Blond Ambition (the sitcom- episode 2)

[Mundaysj]

The weekend of June 7, it is time for me to actually sail Blond Ambition all by myself. 

Last weekend one of the nice members of the AHYC, Jeff, offered to help me out and brought his tool kit.  I guess everyone had noticed that my bowsprit was bent and the backstay had too much play in it.  Together we set all the standing rigging just right.  (And I learned that I should keep extra cotter rings, a 5/8 inch wrench or was that a 3/8 inch wrench, and electrical tape on board.)  Afterwards, Jeff took the tiller and we took Blond Ambition for her maiden voyage.  We just sailed out of the harbor and into the bay a bit and then back. 

This Friday I arrived in Atlantic Highlands determined to single hand my boat.  We had a formal dance Friday night, so I arrived in a long gown and promptly took Max (my 3 yr old doberman) for his constitutional.  Needless to say we garnered a few odd looks.  I cleaned up after Max, then he waited in the car while I danced.  Afterward, I gathered him and my sail bag and rode the launch out to my beautiful little boat.  I mentioned to the launch operator that I forgot my hand held VHF, and he said he would pick me up first thing in the morning.  Max & I both slept like babies ... there is something so soothing about sleeping on a boat.  (I suppose the martinis the night before didn't hurt either)!

Woke up Saturday morning about 5:30 to a beautiful sunrise, (picture is posted) waited until the launch was running at 8:00 and took Max for his morning walk.  I half-filled up my brand new gas tank with 3 gallons of premium gas.  This time I planned to have no problems with my motor (1983 Evenrude 7.5 hp).  After all it had to be that old tank and hose or gas and oil mixture that was causing all the problems, right?  So back on the launch and back to the boat for Max & me.  Then I searched for the oil and additive.  I had it last week.  Surely I didn't take it home again?  Oh dear, flag down the launch again ...  Max & I drove up to the marine store, bought more oil and additive, then back down to the dock and  riding the launch back to the boat.  OK  Now I have everything, just add the oil and additive, and that motor should start right up (SHOULD being the operative word here).  I pulled and pulled and cursed and pulled, but the darn thing wouldn't kick over.  So I decided to lay down for a nap and then I would just flag down the launch operator and drive home dejected.

I awoke about 2PM and thought I'd try it one more time before I would give up and go home.  AND it started. YEAH!!  Oh boy... I ran around and got the jib hanked on, and got the mainsail back in the slots, released the mooring lines and ...wow... it felt good.  I rounded the breakwater into the bay, and decided I should head into the wind and get my sails up.  I hoisted the main about 80% of the way and it seemed to be stuck.  So I hoisted the jib and it set fine.  Back to the main sail... wrap the darn halyard around the winch, plop on the winch handle and turn...ugh.... turn another 1/2 turn... ugh... throw in a few curse words .... ugh ... and finally the main is fully hoisted.   Gee... now that I could catch my breath I realized I was not in irons, and maybe the wind pressure was the reason it was so hard to get up??  But Wow ... I'm sailing!!  I'm single-handing!!  Ummm, why doesn't my mainsail look right?  It seems to be catching the wind in a wierd position.  Ooops.... I forgot to release the boom topping lift.   Do you know how hard it is to release a topping lift on the bay on a windy day?  Ugh ... it's off and the boom swings away.  OK ... boy I am really sailing now..........and it is heaven!!!

Time to go back now, before it gets dark (because I still haven't found replacement bulbs for my nav lights).  Can't seem to get the darn boat to tack.  It turns to port 1/2 way through and goes back.  Where there is a will there is a way so I turn to the starboard and gibe.  That works and I'm harbor bound.  Now I'm near the entrance so I point into the wind, lower my jib, tie it down, and try to start the engine.  The da@@ engine won't start (insert expletive of your choice - I used many)!  Well ... I'll just have to sail through the harbor to my mooring ... I should be able to do this... I'm a graduate of Basic Keelboat.... Fifteen minutes later I've tacked my way a whole 3 feet into the harbor and almost ran into the breakway.  A kind fellow sailor with a beautiful 40+ footer under power of engine offered me a tow....Oh thank heavens!!  But he can't take me to my mooring because he has an 8 ft draft.... so he tells me to call the launch operator.... Um... I can't because I sort of left my hand held VHF at home... so this guy is probably thinking my boat should be named Blond Dummy, but he hails the launch operator who took over the tow and brought me to my mooring.  I packed everything up and said Good Bye to Blond Ambition for another week.

But hey... I was Sailing!!

[Steve]

Great Story! Sailing isn't always smooth but it sounds like you have the right attitude. My 23 won't tack well with a reefed main and furled jib. If it's blowing and I'm forced to reduce this much sail to stay on my feet I'll unfurl a little jib. The boat goes to wind better this way. When tacking, I let the little scrap of jib backwind (leave it cleated) until the bow moves through the wind. This wont work for you with your hank on jib but maybe you could wait a little longer to release your jib sheet until the boat is moving through the wind. Good luck and keep sailing.

Steve

[Ralph Erickson]

What an enjoyable story!  You have a way of eloquently putting into words what each of us has encountered at one time or another while sailing.  Hope you keep the stories coming.  You are doing just what I've often thought of doing.  I live in Eastern PA as well, and keep my boat at the marina at Lake Nockamixon, but I've thought of going to a marina in the Atlantic Highlands.  The only thing that keeps me from doing it is the fact that it's only a short drive to the lake, and I can sail during the evening after work.  That would be hard to do time wise if I were at the Jersey shore.  Enjoy!

[mrb]

Sounds like a great weekend, a little dancing. a great night aboard your own boat(thats the best kind of boat there is by the way) and adventures on the sea. 

[Bob23]

Sherie:
   Wonderful sequel to the premier episode of "Blonde Ambition"! Can't wait for next weeks show...and no commercials!!
   Keep on keepin' on. You'll do great and you certainly picked the right name for the boat. Suits you also.
   When I tack, I release my jib right away. (The main stays put- should be in fairly tight as changing tack is done best while close-hualed.) Then I throw the tiller over hard. As she comes around if she needs a bit of help, I'll also back wind the jib slightly (as Steve suggested) to help bring the bow around. As she's coming around, I take the opportunity to sheet in the job before too much wind pressure is in the sail.
   One thing that I've practised is before changing tack, I'll move the jib sheet to the other (windward) side of the ship. Then, when I release, I don't have to move to leeward to loose it. I make it sound confusing, but it simplifies the operation.
   Last thing...I give thanks for a succesful manuever!
   Keep sailing...keep writing!!!!
   Bob23, thinking about sailing around Cape Horn this week!

[curtisv]

Sherie,

Great story.  I hope everything goes well this coming weekend.

btw- For besr results tacking get some reasonable speed going, be sure that you are close hauled, and bring the mainsheet in tight just before the tack.  Don't release the jib until it is backwinded, then release and trim on the other side before the tack is done.  Trim quick and a little tight before you finish the tack and you'll never need to use the winch even when the wind picks up a bit.  Then ease the mainsail a bit to get better shape.  You'll get the hang of it soon enough.

I sail without a motor so I never have to worry about it not starting (but I darn well better know how to tack if I'm ever going to pick up my mooring).

Curtis