Posts
The holidays have passed, and I'm looking forward to getting back and learning some more. Unfortunately, the parks website was down, so was unable to register until tonight. Glad it started working again, and that I didn't miss my chance.
I had a dream the other night. A former coworker stopped by the office, and asked me about my sailing classes. That night, I had a dream that the two of us were sailing a Capri together. He was piloting, and we were going to windward on a close reach when the boat started to heel excessively. I told him to turn downwind, and to pull the tiller toward him, but he was frozen, and we capsized. The boat actually turtled, and we had to right it and climb back in.
I've heard that we are ever character in our dreams (there's no one else's mind controlling the "other" characters). I can buy it - I'm gald that i knew how to flatten the boat out, but I'm reminded about my own trepidation as well. Hopefully I'll be more like the "me" character and less like my coworker's character when I go out on the 9th.
It looks like there are 4 other people already enrolled. I'm hoping the class won't be too full. I need to start doing some situps and pushups to get the fat midsection in line for leaning out over the rails.
***
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
No more private lessons
Turns out my private lessons are getting discontinued. The young man who was running the sailing center died suddenly, and Erin is now tasked with taking over his job, and will no longer be able to offer lessons on the side.
Just as well - too busy on Mondays with work, so...
She encouraged me to sign up for the intermediate class with the center, which I'll do. That means I won't get back on the water for lessons until Jan. Might see if Ed wants to enroll in the class so that it won't get cancelled due to low enrollment.
Hmm.
***
Just as well - too busy on Mondays with work, so...
She encouraged me to sign up for the intermediate class with the center, which I'll do. That means I won't get back on the water for lessons until Jan. Might see if Ed wants to enroll in the class so that it won't get cancelled due to low enrollment.
Hmm.
***
Monday, November 22, 2010
Leaning out!
Second lesson today alone with Erin. It was both fun and scary!
The fun part - noticed some improvement since last time out, smoother shifting my weight, a little better with my hands / coordination with sheet and tiller.
Today we basically ran broad reaches between a couple bouys, and I spent the time tacking back and forth. Was able to start getting my eyes on exit points and get the boat pointing out of the tack onto the planned trajectory with less correction than I previously had to make. I still had my moments of getting tangled in the main sheet (at one point I think I had it wrapped around my neck!), and stil had a few moments where the tiller got away from me, but I'll forgive myself and say that there was, at least, improvement.
Reaching between the marks was good fun. Erin finally got through to me with the idea that falling off helps to flatten the boat, and the practice has become a LITTLE more intuitive. After a few reaches back and forth, I got a couple good runs in; it felt really "great" during those moments when the boat was hustling forward, and my body was a balanced tension between leaning out and feeling the tension of the water against the rudder, pulling on my arm through the tiller extension. For lack of a better term, it felt "solid" at times, and maybe even, when all was right, "natural."
I still struggle once in a while with the tiller. For some reason, on random occassions, I seem to forget which way to move the tiller to point in the direction I'd like to point in, but I'm trying.
More than that, I have difficulty trimming the main - at times she was luffing so annoyingly, but I was a bit nervous about trimming her because the wind was pretty strong; Erin said it was about 10-15 knots, with gusts up to 20 (she mentioned that it's got to get to between 15-20 knots before the sand starts blowing off the beach, which it was doing). Anyhow, hiking out and getting a feel for balancing the boat was a real treat, if not a consistant one, but I'll work on it. A few sketchy moments, enough for Erin to remind me about how to handle a capsize. I thought that was pretty telling, and figured we might want to take it easy.
Came into the dock pretty hard - Erin let me know that when it's really windy, it's good to let the sails out before turning up into irons toward the dock, just to scrub off some speed. I didn't hit the dock or anything like that, but the approach was a little more dramatic that it needed to be.
After we docked and talked a little, the wind really started kicking up (that's when the sand started blowing). I didn't feel comfortable going back out, being as novice as I am, and Erin thought it was a good conservative call. She said she would not have let classes go out in that wind, but would have gone out with me since she would have been on hand to jump in if things got too ugly. Anyhow, I'm glad I didn't push it.
What else... For next time, I want to work on my jibes (stuck with tacks today - with the wind as it was, I just felt more comfortable), coordination, and steering. I have a feeling that I'll be working on all three (as well as tacking!) for years before I really feel 100% at home. I don't think Erin thinks it will take as long, but we'll see!
One question I had but forgot to ask... Assume you're on a beam reach and your sails are timmed nicely for a set wind speed.If the wind speed increases, without changing direction, should one ease the sails? The boat will heel more, I'd think, with the increased wind power, but wouldn't easing only cause them to luff?
I guess what I'm trying to figure out is whether sail trim is a function of wind speed, wind direction, or both, and how. I will try to think it through for next class before talking with Erin about it, too.
Today was fun AND scary. I can't wait till it's just fun...
***
The fun part - noticed some improvement since last time out, smoother shifting my weight, a little better with my hands / coordination with sheet and tiller.
Today we basically ran broad reaches between a couple bouys, and I spent the time tacking back and forth. Was able to start getting my eyes on exit points and get the boat pointing out of the tack onto the planned trajectory with less correction than I previously had to make. I still had my moments of getting tangled in the main sheet (at one point I think I had it wrapped around my neck!), and stil had a few moments where the tiller got away from me, but I'll forgive myself and say that there was, at least, improvement.
Reaching between the marks was good fun. Erin finally got through to me with the idea that falling off helps to flatten the boat, and the practice has become a LITTLE more intuitive. After a few reaches back and forth, I got a couple good runs in; it felt really "great" during those moments when the boat was hustling forward, and my body was a balanced tension between leaning out and feeling the tension of the water against the rudder, pulling on my arm through the tiller extension. For lack of a better term, it felt "solid" at times, and maybe even, when all was right, "natural."
I still struggle once in a while with the tiller. For some reason, on random occassions, I seem to forget which way to move the tiller to point in the direction I'd like to point in, but I'm trying.
More than that, I have difficulty trimming the main - at times she was luffing so annoyingly, but I was a bit nervous about trimming her because the wind was pretty strong; Erin said it was about 10-15 knots, with gusts up to 20 (she mentioned that it's got to get to between 15-20 knots before the sand starts blowing off the beach, which it was doing). Anyhow, hiking out and getting a feel for balancing the boat was a real treat, if not a consistant one, but I'll work on it. A few sketchy moments, enough for Erin to remind me about how to handle a capsize. I thought that was pretty telling, and figured we might want to take it easy.
Came into the dock pretty hard - Erin let me know that when it's really windy, it's good to let the sails out before turning up into irons toward the dock, just to scrub off some speed. I didn't hit the dock or anything like that, but the approach was a little more dramatic that it needed to be.
After we docked and talked a little, the wind really started kicking up (that's when the sand started blowing). I didn't feel comfortable going back out, being as novice as I am, and Erin thought it was a good conservative call. She said she would not have let classes go out in that wind, but would have gone out with me since she would have been on hand to jump in if things got too ugly. Anyhow, I'm glad I didn't push it.
What else... For next time, I want to work on my jibes (stuck with tacks today - with the wind as it was, I just felt more comfortable), coordination, and steering. I have a feeling that I'll be working on all three (as well as tacking!) for years before I really feel 100% at home. I don't think Erin thinks it will take as long, but we'll see!
One question I had but forgot to ask... Assume you're on a beam reach and your sails are timmed nicely for a set wind speed.If the wind speed increases, without changing direction, should one ease the sails? The boat will heel more, I'd think, with the increased wind power, but wouldn't easing only cause them to luff?
I guess what I'm trying to figure out is whether sail trim is a function of wind speed, wind direction, or both, and how. I will try to think it through for next class before talking with Erin about it, too.
Today was fun AND scary. I can't wait till it's just fun...
***
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
My Butt Hurts!
Just realized today that my bum hurts! Eric noted that when I would switch sides of the boat, I'd sort of slam down on the bench rather than move fluidly / smoothly from side to side.
Today I could feel the consequence - the bones in my butt are tender from all the tacking / jibing exercies, like when one rides on a hard, race-oriented bike seat after not riding for years.
Note to self - be SMOOTH!
***
Today I could feel the consequence - the bones in my butt are tender from all the tacking / jibing exercies, like when one rides on a hard, race-oriented bike seat after not riding for years.
Note to self - be SMOOTH!
***
Monday, November 15, 2010
First sailing class with private instruction
Today I met Erin at the sailing center for our first lesson. I realized two things - 1. It's hard for me to identify wind direction, and 2. I need to lose some weight if I want to sail dinghies!
The majority of the "work" for me was trying to develop some muscle memory and dexterity when it comes to handling the tiller and main sheet during tacks and jibes. My movements were extremely clumsy and lacked any coordination. The tiller would get stuck behind my back, the extension sometimes caught on my life jacket, it was a real mess. On top of that, I'd get frustrated and sometimes turn the tiller the wrong way in the middle of a turn... ugh.
I decided to go back to the docks and just work out some movements in the boat - trying to figure out how to move most efficiently during each type of turn, what to do with my hands, where to hold the extension, tiller sheet. I basically did stationary tacks and jibes for a good 30-40 minutes, before going out again.
I think this helped a lot. The more that it can become muscle memory based, the less I have to think about it and the more attention I can pay to keeping sights on where I want to go, being sensitive to wind direction, and trim.
I also had some nerves when it came to the heeling of the boat. I think I'll get over that pretty quick. I wish, though, I had started saiing as a kid - without any fear, it woudl be a lot more fun to learn. you would just sort of "be" good at sailing, without having to "try" to learn how to do it.
Anyhow, after the lesson, I still feel very alientated from the boat, but maybe just a little less so. Will be doing more of the same next week...
***
The majority of the "work" for me was trying to develop some muscle memory and dexterity when it comes to handling the tiller and main sheet during tacks and jibes. My movements were extremely clumsy and lacked any coordination. The tiller would get stuck behind my back, the extension sometimes caught on my life jacket, it was a real mess. On top of that, I'd get frustrated and sometimes turn the tiller the wrong way in the middle of a turn... ugh.
I decided to go back to the docks and just work out some movements in the boat - trying to figure out how to move most efficiently during each type of turn, what to do with my hands, where to hold the extension, tiller sheet. I basically did stationary tacks and jibes for a good 30-40 minutes, before going out again.
I think this helped a lot. The more that it can become muscle memory based, the less I have to think about it and the more attention I can pay to keeping sights on where I want to go, being sensitive to wind direction, and trim.
I also had some nerves when it came to the heeling of the boat. I think I'll get over that pretty quick. I wish, though, I had started saiing as a kid - without any fear, it woudl be a lot more fun to learn. you would just sort of "be" good at sailing, without having to "try" to learn how to do it.
Anyhow, after the lesson, I still feel very alientated from the boat, but maybe just a little less so. Will be doing more of the same next week...
***
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Capsize Drills
Today was our last class. We took a written test followed by a knot quiz. It was really straightforward and easy. I'm glad I'll be getting one-on-one time with an instructor going forward.
Ed and I were the first to run through the capsize drill. We had decided before doing it who would be doing what, and we were criticized afterwards, but a new guy at the center, for the way we divided up the labor. Oh well. I slipped while getting in the boat, which was a little embarassing, but more than that, when I was pulling Ed in, after we righted it, I slipped again. This time, I fell flat on my back, with the small of it landing right on the tower where the main sail gets cleated. Had it not been for my life-jacket, it would have hurt like hell. I wince at the thought of it, and am thankful I didn't hurt myself. The experience gave me an idea of how quickly things can go wrong and how careful one has to be while on a boat! I could have broken my back!!
Talked with Erin on the phone afterwards and we're scheduled to have our first class on Monday, November 15. Really looking forward to it.
***
Ed and I were the first to run through the capsize drill. We had decided before doing it who would be doing what, and we were criticized afterwards, but a new guy at the center, for the way we divided up the labor. Oh well. I slipped while getting in the boat, which was a little embarassing, but more than that, when I was pulling Ed in, after we righted it, I slipped again. This time, I fell flat on my back, with the small of it landing right on the tower where the main sail gets cleated. Had it not been for my life-jacket, it would have hurt like hell. I wince at the thought of it, and am thankful I didn't hurt myself. The experience gave me an idea of how quickly things can go wrong and how careful one has to be while on a boat! I could have broken my back!!
Talked with Erin on the phone afterwards and we're scheduled to have our first class on Monday, November 15. Really looking forward to it.
***
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Private Lessons with Erin
Heard back from Erin - Private lessons are a go!
I'm excited. Will work out details later, once she knows her class schedule and when she'll be free. most likely will sail once a week (probably on Mondays or Tuesdays) for 3 hours at a time. I told her my short-term goal was to learn enough to allow me to sail confidently and comfortably from Leeway Sailing Center to Shoreline Harbor and back. She said it was a good goal. I'm stoked.
Sunday is our last beginner class. We will be doing capsize drills as well as taking our "test" to graduate from the beginner class. Afraid the water is going to be cold...
***
I'm excited. Will work out details later, once she knows her class schedule and when she'll be free. most likely will sail once a week (probably on Mondays or Tuesdays) for 3 hours at a time. I told her my short-term goal was to learn enough to allow me to sail confidently and comfortably from Leeway Sailing Center to Shoreline Harbor and back. She said it was a good goal. I'm stoked.
Sunday is our last beginner class. We will be doing capsize drills as well as taking our "test" to graduate from the beginner class. Afraid the water is going to be cold...
***
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)