Just a wee bit of a blow, HA!

Our Monday, June 11, Social Sail gave us almost an entire spectrum of wind in three hours.  At the start, the conditions were calm, hot and muggy.  There was much harassing of the Commodore who promised last Saturday 10 knot winds on this evening.  Being the sailors that we are, we decided to head out in two boats and determined to find at least some breezes.  We bob about while practicing naming the parts of a sail boat.  We also practiced reading the water to see where the wind was and from what direction.  Suddenly we finally found a sailor’s nirvana. 

“There’s wind coming across from the south!” Pretty soon we were underway (HA! thought the Commodore).  In one boat, a new member’s first time in a sail boat was placed on the tiller and was doing surprisingly well.  Watching the water it was evident the winds were building fast.  By 7:45 pm the winds were peaking at 9 knots. “Just a wee bit of a blow, HA!”  “Pull the green line and we’ll reef the main”.  Oops, the green line broke.  Quickly, white caps were beginning to form on the water.  “Looks like we got us a bit of a gale, HA!”  As the skipper struggle to sort out the referring the reefing issue a cry was heard from the back of the cockpit of the boat.  “A GALE, HA! I’m a novice and I don’t start my Pinch Hitting course until next week, HA!”  The skipper had forgotten who was still on the tiller during the rush to properly trim the sails.  Everything turned out well and we had a great fun.  In two weeks, we’ll be practicing “Man Over Board”.  This is one of the most important activities that the club does each year.  It could save a life, even your own.

(author's note: HA is not a nautical term)

Prepare to tack!

Well today, June 9, we have our first Social Sail for the 2012 season.  We started with light east wind which was just perfect to shake off our landlubber legs from the winter.  We had a great turnout of our members of both new ones for the club and the old returning crew (we’re not referring to their age).  We sailed out four boats with friends of the club chipping the two extra ones.  Getting re-familiar with the names of the parts on a boat was the first challenge.  “Hanks, ya that’s what those things are called!” “Which one is the halyard?” etc. You get the picture.  Everyone got away from the docks without any problems which is largely due to all the members that help clean up, tune up our boats in getting ready for this season.  Thanks guys for doing such a great job.  Andante took the lead with Epic and friends following closely behind.  We spent a good three hours on the lake going every which way we wished.  The new members had plenty of time on the tiller getting that rush feeling of sailing a boat.  The sounds of the wind, water rushing by and sailors yelling at the Epic crew for hogging up the lake.  Great fun and it was only a taste of what to expect for the rest of season.  The next Social sail for members is Monday.  Can’t wait!