in. I did not realized how scared she was until I heard it in her voice when she replied with a thank you.

I pulled down our sails and started to motor back to the boat ramps. We got beat today, but learned a couple of good lessons. First and foremost we need to take sailing lessons. Second we are replacing every single F'in "key ring" type shackle with the quick release pin type. Third we will fully rig the gear BEFORE leaving the dock (DUH!!!)

Live and learn, and it is all good.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. What kind of boat do you have?

Sailing can be a little unnerving if you encounter more wind than you're used to, but a few lessons will help enormously -- you will pick it up very quickly and then you'll look forward to a nice stiff breeze. Sailing is great fun.

Do you have reef points in your sail? You might have had too much sail area for the wind. With most smaller boats you need to reef when the wind gets up to 15 knots. The reason you couldn't control the boat very well was because you were heeled up too far so the rudder wasn't effective. Reefing will help that.

I envy you because you can sail all winter. My boat is out of the water until at least April. :(

[denbot]

5. We have a 25' MacGregor swing keel.

The keel is cast iron weighing in at around 800lbs. Our sails are not reefable, the foresail being way to large for anything but light airs. It looks like I will have to figure out how to sew in reef points on our main, and find a used smaller jib if we want to sail during the winter, and god forbid, make the crossing to Catalina Island.

We had planned to try the crossing, but with our inexperience and our "overpowered" sail inventory that would be foolish.

Here is a picture of it being lifted in to Redondo Beach's King Harbor.



This is her keel deployed.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. Ah. We have a similar problem with our Hunter 260.

Swing keel with water ballast. It just isn't quite as stable as a boat with a conventional keel, and unless we reef the sail we have a lot of weather helm. And last summer, in a 20-kt wind, the rudder popped a weld and went sideways -- totally lost directional control; it was really wild til we got the sails down.

You could probably get a sailmaker to add some reef points. If you have roller furling on the headsail, that might help, too.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear denbot...

I'm so relieved to hear you two are OK...

Yikes!:scared:

Lessons sound like a very good idea!

Please, take care of yourselves, OK?

:hug:

[denbot]

7. Hi Miss C-P.

Happy birthday. We will take care. Now that I'm part of a team, I no longer go headlong in to things.

[XemaSab]

3. You got back to the dock in one piece

and that's what matters. :)

[denbot]

8. True that.

We look at today as a good learning experience. The most important one was that we turned back, instead of charging out despite problems early and often.

I am disappointed that we did not get our afternoon/evening planned sail in, but I did have a delicious turkey sammy waiting for me in the jeep once we had the boat pulled and ready to roll home.

[david13]

4. That type of weather is no type of weather to be ashore.

You're safer out there.
The major problem I've always faced around here is ... no wind. I'm always looking for some. Except when it's inland, and I'm on my motorcycle. Seems like that's the only time I find it.
dc

[denbot]

9. If we were more experienced, and the gear was suitable for a fresher breeze that would be true.

We don't have our chops yet, and the boat is way over powered to be playing in 20+ knots of wind.
Someday soon though.

[trof]

10. My 3 Meter Yacht:

I literally taught myself the rudiments of sailing with the book and mainsheet in one hand and the tiller in the other.
Had a lot of fun with that boat.