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azziriaThe floor's still not exactly stable, which is mildly entertaining. Obviously it doesn't take me long to get my sea legs.
Sailing this weekend was utterly brilliant, and I've learned so much (including just how much I still need to learn). There were four of us (two experienced, two trainees) on a 32-foot sloop, just messing about in boats. I can now bring a yacht neatly alongside the dock, even if it's into a space between two other boats. I can manoeuver around in harbour, including turning through 180 degrees within the boat's own length. I can pick up a mooring buoy. I can retrieve a man overboard (OK, a bucket-tied-to-a-fender overboard, but the principle is the same!) when under power (under sail is far, far more difficult - that's what our 'instructors' were practising). I can put the sails up and reef the main. I know the basics of how to tack and how to gybe. I know what the boat feels like sailing with the wind from different points. I know how to back the sails to come to a halt.
But best of all, absolutely best of all, I know how it feels when the boat tightens up as she comes up into the wind, sailing close hauled and heeled sharply over in a fresh breeze, pulling against you to bring her head further into the wind so that you have to brace yourself against the wheel to keep her course steady, with the deck heaving under your feet and the spray in your face.
Awesome. I'm hooked.
Sailing this weekend was utterly brilliant, and I've learned so much (including just how much I still need to learn). There were four of us (two experienced, two trainees) on a 32-foot sloop, just messing about in boats. I can now bring a yacht neatly alongside the dock, even if it's into a space between two other boats. I can manoeuver around in harbour, including turning through 180 degrees within the boat's own length. I can pick up a mooring buoy. I can retrieve a man overboard (OK, a bucket-tied-to-a-fender overboard, but the principle is the same!) when under power (under sail is far, far more difficult - that's what our 'instructors' were practising). I can put the sails up and reef the main. I know the basics of how to tack and how to gybe. I know what the boat feels like sailing with the wind from different points. I know how to back the sails to come to a halt.
But best of all, absolutely best of all, I know how it feels when the boat tightens up as she comes up into the wind, sailing close hauled and heeled sharply over in a fresh breeze, pulling against you to bring her head further into the wind so that you have to brace yourself against the wheel to keep her course steady, with the deck heaving under your feet and the spray in your face.
Awesome. I'm hooked.
