(Skip to the end for the questions if you don't want the first sail report).
Hi everyone. I got a new to me 1977 Omega two weeks ago and got it out on the water for the first time this past Saturday. I took a basic keelboat course about 5 years ago and never got the chance to do any sailing after that.
A sensible person would have found an experienced sailor to show them the ropes.
Not knowing any sensible people, after reading a bit, I took the plunge, almost literally! The wind was blowing about 13 knots. As you can imagine, it was an interesting experience for a novice. A 14 foot centerboard boat certainly is a lot different than the 26 foot keelboat I had been in before. I think I came about as close as possible to capsizing without actually going over. I really got into trouble sailing downwind and trying to jibe which led to an uncontrolled figure 8, almost capsizing to one side, scrambling up the side of the boat, then recovering only to go over the other direction. Yes, I stupidly had the main sheet cleated. Good times. I decided to stick to 270 degree turns with a tack rather than attempt another jibe for the rest of the afternoon. Much less drama. I remembered the sailing instructor wanting us to avoid jibing like it was the devil when I took the keelboat class. I can see why now.
Towards the end of the afternoon, I had things figured out a little better. I still avoided jibing and never actually hoisted the jib. I was starting to get into the swing of things a bit better just as the sun hit the horizon and I had to head for the dock.
************
Horribly Basic Questions:
What is the normal sequence for launching? Do you hoist the sails before launching the boat?
I hoisted the main on the trailer (uncleated of course) then watched it banging around in the wind and thought, hmmmm maybe I should wait until I am in the boat and ready to sail. So I took it back down and raised it in the water. This felt incredibly awkward. Would the boat be OK with the main up but luffing while parking the trailer?
Which brings me to my next question.
What is the best way to get in the boat with minimal drama? So I had the mainsail down, with the bow tied to the dock facing the wind. I stepped in and almost capsized right there! A bystander suggested I put down my centerboard... Good idea.
Does anybody try to get the centerboard down before boarding? Or do you just try to step directly into the middle of the boat, and then get the centerboard down as the first order of business?
Finally, what is the best way to take a break? It felt really strange for some reason to just luff the main. Is it OK to just ease out the sheet and stop on any point of sail? Is it best to point into the wind and basically get into irons to stop?
Thanks to anybody who got through the whole thing and takes a stab at giving a few pointers to a new sailor! Hopefully it reminded you of your first sail on your own.
Aaron
Hi everyone. I got a new to me 1977 Omega two weeks ago and got it out on the water for the first time this past Saturday. I took a basic keelboat course about 5 years ago and never got the chance to do any sailing after that.
A sensible person would have found an experienced sailor to show them the ropes.
Not knowing any sensible people, after reading a bit, I took the plunge, almost literally! The wind was blowing about 13 knots. As you can imagine, it was an interesting experience for a novice. A 14 foot centerboard boat certainly is a lot different than the 26 foot keelboat I had been in before. I think I came about as close as possible to capsizing without actually going over. I really got into trouble sailing downwind and trying to jibe which led to an uncontrolled figure 8, almost capsizing to one side, scrambling up the side of the boat, then recovering only to go over the other direction. Yes, I stupidly had the main sheet cleated. Good times. I decided to stick to 270 degree turns with a tack rather than attempt another jibe for the rest of the afternoon. Much less drama. I remembered the sailing instructor wanting us to avoid jibing like it was the devil when I took the keelboat class. I can see why now.
Towards the end of the afternoon, I had things figured out a little better. I still avoided jibing and never actually hoisted the jib. I was starting to get into the swing of things a bit better just as the sun hit the horizon and I had to head for the dock.
************
Horribly Basic Questions:
What is the normal sequence for launching? Do you hoist the sails before launching the boat?
I hoisted the main on the trailer (uncleated of course) then watched it banging around in the wind and thought, hmmmm maybe I should wait until I am in the boat and ready to sail. So I took it back down and raised it in the water. This felt incredibly awkward. Would the boat be OK with the main up but luffing while parking the trailer?
Which brings me to my next question.
What is the best way to get in the boat with minimal drama? So I had the mainsail down, with the bow tied to the dock facing the wind. I stepped in and almost capsized right there! A bystander suggested I put down my centerboard... Good idea.
Does anybody try to get the centerboard down before boarding? Or do you just try to step directly into the middle of the boat, and then get the centerboard down as the first order of business?
Finally, what is the best way to take a break? It felt really strange for some reason to just luff the main. Is it OK to just ease out the sheet and stop on any point of sail? Is it best to point into the wind and basically get into irons to stop?
Thanks to anybody who got through the whole thing and takes a stab at giving a few pointers to a new sailor! Hopefully it reminded you of your first sail on your own.
Aaron