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!