These words remind us that as we grow older, preparedness becomes even more important. Our experience may be outweighed by lack of agility and sound judgement..
I got into trouble when I lost my only anchor. Singlehanded, I had been using the anchor to hold the boat in shallows so I could rest multiple times a day just. It was an overnight trip and I had to finish the trip with no anchor and that is no fun. No rest as - being hove to wasted too much precious distance in the wrong direction.
I now carry 3 anchors.
Like I said, I was using it to keep me in the shallows so I could rest. The look on my face must have been priceless as I threw out the anchor and chain overboard. It went down without the rode. A pin had gotten loose.
I harken back to being late forties, an experienced sailor for well over twenty years at that time, ten years included of wind and tide and oars. Coming out from behind Tongue Point in the lower Columbia aboard my O'Day 28, wind blowing like stink, wrong hank on jib. Oops. Inexperienced crew. Failure to look ahead far enough by the captain..me. As we emerged from behind the point, we became captive to the five foot steep chop and 30 mph winds bending around the point. Things were happening fast! I chose to shinny out onto the plunging foredeck to pull down the jib. As i crawled forward the realization came over me that this was the last time I'd ever pull this inexperienced stunt. Believe me, I was worried! Survived it all to have a great sail back to harbor a few miles away and many fine sails thereafter. Being careful to look ahead.
What Howard wrote reminded me of the sailor's adage "If you think it is time to reef, the answer is always yes." It also reminded me of another of Howards axioms "Get-There-itis kills".
When I approach challenging situations on the water, I'll review in my head my plan B and plan C, etc. I also take the view that ideally, if bad conditions are taking over, I want to be able to take what could be scary or even dangerous, and make the situation instead only annoying. :-)
Part of it is about knowing your limits. After reading Howard's stories in SCA, like his trip to Tierra del Fuego, I can readily admit that his limits are a lot further "out there" than mine - and there's no shame in that! I always enjoy learning from him in SCA.
These words remind us that as we grow older, preparedness becomes even more important. Our experience may be outweighed by lack of agility and sound judgement..
I got into trouble when I lost my only anchor. Singlehanded, I had been using the anchor to hold the boat in shallows so I could rest multiple times a day just. It was an overnight trip and I had to finish the trip with no anchor and that is no fun. No rest as - being hove to wasted too much precious distance in the wrong direction.
I now carry 3 anchors.
Like I said, I was using it to keep me in the shallows so I could rest. The look on my face must have been priceless as I threw out the anchor and chain overboard. It went down without the rode. A pin had gotten loose.
Check your gear, dummy, every time.
I harken back to being late forties, an experienced sailor for well over twenty years at that time, ten years included of wind and tide and oars. Coming out from behind Tongue Point in the lower Columbia aboard my O'Day 28, wind blowing like stink, wrong hank on jib. Oops. Inexperienced crew. Failure to look ahead far enough by the captain..me. As we emerged from behind the point, we became captive to the five foot steep chop and 30 mph winds bending around the point. Things were happening fast! I chose to shinny out onto the plunging foredeck to pull down the jib. As i crawled forward the realization came over me that this was the last time I'd ever pull this inexperienced stunt. Believe me, I was worried! Survived it all to have a great sail back to harbor a few miles away and many fine sails thereafter. Being careful to look ahead.
What Howard wrote reminded me of the sailor's adage "If you think it is time to reef, the answer is always yes." It also reminded me of another of Howards axioms "Get-There-itis kills".
When I approach challenging situations on the water, I'll review in my head my plan B and plan C, etc. I also take the view that ideally, if bad conditions are taking over, I want to be able to take what could be scary or even dangerous, and make the situation instead only annoying. :-)
"Get There-itis" is so real and it probably makes most of us go out when we shouldn't.
I just read the Ad Lib column. Thanks, that was food for thought!
Well said Howard. I love to pretend I’m winging it, but the reality is I keep my sailboat or kayak prepared and always have a backup plan in place.
Part of it is about knowing your limits. After reading Howard's stories in SCA, like his trip to Tierra del Fuego, I can readily admit that his limits are a lot further "out there" than mine - and there's no shame in that! I always enjoy learning from him in SCA.
So true.
It about sums it up: the line between not enough wind (boredom) and too much wind (fear).
It's unexpected, in mother nature's control (prepare as we may) and maybe that's what keeps us going back.