Got in a final sail yesterday - in Michigan! Procrastination pays off.

[Cevin c Taylor]

I had thought that the sailing season was over for this year, but I managed to get my '83 CP16 in the lake for a last sail yesterday in Ford Lake, near Ann Arbor, Michigan.  It was a beauthful day - sunny, windy, temps in the upper 50's.  It was the biggest wind I've sailed in yet, some very minor white caps forming.  I know that doesn't sound like much for you experienced guys, but being only my sixth sail, it was fine for me.  I notice I'm feeling more confident in handling the boat, not as nervous when she heels over.  I took the outboard with me, but ended up sailing away from the dock and back under sail.  Had a really great time.  I went with a buddy who has wanted to go out for a while, but we haven't been able to find a good time bor both of us.  Finally made it work yesterday.  One funny incident - I had bought one of those suction cup mounted things to hold a couple of beers and stuck it on the front of the cabin, to the side of the companionway cover.  When I hauled on the jib sheet - it pulled the thing off and we had beer all over the cockpit.  Getting in a sail this weekend made me realize, too, that a smaller boat I can store in my back yard has some real advantages.  On very short notice I decided to take her out, and it took only a few minutes to assemble everything and hook up the trailer, etc.

[Bob23]

   What? You spilled the beer? Well, we've all done it. Glad you got out for a final sail. Sadly, I had my boat (1985 23/2) hauled Friday and now she sits on her trailer with a forlorned look. "Cheer up" I say. Spring isn't that far away.
   Isn't is great to sail away and back to a dock or mooring? This summer, I've only used my motor once or twice to sail back to the mooring. It really builds boat handling skills although once in my case, it almost ended in disaster. But we won't talk about that here.
bob23

[capt_nemo]

wolverine,

Sounds like a great time was had by all. Reminds me of the learning curve I had MANY years ago learning (teaching myself, after reading the books) how to sail in a Venture 21. Took several sails to get used to the heeling of the boat.

Eight boats later, I'm still enjoying sailing and working on boats down here in SW Florida.

Think I'll take my Com-Pac Sun Cat out tomorrow for a Monday sail - avoids the weekend crowds at the ramps and those pesky powerboats!

capt_nemo

[crazycarl]

i also went sailing yesterday.  well sort of.  we had the grandsons over night and the moment the 4 year old stepped out of the van, he asked if i would come sail with him in HIS boat.  he announced that it would be ok because i was a captain too.  we sailed for about an hour until the sun started to set and the temp dropped.  we sailed past pirate island and along the shark infested coast of an unknown mountain land. we pumped gallons of shipped water out of our bilge from the squall we encountered, and watched as the dolphins swam along side boat, jumping so high in the air, they almost touched the migrating geese above.
the mast and tiller may have already been removed for the winter and the interior stripped, but it was one of the finest sails i have ever been on, and will cherish for some time.


                                                                                                                                             carl

[Cevin c Taylor]

Carl - thanks, cool story!  I've often thought that I wish I would have bought my boat when my kids were 3 or 4 years old.  Now I have to bribe my teenagers with food or something else to get them to go out with me.