Initiation

[mrb]

I took At Ease out today and had another perfect day.  Started out with light but steady winds. One of those days on almost straight down wind run with main to one side and Genoa whisker poled to  other, making between 3 and 3 1/2 knots just kicking back.  Wind picks up later to make some nice reaching hitting 4 plus knots.  Finally gettin some sustained speeds of 5 knots.  Lots of scenery, cliffs,water falls great blue herons and ratcoons hunting along cliff lines.

Now what could top off a day like that.  A new experience?  Yep. after 42 years sailing I had a new sailing experience today. I finall took a large gulp of water over the coaming of my little 16. 
Now I can join that illustrious group of C-P 16 owners who have tasted the waters and found them OK.  At Ease popped back up and quickly gulp down the lake water with her trusty scuppers.  Maybe not quite as fast as her slacker of a skipper wanted but in her own good time.

The only down side was the water spirits exacted a toll of one gps for my inattention. Sucked it right off the seat she did.

A few skippers have confessed to taking on water,  I think it would be interesting if all who have tasted the water would step forward and tell their story.

Good sailing
Melvin

[doug]

I have only been sailing for 18 months and have never have water over the side. My neighbor was at the helm one afternoon while on a broad reach sliding down the sides of 2-2.5' chop with breezes in the 15 - 20 range generally having a real good time. Naturally this makes one thirsty and while I was stretched out between the cockpit and the cabin, fishing out drinks, we got a wave breaking over the side into the cockpit. Not a lot just a couple of gallons or so. Just to show it wasn't a fluke, within a half hour, he'd done it again. I think i'll ask him to drive next time the cockpit needs a bath.

[mrb]

I think before I try that stunt again I will take an idea from multimedia_smith and make a short hatch board.  The first thing I thought when I saw water heading for open companyon way was where is that board then I moved quickly to stern to direct water back.

Have fun washing cockpit just be careful. 

[multimedia_smith]

Now we're having fun!  But seriously, the boat recovers well from these little "scrapes"... a short board in the hatch does help ease the mind though as the water moves across when you tack.  I haven't had that happen since I got my new main... it's longer at the foot (8 inches) and a bit (3 inches) shorter on the luff and with no roach, the power is lower.  If it's really really blowin' the 60% jib does the trick, but for the most part the 110 for over 12 kts. 
One time I just held the main and tiller steady to see what would happen when it was almost dipping the rail... she goes over to a point and then really hangs in there... even if you get a little over the rail, it stays in the triangle formed by the seat and the coaming and if you don't immediately let off the main or head up, you won't get more in the boat.  There seems to be a point at which the rig simply won't push her further over and it just hangs tough on that edge.... pretty exciting at first and then, when you realize it's not going all the way over, it's less scarey.
For now, our lake is temporarily ruined by the release of billions of gallons of river water being let into it by the Corps of Engineers (yes they've done it to New Orleans again)... there is an incredible algae bloom and fish kill going on here... oh well, it's too hot anyway.
Cheers to all of you Northern Sailors... ENJOY!!
Dale

[B.Hart]

Sounds exciting! I have never (yet) had water come in the cockpit but have rode the rail deep a few times on big gusts and the sails pulled in too tight. the 16 has a solid feel when she finds her set.   BILL

[arw-16]

I have briefly touched the rail to the water but find it difficult to hold it there because of the weather helm.  Never had water come over into the cockpit, but it sounds exciting.  I just purchased a Coronado 15 as a second boat for light air.  I am sure I will get wet with it.