Learning to Heel in a CP 16

[MacGyver]

Hello Everyone! Haven't been on in a while! A bit too much for my plate around home.....

So last Friday, September 14th, Rich, Steve and Sarah where going out sailing on their CP 16s.
Rich just so happened to see my wife working at Wal-Mart and was able to came up with the idea that it would be cool if I could go with them all that day.
A little background before I continue: I have been trying all year to get on a sailboat and ride out some heeling affect. I work at a marina and have had a hell of a time getting to go with someone to try to help me get past this fear.
It was a real damper on my wife's and my sailing together because the "heel" just really got to me.
This was a chance to go with people I knew that I couldn't pass up if they would let me go along.

After calling Rich, and figuring out a rough time to meet up with them, I hurried at work excited to go along to terrorize myself.
I joined up with them about 1:20pm.

We left the dock and headed out to the lake, tacking frequently, and Rich having me control the helm. He was outstanding at explaining different things to me as we headed out, some stuff I knew, but some was really eye opening, and was very interesting how someone does things, versus how we do things.
We finally get out to the lake, and this is when the real insanity (FUN) began.

The wind picked up and we started to cruise along fairly well, but not real bad with heeling. Rich then moved to the Lee side of the boat up near the cabin. I was still on helm, windward side, mid cockpit.
As we went along he was guiding me through different scenarios of boating that I really knew nothing about, and hope I remembered the lessons correctly, showing me that during a tack how quickly the 16 turns about (ON A DIME!!) and wow! What fun!

Each time he quickly placed himself back in position on the lee side up against the cabin. The wind picked up.

Running at a 90 degree to the wind to best facilitate heeling, we ended up getting the rail in the water! WOW! I Yelled out: "ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW!"
Rich: "Keep holding that tiller! WOOOOHOOOOO!"
ME: "ARE YOU SERIOUS! HOLY SH**!! WOW!"

This occurred a number of times, 5 or 6, with atleast one time where she rounded up completely to which Rich responded so fast that I didn't have time to think!!!   He just told me what to do and we swapped sides as the boat tacked!   AMAZING!!

I think I remember Steve saying that he saw most of the hull (They were sailing right along with us) and heard a loud woohoo or yee haw or something as she spun about! LOL
I am sure my eyes were like half dollars, bout to pop out of my head! 

I want to use this post to thank Rich publicly, I thanked him a ton during and after the day, for this was a experience I needed.

Thank you Rich, what a fantastic teacher, and friend.
Also thanks to Steve and Sarah, for being witnesses! LOL

I hope to hang out with them again soon.
Rich took some pictures and video, and put them on his photobucket. Here is the link:
FAIR WARNING: I am a welder and fiberglass technician, and despite the smile on my face, was really stressed! So a cuss word or 2 can possibly be heard!
http://s789.photobucket.com/profile/ABV83cp16

Thanks to all for reading this and allowing me to share this experience.
Jason Davis (MacGyver)

[Greene]

Glad to hear that you got a chance to get out with Rich.  You can learn more from an experienced (and accomplished) sailor like Rich in a couple of hours on the water than from an entire season of learning on your own.  Rich has that quiet confidence that allows you to trust him and accept what he is telling you. 

Take those lessons and put your new knowledge to work.

Mike

[bimmerhead]

Guys,

This is a great post, heeling the CP-16 til the rail hits the water and water coming over the gunwhale takes nerve... It's always been scary for me in big winds, how far is too far?

One thing I noticed today in 15 gusting 25, is have everything in the cabin secure, I made this mistake today, sounds like all hell breaking loose when coolers and riggging boxes scoot from port to starboard and back again in big puffs..not to mention the ballast issues this creates at a very inopertune time.. but besides that, what do you guys do? short of reefing, what do you?

I singlehand mostly, but I'm self taught, so there are gaps in my sailing knowledge and research..I love my CP-16 for her sportyness to weather, but I'm still trying to figure out how to tone her down a notch or two when needed, like when there is no escape from a 30 kt. blow.. For now it's just like Rich said in the video background, hold it, hold it, hold it..

[Lafayette Bruce]

Great job Rich for your gentle and patient training and congratulations Jason on stepping over the line of your fear.  Now that you know the boat can handle it and it will take care of you, can keep building your confidence.
Lafayette Bruce

[kickingbug1]

   he's gonna be a sailor yet

[capt_nemo]

bimmerhead,

A few suggestions. Keep going out and pushing yourself (and the boat) a little further each time. Reef the main earlier rather than later. Reef the jib, yes I said REEF the jib. Whether roller furled or hank on, reefing the jib together with a reefed main will make a surprising difference. If jib is hanked on have a set of reef points sewn in, you won't regret it.

I can remember clearly sailing my Catalina 25 swing keel with reefed main and REEFED 110 Lapper (with reef points) in a blow on the Northern Chesapeake. Despite spray reaching back to the cockpit, my wife and I agreed that it was one of the most comfortable, balanced, exciting, and enjoyable sails we have ever had.

capt_nemo