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In which I chronicle my first attempts to sail.

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JudOWNED
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/12/2010 : 09:23:42

So, I am new to sailing, new to Cat 25 ownership and new to this forum. Not much I can contribute, therefore, except perhaps this. I start my sailing lessons next weekend, and thought it would be cool if I blogged about them a bit here, for the benefit of other newbies and the entertainment (for surely I will make some high-larius beginner's mistakes!) of the more experienced sailors.

I will be taking the 3 day Basic Sailing Course here: http://www.usailflorida.com. We are using the USCG approved "Sailing Fundamentals" as the textbook, though I have been given some supplementary materials and also own US Sailing's "Basic Keelboat."

I was instructed to read the booklet and and mail in the test for the Florida Boater's Safety Card, which I have done. I was also instructed to read the first 4 parts of Sailing Fundamentals, to help minimize classroom time. I am only through the rather lengthy Part One so far, and just started Part Two. And I was to learn the bowline, figure-eight, square reef, cleet hitch, clove hitch and round turn and two half hitches. Though I would stop short of saying I have mastered these knots, I can replicate them well enough.

For the record, I am new to sailing, but not new to the water or boat ownership. I had a brief flirtation with owning a 1989 Larson runabout. 19’ with a v6 engine and stern drive. Loved it and used the heck out of it until it died on us after about a year. Freeze plugs went and the subsequent leaking water froze the drive-shaft. It was going to cost more to repair than the boat was worth so we sold it at auction. Since then (and before that as well) I’ve spent a lot of time in canoes and kayaks. Nothing terribly exciting. No whitewater or anything like that, just paddling about in lakes, mostly. Though, I have done some ocean kayaking.

Sailing and Sailboat ownership has been a long time dream of mine and it is finally coming true. A year or 2 of lake sailing to learn the ropes and get the boat ship-shape, and then we’ll try the inter-coastal. After that it will be time for some coastal cruising. Maybe down to the Keys. And eventually I hope to retire onto a 40’ Ketch for some serious cruising.

But it all begins here. More to come…

Matt W.
1983 C25 SR/SK
Monroe Harbor Marina
Sanford, FL.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2010 : 09:30:40

I'm looking forward to reading about your adventures.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2010 : 10:16:49

A few weekends back it was blowin and I took out a newbie, he had never sailed and he had just bought a catalina 27. After he watched me sail some I gave him the tiller and instructed him to keep it into the wind when it blew hard. Everytime it blew us over I would smile and go "Whooo Hooo" and he finally admitted it was "kinda Scary".

So... Whoo Hooo to you! You will love it.. Just try to make friends with other local sailors, they love seeing you learn the easy way.

And... any way we can help.. Catalina's are very forgiving boats.

Oh yes, and we love hearing the stories..

Edited by - on

Don B
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2010 : 12:47:33

Looking forward to hearing about your adventures...and I'm sure Captain McCabe will have everyone's undivided attention..

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2010 : 15:00:29

Matt, congrats on living your dream! There is nothing more exciting, fun and relaxing than sailing. Sounds like you are starting off on the right foot. Also if you can hook up with another Catalina 25 owner, that will be invaluable learning experience.
Also please consider joining our Association. Membership keeps this site going. Just click on the "Join" button on the top right. Its only $22 and membership has its privileges. You can read about that in the General Forum, under, "Why Join".
Looking to hear about your adventures and photos are great to post as well.
Steve Auerbach, Treasurer

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5430 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2010 : 17:19:41

Welcome to the forum, and bravo! to you on taking on this very rewarding sport, activity or lifestyle.

While practical sailing is the main point of learning to sail, and handling yourself, your passengers and your boat safely under a wide variety of conditions, please keep in mind that having fun is key.

A major part of sailing, talking about sailing and learning to sail is learning the terminology. There is a rich and varied vernacular among sailors and boaters of all stripes, and you have an advantage already having had boating experiences.

Learn the names of all parts of the boat - cold. Bow, stern, beam, mast, rigging, lines, sheets, cleats, blocks, booms, all the sail types, all the parts of the sail, tillers, gudgeons and pintles and that little thingie that does such and such. Much of it comes with time and experience, but you can spend time learning incrementally, and keeping your focus on that.

There's an old saying that "the use of specialized terms among practitioners of a discipline is a conspiracy against the laiety". Doctors, lawyers, engineers, clergy. But really, terms are really the tools of the trade.

When you're out on the boat with a more experienced sailor, there is nothing that can stop you in your tracks more quickly than having a person yelling at you to "harden the port jib sheet after you've come about".

Or "look out, we're about to gybe!" Bonk - that's why they call it the boom!

As in all activities, language is extremely important.

But the gang here on the forum will help you with that. Recently, I was talking about the upper and lower shrouds on the mast which I frankly had never discussed before - and I called them something very non-standard. A few helpful folks provided me with the correct terminology, and we moved on.

There are lots of basic sailing books that you can review for in-depth drawings and pictures with captions and arrows. Quiz yourself on terms. It's a real fast track to learning to sail. And of course, getting out on the boat, and putting all that book learnin' to work!

Edited by - on

JudOWNED
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2010 : 03:48:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Don B
 Looking forward to hearing about your adventures...and I'm sure Captain McCabe will have everyone's undivided attention..

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You say that like you know her! lol Does she post here?

Edited by - on

Don B
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2010 : 08:34:21

Don't know her and don't think she posts here, but I did take a look at her picture in the "About Us" section of their site...she would certainly have my attention..just saying

Edited by - on

superbob
Navigator

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USA
200 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2010 : 12:37:41

Several thoughts to a new sailor aside from the obvious:

#1 Brush up on Murphy's Laws. It helps in understanding the nature of sailing and life in general. Here's a couple: "Nothing is as easy as it looks". "If anything can go wrong it will."

#2 You mentioned that you've learned how to tie a few knots. Here's an Internet link that's been useful to me in the past and one which I still refer to now and then: http://www.animatedknots.com/

Good luck and happy sailing.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4316 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2010 : 13:05:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Don B
 Don't know her and don't think she posts here, but I did take a look at her picture in the "About Us" section of their site...she would certainly have my attention..just saying

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I know where I'm going to get my ASA certs in the future!

Edited by - on

JudOWNED
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2010 : 13:10:34

You guy's are just suckers for a girl who can handle a halyard!

Edited by - on

windsong
Captain

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USA
318 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2010 : 13:46:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JudOWNED
 You guy's are just suckers for a girl who can handle a halyard!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Amen. And heaving-to is foreplay!

Welcome to the forum, and to sailing. Keelboat 101 is a great way to get down the basics. Sailing often is the key, and you've got a great boat for that purpose. You'll be single-handing that 40-footer in no time!
Besides all the great advice given here, I would add to read a lot of personal-experience sailing books. There's an entire body of literature on that theme and the best is really good and quite helpful.

Edited by - on

JudOWNED
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2010 : 17:54:04

I'd be happy with any suggestions, Windsong. I haven't found much in the way of travelog style books, but I've already read a lot of the Aubrey and Hornblower stuff. And I've watched quite a few sailing doc's and films. Wind (which was fiction of course), a documentary about some kids sailing the trans-pac, and a really disturbing doc called Deep Water about some guy who went insane after he entered a round the world race.

Edited by - on

windsong
Captain

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USA
318 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2010 : 18:31:32

I'm sure others will weigh in on this. I recommend: "The Long Way," Moitessier (anything by him, actually); "Around the World Alone," Joshua Slocum; "Maiden Voyage," Tanya Aibi; Voyage of Madman; Godforsaken Sea... that'll get you started.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2010 : 21:20:48

Eric Hiscock's books ("Cruising Under Sail", "Come Aboard", "Wandering Under Sail", "Around the World In Whisper III", and others) of their several circumnavigations aboard several Whispers. They are great reads, interesting views of our planet over time, and the Hiscocks knew more about sailing than I could ever learn. Those are my all time favorites, but "Cruises With Kathleen" by Donald Hamilton (he wrote a number of "Matt Helm" mysteries, so his writing is polished) is entertaining as it is about his return to sailing after many years in fast powerboats. I've never forgotten a line in his book (maybe not exact) "compared to a powerboat, fast in a sailboat is dead slow". They aren't textbooks, they are real stories suffused with with knowledge and experience.

Edited by - on

Don B
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2010 : 05:29:24

Matt, several years ago I took the beginner, intermediate, and advanced sailing courses at the local sailing squadron. Lo and behold, at the end of the advanced courses, a classified ad caught my attention, and shortly thereafter, I was the owner of a Catalina 25. The instructors at the squadron spoke very highly of the Catalina. It's a whole new language and a continuous learning process...but most importantly, it's fun! Force yourself out of your comfort zone and, when ready, single hand as often as possible (in the right conditions). Your confidence will soar and before you know it, you will be backing into your slip with your eyes closed..and remember Dave Bristle's line..."Never approach a dock faster than you are willing to hit it!"..Absolutely! Put your hands on every sailing magazine, or book you find. Walk the docks and talk with other sailors, sail with other sailors. You have a lifestyle directly in front of you that will put you closer to nature than you ever could have imagined...enjoy!

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2010 : 06:06:35

Our path to the C-25 family was similar, but different. I spent a year being rail-meat for a guy racing a C-27. Then went for a series of weekend keelboat courses, and then bought Iris.

There is value in both the formal, informal, and racing educations. I'm pretty relaxed on the boat, it takes care of me if I take care of it. A load of good info on these boards too (which I have neglected the past few months).

You'll have fun. Get as much out o fthe classes as you can, invite some sailors to come out with you a few times, and take the opportunity to go out with them. You'll figure it out quick.

If you haven't done it already, sign the kids up for dinghy classes and make sure each of them has a tether and proper fitting lifejacket.

Edited by - on

JudOWNED
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2010 : 10:24:11

Update. Tomorrow’s the big day. I’ve been working feverishly to get the boat clean and ready to sail. The 1984 9.9 Evinrude has been serviced and purrs like a kitten. I got one of the batteries charged and we have some lights, not that we’re going to be out at night anyway. At least, the bow light works! lol Stern light is out and needs to be replaced and the day was too bright and sunny to tell if the mast lights worked. All but one of the cabin lights works too. And I have most stuff safely stowed, for a daysail anyway.

The weather here tomorrow is supposed to be beautiful. 83, partly cloudy and 9mph winds. I’d say that’s just about perfect for my first sail. Bringing food and drink because I was told to expect to be on the water all day.

If I read the syllabus correctly, we should only be working with the main tomorrow. Sailing on a reach is first. Then we’ll cover tacking (upwind) and jibing. Sunday will be the Jib and Main. That’s good because, near as I can tell, I only have one line suitable for a jib sheet. lol I let the instructor know via email and haven’t heard anything back. So I figure either she’s going to supply me with some surplus line, or she’ll tell me what to get tomorrow.

Wish me luck fellas. I’ll try and snap some pics on my phone. And pray nothing disastrous happens like the keel falls off!

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2010 : 12:21:58

Matt,

How long is your "one line suitable for a jib sheet"? It could well be all you need. Many of us have a single line doubled over in the middle (attached to the jib with a cow hitch) that serves as both port and starboard jib sheets. I'm not certain but I think mine is something around 65'-75' in length. I use 1/2" line.

Good luck. Does this mean your lessons are on your boat? If so, that's very good for you.

If you're going to be on the water all day, did you get the head situation figured out?

Edited by - on

JudOWNED
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2010 : 12:34:53

Yes, unless the instructor has made a change of plans without consulting me, they are going to be on my own boat. Which is very cool, becuase not only will I learn the specific intricacies of the C25, but it will be like doing a shake down cruise with a Pro. And I do have a porto-potty to use in the meantime. It's not much more than a bucket with a seat, but it'll do. ;)

I have no idea how long that line is. It came with the boat and is still coiled and hanging from the stern rail. But I'll check it out. Thanks.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2010 : 12:53:39

75' of 1/2" Stayset is cheap and will be plenty. You can always shorten it later if you choose. Or you could be smart and do what she suggests.

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2010 : 14:30:08

Men don't need port-a-pottys or heads.

If you bring along a wench that's another thing all together!

Edited by - on

JudOWNED
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2010 : 20:07:05

I'll post something a lot longer tomorrow. But, in short, Saturday we had an extremely light air and were becalmed several times, and today we had no wind again, but did have rain, so we ended up rescheduling. What little sailing I was able to do was awesome. But then, I aleady knew I would love sailing. Learned a TON about my boat specifically, including some problems I need to fix. And it is now really ready to sail, unlike when I only thought it was before! lol

Edited by - on

JudOWNED
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2010 : 06:47:08

Day 1: In which I learn that a weather forecast of 5-10 mph winds really only means that at some point in the day the wind may reach 5-10 mph, even if it is late and only for a few minutes.

[For those in the tl;dr (too long; didn’t read) crowd, skip to the last paragraph for a summary.]

So my first day of sailing lessons, which was also my first day of sailing, started off with meeting Captain DJ at my boat around 9:00am. I swabbed her down as she was covered with dew, got her opened up and inhabitable. Then we spent the first hour and a half to two hours reviewing boating safety and the parts of the boat.

DJ had already warned me that it was going to be a “light air” day, and she was concerned about that because, apparently, it can be as difficult (though far more safe, I imagine) to learn to sail in too little wind as too much. Now, as you all know I thought it was going to be a perfect, sunny day with 5-10 mph winds. However, I was using TWC’s weather.com which turned out to be pretty lame. DJ explained to me that a wind forecast only means that the forecasted winds will be attained at some point in the day, but there could still be no wind the rest of the day.

Instead of weather.com, she turned me on to weatherbug.com. Weather Bug has up to the minute wind info and an hourly wind forecast for the day. DJ sadly informed me that the wind forecast for the time we were going to be on the lake ranged from 0 to about 3 mph, very light air. But there was plenty to do and we still wanted to give it a go. So, we commenced with getting the boat ready to sail.

First thing we noticed was that there were no tell-tales on the boat. Fortunately DJ had a couple in her bag, which we attached to the upper shrouds. It would turn out that the sails didn’t have any either, so I sent my wife to West Marine to get a pack, which we planned on attaching Sunday. But at least we had a couple on the boat for now. Then, we got the rigging ready.

My boat has the wire halyards attached to rope halyards. The wire halyards are not long enough to be attached to the bow or stern when not in use. They don’t even reach the life-lines at the beam! So, we rigged some pieces of line by tying them to one of those posts (name escapes me at the moment) that hold the life lines and then attached the halyards to those. We also un-fouled the foresail rope halyard from the mainsail wire halyard. Then we coiled and cleated off the rope halyards in their appointed positions of port side for the foresail and starboard for the main.

I should mention that during all this, while walking all over the boat, we discovered the FORESTAY (!) shackle was MISSING ITS COTTER PIN. Yikes. DJ calmly informed me that if the shackle came undone, which it could do without the cotter pin, we would lose the mast. Fortunately, DJ also had a spare one of those, which I inserted.

Now we had already inspected the main, se we undid the ties, attached the halyard and had it all ready to go. Then we pulled out the foresail. Turns out it is a 110 jib in wrinkled, but otherwise serviceable condition. And guess what I discovered when we pulled it out of the bag? The jib sheets were already attached to the clew! And they were also in decent shape. DJ then showed me how to attach the jib, starting from the bottom. Then we ran the sheets back to the cockpit and folded the jib up a bit and pinned it down with a bungee until we were ready to raise it. This was done, I was told, so that on windy days the sail doesn’t get blown around, obstructing visibility or possible falling into the water and dragging there.

And finally, it was time to sail! We cast off, motored out of the marina and then headed into the wind to raise the main. Now, on my boat the only rigging that runs to the cockpit is the sheets. So, I had to walk to the mast to raise the main, which I did. It went up with no problem, we killed the motor and we were sailing. Right when we started was when we probably had the best wind of the day, though I suspect it still did not even reach 5 mph. But we were moving.

DJ demonstrated all the points of sail, and then had me do the same. While we were doing this she was constantly explaining about how the sails worked, how to set them, trim them etc. In the light air we were in, she also bemoaned the fact that my boat does not have a boom vang, which is something I will eventually have to remedy.

We then covered tacking and jibing, and she had me do both. By this time the wind was nearly nonexistent, however, and when it did blow it was unpredictable, constantly shifting. I swear that when sailing by the wind close hauled I ended up steering to all points of the compass at one time or another. So, I was accomplishing all this in what seemed like slow motion. “Ready about?” “Ready!” “Helm-a-lee!” Tick, tick, tick… Waiting… Still waiting… Aaaaannnnd… There! Whew. Made it.

We raised the Jib and then repeated all that with both sails. By this time, however, the wind had basically died. Once, when attempting a jibe, the tell tales just went limp and we slowed to a stop. I’d say we were becalmed at least half a dozen times at various points. Eventually, as it neared 5pm, we dropped the jib, followed by the main and headed in.

She helmed the boat into the dock and went over the procedure with me. Then we talked about tying up the boat, using spring lines, etc. She showed me how to flake the sails and we stowed them. And that was it for Day 1!

So, we had light winds which made for slow sailing. We were becalmed several times, and I discovered my boat is missing a boom vang, a winch handle and the diaphragm on the Guzzler needs to be replaced (does anyone know if that’s the 400 or the 500?). But I sailed. And it was awesome. The only reason it was a little frustrating is because I was trying to learn and that was difficult without any wind. But had I just been out there with my family, enjoying the sun, listening to some music and sipping a cold beer, I wouldn’t have cared at all about the wind and would have just been enjoying a relaxing daysail!

Tomorrow, Day 2: In which I learn my lesson from Day 1.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2010 : 14:34:57

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JudOWNED
 Day 1: In which I learn that a weather forecast of 5-10 mph winds really only means that at some point in the day the wind may reach 5-10 mph, even if it is late and only for a few minutes.

[For those in the tl;dr (too long; didn’t read) crowd, skip to the last paragraph for a summary.]

So my first day of sailing lessons, which was also my first day of sailing, started off with meeting Captain DJ at my boat around 9:00am. I swabbed her down as she was covered with dew, got her opened up and inhabitable. Then we spent the first hour and a half to two hours reviewing boating safety and the parts of the boat.

DJ had already warned me that it was going to be a “light air” day, and she was concerned about that because, apparently, it can be as difficult (though far more safe, I imagine) to learn to sail in too little wind as too much. Now, as you all know I thought it was going to be a perfect, sunny day with 5-10 mph winds. However, I was using TWC’s weather.com which turned out to be pretty lame. DJ explained to me that a wind forecast only means that the forecasted winds will be attained at some point in the day, but there could still be no wind the rest of the day.

Instead of weather.com, she turned me on to weatherbug.com. Weather Bug has up to the minute wind info and an hourly wind forecast for the day. DJ sadly informed me that the wind forecast for the time we were going to be on the lake ranged from 0 to about 3 mph, very light air. But there was plenty to do and we still wanted to give it a go. So, we commenced with getting the boat ready to sail.

First thing we noticed was that there were no tell-tales on the boat. Fortunately DJ had a couple in her bag, which we attached to the upper shrouds. It would turn out that the sails didn’t have any either, so I sent my wife to West Marine to get a pack, which we planned on attaching Sunday. But at least we had a couple on the boat for now. Then, we got the rigging ready.

My boat has the wire halyards attached to rope halyards. The wire halyards are not long enough to be attached to the bow or stern when not in use. They don’t even reach the life-lines at the beam! So, we rigged some pieces of line by tying them to one of those posts (name escapes me at the moment) that hold the life lines and then attached the halyards to those. We also un-fouled the foresail rope halyard from the mainsail wire halyard. Then we coiled and cleated off the rope halyards in their appointed positions of port side for the foresail and starboard for the main.

I should mention that during all this, while walking all over the boat, we discovered the FORESTAY (!) shackle was MISSING ITS COTTER PIN. Yikes. DJ calmly informed me that if the shackle came undone, which it could do without the cotter pin, we would lose the mast. Fortunately, DJ also had a spare one of those, which I inserted.

Now we had already inspected the main, se we undid the ties, attached the halyard and had it all ready to go. Then we pulled out the foresail. Turns out it is a 110 jib in wrinkled, but otherwise serviceable condition. And guess what I discovered when we pulled it out of the bag? The jib sheets were already attached to the clew! And they were also in decent shape. DJ then showed me how to attach the jib, starting from the bottom. Then we ran the sheets back to the cockpit and folded the jib up a bit and pinned it down with a bungee until we were ready to raise it. This was done, I was told, so that on windy days the sail doesn’t get blown around, obstructing visibility or possible falling into the water and dragging there.

And finally, it was time to sail! We cast off, motored out of the marina and then headed into the wind to raise the main. Now, on my boat the only rigging that runs to the cockpit is the sheets. So, I had to walk to the mast to raise the main, which I did. It went up with no problem, we killed the motor and we were sailing. Right when we started was when we probably had the best wind of the day, though I suspect it still did not even reach 5 mph. But we were moving.

DJ demonstrated all the points of sail, and then had me do the same. While we were doing this she was constantly explaining about how the sails worked, how to set them, trim them etc. In the light air we were in, she also bemoaned the fact that my boat does not have a boom vang, which is something I will eventually have to remedy.

We then covered tacking and jibing, and she had me do both. By this time the wind was nearly nonexistent, however, and when it did blow it was unpredictable, constantly shifting. I swear that when sailing by the wind close hauled I ended up steering to all points of the compass at one time or another. So, I was accomplishing all this in what seemed like slow motion. “Ready about?” “Ready!” “Helm-a-lee!” Tick, tick, tick… Waiting… Still waiting… Aaaaannnnd… There! Whew. Made it.

We raised the Jib and then repeated all that with both sails. By this time, however, the wind had basically died. Once, when attempting a jibe, the tell tales just went limp and we slowed to a stop. I’d say we were becalmed at least half a dozen times at various points. Eventually, as it neared 5pm, we dropped the jib, followed by the main and headed in.

She helmed the boat into the dock and went over the procedure with me. Then we talked about tying up the boat, using spring lines, etc. She showed me how to flake the sails and we stowed them. And that was it for Day 1!

So, we had light winds which made for slow sailing. We were becalmed several times, and I discovered my boat is missing a boom vang, a winch handle and the diaphragm on the Guzzler needs to be replaced (does anyone know if that’s the 400 or the 500?). But I sailed. And it was awesome. The only reason it was a little frustrating is because I was trying to learn and that was difficult without any wind. But had I just been out there with my family, enjoying the sun, listening to some music and sipping a cold beer, I wouldn’t have cared at all about the wind and would have just been enjoying a relaxing daysail!

Tomorrow, Day 2: In which I learn my lesson from Day 1.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Super light wind like that can be the toughest to sail in, especially on a lake, as it gets real flukey. 10-to 15 would be perfect to learn with and not too "sporty." I like wind to be 15 to around 20knts.

Welcome to the forum and we'll be looking forward to your updates.

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4029 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2010 : 15:04:01

Like Peter said, Light wind is difficult to learn in. You can buy the boat but you can't buy the wind.

Edited by - on

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