First time out solo in gulf winds ever in a sailboat

[Bob23]

   This is true, Matt. With the new sails, more of the force is turned into forward motion because the foil shape of the sail is maintained. Think of looking at the sails from above. An old sail has the center of effort moved (was forward)Aft (changed by TG knowing exactly what Bob meant to say) because they have stretched and/or blown out. ( I might be incorrect on the term "center of effort" but you guys know what I mean.)  A  newer sail with the proper shape looks more like a profile of a airplane wing. Forward motion on the wing produces lift. Forward movement of the wind over a good sail produces lift also but on a boat is translated out to forward movement of the boat.
  She seems to like about 10-15 degrees of heel.  With my old sails, much time was spent fighting the boat while she tried to heel. It wasn't her fault, really, she was just reacting to that old bedsheet mainsail. After I treated her to new sails, unless I didn't reef early enough, the over-heeling was eliminated and she pointed  higher, tacked easier and moved faster.
   I haven't gotten knocked down as you have, Matt, but early in our relationship, I did go over to about 45 degrees. She took care of me. We're still in love.
Bob23

[WhiteShad-O]

I think I must be obsessive compulsive.  All of the experience (a full 6 times out on my 16) in my 5 week sailing career and I got it in my mind I wanted a bigger vessel.  I loved sailing from the first time I did it, much like flying, but without the fear of gravity overcoming the ability to fly.  Like I said, I couldn't help myself....so, I went and bought an 85' Catalina Capri 22 tonight.  Bob will probably recognize this one as its only two boats east of his in Dunedin Marina. Its absolutely stunning, stereo, vhf, gally, practically new standing and running rigging and no soft spots or crazing.  It even has beautiful sail covers and newer gyb furling running to the cockpit.  It needs a bottom job, but I've arranged to outhaul it after sailing it to my newly arranged slip in Hernando County.  For what I paid, I had to have it and can't wait to anchor out, put a CD in the player, turn on the lights and just camp a bit.  Can you tell I'm an excitable kind of guy?

So, I guess I won't be on the Compac site once I sell my 16 with its 4 h.p. motor.  I hope the guys on the Catalina site are as nice as the Compac guys (gals not excluded) seem.

I love to hear of experiences you experienced guys have, regardless of what you sail or the size.  I have to admit, hearing about looking down from the top of a tall wave may have me so full of fear once I park the boat I might not recover my interest.  Of course, I don't know what a sailboat of any kind will really take and have me remaining in a boat rather than in the water.  Thank for the tips too to all who put forth their experiences.

Eric Klee
Hudson, Fl

[Bob23]

Eric:
   You're certainly welcome to stop back and relate your sailing adventures here at the site. We all love sailing; some choose to sail other boats but the bottom line is we all love to be on the water and enjoy sharing experiences. So stop back from time to time. Let us know how the Capri 22 sails in comparison to a CP 16.
   Gravity. True, it seems more evident when your flying. I don't fly but my brother in law does and I've been up with him a few times. While rowing a homebuilt boat (my first) in Barnegat Inlet in the fog and in fairly cold water some years back, this though crossed my mind: "Here I am in this cold water that could kill me. Gravity, which is undefeatable, is trying to drag me to the bottom resulting in my death and the only thing preventing that is the bouyancy of this boat, the first one I've built". It was a sobering moment. When you understand that while gravity is trying to drag you down, bouyancy is trying to lift you up. Hooray for bouyancy!!!!
   Same with a plane but more so. Without forward motion, down you go.
Bob23
   

[Tim Gardner]

Eric,

I also have been bitten by the "bigger boat" syndrome.  I was given an H23 earlier this year and my CP-19/II is still punishing me with pleas to the weather gods to conspire to keep me from sailing.  I think she may be starting to forgive me, because the temps are supposed to soar into the 70's here in SW VA this weekend.

The 23 is almost too big to sail here in the upper end of SML so the 19 remains my first love.  But, MAN! does the 23 sail in the open big end waters.

The Admiral's broken ankle is mending pretty well - she now has a Boot.  It's aBOOT time she got back on the water sailing - hopefully this week end

TG

[Bob23]

ABOOT time? You're killin' me!!!! Glad she's on the mend.
I guess we all get the bigger boat itch from time to time but, I'd have to say that for the way I sail, my 23 is perfect. I like to think of the 23's as a mini-Flicka. I think the key is to define exactly what kind of sailing you plan to do, and get a boat that fits. I like my 23- I can go for a quick daysail, grab a nice sunset sail for a few hours after work, or go for a weeks cruise, (something I've yet to do.) She seems to perform ok in light air but is built stout enough to take some rough weather. Really a great boat! And, contrary to her reputation, she is no slouch although, as we all know, pointing is not her strongest suit.
Bob23

[bob lamb]

Well Erik

   You sure are a fast mover.  I'm glad you moved up to a bigger boat.  I do know the one you bought here.  I have never seen it move.  Glad she found a sailor that'll use her.  Please keep us posted on your adventures!

BobL

[Floyd]

Good capsize question, Eric...I don't think I've ever read or heard of a 16 capsizing? (  Or, for that matter a 23) Maybe in the big ocean?  I am not saying it's impossible, just saying I've never heard of it.

BobL

"Compac 16's go down by the bow."

That is a quote that I got today from Jay at Lake Fairview Marina in Orlando Florida.

I said "What?"

He repeated "Compac 16's go down by the bow."

After a pause I said, "Um, and do you know this first hand?"

Jay nodded yes with a slight sheepish grin.

Jay went on to tell me that he managed to turtle one of the marina's rental CP-16s on Lake Fairview. He said that a natural air pocket developed in the aft half of the boat, which kept the CP-16 from sinking to the bottom of Lake Fairview (apparently management frowns on this). Jay assumed that it was a natural design feature.

He went on to say that, based on this experience, if he had a CP-16 model with the open-able locker in the aft cockpit, that he would be certain to seal it tightly.
Lake Fairview is just over one mile at its widest, with no additional fetch due to residential housing. I know from sailboarding there years ago that the winds are always flukey. No, I did not ask him how he managed to turtle a CP-16 on a lake that small. I have done worse myself.

Floyd in Tampa Bay