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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

In which I chronicle my first attempts to sail.

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JudOWNED
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2010 : 17:42:56

So here's some pics from Day 1. They are not great. I wanted to get pics of the boat while sailing, and there's pretty much only one view you can get of that from the cockpit. But here they are anyway.

I've been pretty busy, so I haven't had a chance to write up the first part of Day 2 yet. I also took the family out for my first solo-sail last weekend and will have both pictures and a short write up that too.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2010 : 13:10:45

Do your halyards have a lot of tail on them when the sails are down?

reminds me of mine, as I've intended to run them back to the cabintop, but have not finished the mast plate install.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2010 : 13:18:49

Ray, I wonder if they're that long to allow for running them aft sometime down the road.

Matt, don't cut them shorter until you're absolutely sure you should.

Edited by - on

Unsinkable2
Captain

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USA
273 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2010 : 06:08:06

I just finished running all mine aft (and converting from wire/rope to all rope). Easy conversion - took about half a day. Only ran into three unexpected problems:

1) had to file some rouch edges on the cast aluminum masthead
2) had to run to the hardware store for some longer bolts for the deck organizers - the cabin roof features sections of varying thickness.
3) had to cut a couple of washers to accommodate the thickness changes mentioned in number 2.

And one more tip for anyone considering this - the CD directions mentioned using double stick tape on your deck organizers to get the position exactly right before drilling. Great advice. I installed triples on each side, so the spacing had to be perfect - there was about 1/4" margin of error between the poptop and grabrail for the lines running back to the clutches.

Ok, I feel a little off topic, but I just finished this project so its fresh on my mind...

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2010 : 08:35:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Unsinkable2
 ...I installed triples on each side, so the spacing had to be perfect - there was about 1/4" margin of error between the poptop and grabrail for the lines running back to the clutches.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">To continue the hyjack, the organizers can be mounted at a more fore-and-aft angle (not simply 45 deg.) to bring the lines closer together along-side the pop-top.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 04/29/2010 08:36:37

JudOWNED
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2010 : 09:33:04

I do have extra line when the sails are up, but I don't know if it's enough to run to the cockpit. Also, I'm surpirsed no one mentioned my lack of a boom vang!

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2010 : 09:39:35

Remember, if you choose to shorten them, and I probaly would NOT, do it while they are attached to the sails and the sails ARE DOWN!

Edited by - John Russell on 04/29/2010 09:40:12

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2010 : 13:52:02

Boom Vangs are nice but not mandatory and many don't have them.

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4029 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2010 : 16:18:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">To continue the hyjack, the organizers can be mounted at a more fore-and-aft angle (not simply 45 deg.) to bring the lines closer together along-side the pop-top.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Dave, Good point.

Edited by - on

JudOWNED
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2010 : 10:03:39

So, I’m going to abandon my intended format, because so much has happened since my last entry. I Had the first part of my Day 2 lesson, then went sailing just myself and the family two Saturdays in a row and then had the second part of Day 2.

Day 2 was split, because that first weekend we still had extremely light air. So DJ and I just met to review some textbook stuff and planned the sailing portion for May 2. But I had been bitten by the bug, so that next weekend (now 2 weeks ago) we stayed on the boat Friday night and then went sailing Saturday. I’ll have some pics up later. It went very well. My wife was able to handle the casting off and docking procedures and was able to take the tiller while I went forward to raise the sails. And, so far everything on the boat seems to be holding together well.

Started out sailing on a reach, but then as the day progressed sailed downwind some and finished by sailing close hauled. Everyone had a good time, including the little girl. No issues and no problems. Wife was able to take the tiller again and keep us into the wind while I lowered the sails and we motored in. Docked with no problems.

The next weekend, just this last Saturday, we repeated the procedure, staying on the boat Friday night (had our first rain) and sailing Saturday. I was a little more aggressive and spent a lot more time sailing close-hauled and got a pretty good heel going a couple of times. Just headed up into the wind to take a little pressure off anytime it got too “exciting” for the family.

Also, due to the wind direction that day, spent a lot of time sailing on a run. Hardly felt like I was moving a lot of the time, so I resolved to ask DJ about it at our next lesson. Had to make a second pass at the dock to get in, but we did it.

We did, however, run aground. Ugh. Lake Monroe is a shallow lake and I thought we were in a safe/deep area, but I clearly felt the keel dig in. We were sailing on a close reach and I felt her immediately want to turn away from the wind. I let her and let out the sails hoping the wind (now on a run) would push us off. It didn’t quite, so I jumped into the cabin and cranked up the keel up a couple turns and we were off. Disaster averted.

The next day it was my second half of lesson 2. DJ jury-rigged a boom vang for me with some line and reefed the main. We headed out and the first thing was figure eights. We did that for a while, making sure I had good control over the boat (which I did). Then we did our man overboard drills with a fender wrapped in a life vest. Head away on a beam reach, for 4 boat lengths. Come about and head on a broad reach. Then come up to a close reach, letting the jib luff, which by that point should be directly toward the man overboard. As you approach, let out the main till it luffs and slide to a stop with the MOB on your lee.

I successfully retrieved the MOB both times I attempted it. However, I never really was able to bring the boat to a stop. Every time the wind would either shift, or I’d fail to maintain the close reach so that, even let all the way out, the main would still get some wind and give the boat way. But for the test, I think I just need to be moving at “less than 1 knot” so I should be okay.

After that, we were pretty much done. If I may say so, DJ told me I was already well ahead of the curve. She decided to go ahead and show me how to heave-to, even though that’s not part of the test. And, let me tell you, that is a very cool maneuver! Going to be very handy when out with the family. We also just sailed around some and got the rails wet sailing close-hauled.

When docking (under power) I realized why I had more difficulty the second time I tried it than the first. Wind is out of the south now and was blowing us away from the dock! Lol That’s something I never thought of when my wife and I were attempting it.

More pics tomorrow, I hope!

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2010 : 11:13:05

Matt,

Glad to see you're handling the new boat so professionally.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2010 : 14:29:31

Terrific Matt.

When things start getting too exciting you can also try loosening the traveler so that you don't lose all your momentum. That also reduces weather helm. If your boat continually rounds up on it's own , reduce sail.

It's a huge blessing that your family is into it, just don't over expose them and burn them out. I have to clutch myself as if it was up to me, I'd sail everyday. I'd be sailing right now....hmmm wind looks good, sunny...hmmmm....

Edited by - on

JudOWNED
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2010 : 16:55:33

Well, since I try to avoid posting pics of my family unsecured on the internet, this is all you get. Two pics of my ugly mug raising the sails!

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2010 : 04:03:24

I can see that smile on the mug, Capt'n.

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2010 : 12:09:04

My better half on a very light day recently.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2010 : 06:06:38

Wow Matt, I didn't realize you were right around the corner! I've fished lake Monroe a few times in the past. Regarding your MOB drills, if it were to really happen I think I'd go ahead and turn loose the sheets, crank the motor and get that person out of the water as fast as possible, don't let the gators get there first!

Seriously, have you ever been out at night and flashed a light around? 100's of gators! And you've probably been made aware that that shallow water gets really ugly really quickly in a storm, right?
If you'd ever like to do some salt water sailing give me a shout at waveless96 at cfl dot rr dot com.

Edited by - on

JudOWNED
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2010 : 06:37:38

Hey thanks Dave! It's deifnitely my goal to do salt water sailing eventually, so I'm sure I'll take you up on your offer some time.

As for the gators, I've never been on there at night (other than the marina), but we've done a lot of boating on the St. Johns before we had the C25. And I've seen lots of gators even during the day! It always amazes me when I see people swimming, or tubing and skiing in the lake! lol Crazy, imo.

Edited by - on

JudOWNED
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2010 : 05:13:52

So tomorrow is my last day and testing. Going to have to take a 150 question (or thereabouts) written test and then do a sailing practicum. Will have to tack three times, jibe three time, figure 8 and MOB drill each as crew, and then again as skipper. Wish me luck!

Edited by - JudOWNED on 05/07/2010 05:14:21

JudOWNED
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2010 : 15:33:28

Testing went great. I passed the sailing and written portions (only one wrong on the written, which I think I could have argued it, had I been so inclined). So, I'm going to get some sort of ASA certification in the mail now, which is cool.

After that, we spent the night on the boat again and then went sailing Sunday. And yes, that was what my wife chose to do for mother's day! lol

Here it is ready for an evening of dinner and cocktails.

And here we are sailing on Lake Monroe. It actually looks a lot less scenic in the pictures than it does IRL.

Edited by - JudOWNED on 05/10/2010 15:34:44

JudOWNED
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2010 : 15:57:22

At last, here are some pics that a friend on another boat snapped of us sailing. They are low quality as they were taken on her phone, but still.

Edited by - JudOWNED on 05/28/2010 15:58:35

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