The Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and crew...

Sails can be great - we lived on a sailboat in another incarnation - but try going up river with a sailboat or beat into a 6 knot current. Powerboats have a realm all their own where a sailboat (with any sense fears to tread). We also discovered (and still observe) that most sailboats are VERY slow powerboats with a stick - probably 90% of the sailboats we observed this summer in the PAC nw were under power (or should I say, under-powered).
 
El and Bill":qdadiixp said:
probably 90% of the sailboats we observed this summer in the PAC nw were under power (or should I say, under-powered).
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The other 10% were at anchor outside the entrance to Fisherman's Bay waiting for the tide to come in so they could travel up the shallow draft channel to the Lopez Islander..... :wink
 
El & Bill,

I'm glad you noticed that because Caryn and I constantly remark how most of the sailboats are under power around here. Could it be that on the real windy days when we choose not to be out there, that's when the sailboats are our there, with the sails up?
 
During the 3 years we cruised the Pacific North West in our Cal 46, we probably sailed only 10% of the time--other parts of the world we sailed at last 80% of the time--and when we didn't it was because of lack of wind. A good motor sailor is an excellent compromise, but there are few of these which are trailerable.

The sail boats probably are not out when it is really windy, since most do not have pilot houses. (We sat out only one day because of too much wind or rain in 3 years, but we had a pilot house sailboat).

Jim--I do believe that you have almost as many "toys" as I have--looks like a "Class B" pulling the sun cat!

I have been thinking of a small cat boat for sailing fixes...but I suspect that I am too old at this point...
 
thataway":1p3uhr64 said:
...
Jim--I do believe that you have almost as many "toys" as I have--looks like a "Class B" pulling the sun cat!

I have been thinking of a small cat boat for sailing fixes...but I suspect that I am too old at this point...
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After today, I am feeling too old, Bob!

I finished working on the SunCat this morning and launched her. After 6 months of not sailing, I forgot how much work this is! 8) As many of you know, I have generally considered myself a sailor in a powerboat... well, the metamorphosis may be complete. I missed the stand-up height in the cabin, the quiet when the motor is running, the protection of the enclosed steering station, and all my wonderful electronics. :mrgreen: (Joan lent me her hand-held GPS so I had some idea of speed).

I took the catboat once around the island... need to knock the rust off the sailing skills. I blew two tacks today (haven't done that in years); to be fair, the wind was pretty light. The Weather Channel was forecasting the wind to be 10-15; the local channel was calling it 5-10. When I got out there, it was a blistering 4 with occasional gusts to 4.5. With the sail up and the motor off, I quickly accelerated to 2.8 miles per hour. :roll: This may give you non-sailors an idea of why you see sailboats motoring frequently.

By design, catboats are close to the water. The perspective felt different... ships looked bigger, the wake from passing boats felt bigger. Catboats are beamy; they tend to sail flatter than most sailboats... still, I missed the stable feeling of the C-Dory. With the temp close to 90º, I had the bimini up. My neck and shoulders are sore from stretching around the bimini to see the windex. When the wind picked up a bit (all the way up to 8 mph), I got the boat speed up to about 4.5 on a downwind run... running with the wind made it feel that much hotter. After a few intentional gybes, the sailing began to feel better again. Turning to a nice broad to beam reach, the boat speed picked up a bit, and it felt much cooler.

It felt good to sail again, but I really missed Wild Blue! On the bright side, I spent most of the afternoon out on the water and spent about 50¢ on fuel.

If you are in the market for a nice catboat, Dr. Bob, I may know of one that might be coming to the market. 8)

Best wishes,
Jim B.

You call this "electronics"???

GPSe.jpg

Autopilot...

AutopilotE.jpg
 
Jazzmanic":1lkm87ts said:
I'm glad you noticed that because Caryn and I constantly remark how most of the sailboats are under power around here. Could it be that on the real windy days when we choose not to be out there, that's when the sailboats are our there, with the sails up?
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For some sailors, it's part of the enjoyment to run without the motor as much as possible. Less wind, put up more sail; more wind, reef it down. Unless it's a multihull, displacement sailboats are limited in speed by hull length. No mater how much wind, you're still going to do pretty close to hull speed. More wind just makes for more heeling, more pressure on the rig. While the ride is different (and some will certainly say better) with a displacement hull vs a planing hull in big wind conditions, most of the time it's still a lot of work. When the wind/water conditions are perfect (and that varies with the boat), sailing is exhilerating. Too much or too little wind can be less fun.

The PNW seemed to have a lot of that too much/too little while we were there, making motoring more prevalent. In other areas (like south Texas or the Carribbean) where the wind is pretty consistent, you see a lot more sailboats actually sailing.

On days where the wind would be howling, we'd come back into our canal and hear the neighbors say, "Bet that was fun out there today!" as we'd pass by. We'd smile, nod, and wave... and look forward to a soak in the hot tub. :wink:

Folks with trawlers are generally limited in boat speed, but they enjoy just plugging along. Same with a lot of sailors, but when the wind is good, it's nice to turn off the motor and enjoy the ride. If you're out for the day, with no destination, you can go where the wind is most favorable... but if you're trying to get somewhere and the wind is on the nose (or too much or too little), it's time to fire up the motor.

From my point of view, most sailboats are "twin engine" - one that runs on fossil fuel and the other that is powered by the wind. One takes a bit of muscle to engage and some forethought and planning to utilize; the other takes a turn of the key and a slight push on the throttle.

I think I've been spoiled by the C-Dory's ability to run economically at those same trawler speeds and push the throttle forward when I want to make some miles. 8) But when the wind is perfect, I still have thoughts of where to mount a mast.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Jim

Really enjoyed your description and explanation of the use of sail or motor on sailboats and your comparison of small power boating and sail boating. Other than reading about the big races in the south pacific and atlantic, I know nothing about sailing and with very few words you answered many of the questions I've wondered about in an entertaining way.

Very pleased you are continuing this thread while back at home.

Jay
 
I got a small taste of sailing last year with my neighbor, who has been sailing for a couple of years now and can take out the larger sailboats from his sailing club at Shilshole (still pondering what / whether he will buy his own boat). He has started walking in the mornings with the Palace Guard Dog and me each weekday (two miles around our loop), and mentioned again that I can go sailing with him whenever I want, I will definitely have to take him up on this. On day sails we of course were not going anywhere in particular, just out to be out and enjoy Puget Sound. I enjoyed it quite a bit, it is just a totally different experience! But not cashing in Daydream on a sailboat, sorry, just not going to happen, pretty much for the same reasons Jim has elucidated!
 
e·lu·ci·date [i-loo-si-deyt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation verb, -dat·ed, -dat·ing.
–verb (used with object)
1. to make lucid or clear; throw light upon; explain: an explanation that elucidated his recent strange behavior.
–verb (used without object)
2. to provide clarification; explain.

Besides expanding my powerboat skills, this place has helped with my vocabulary. :wink: Prior to this, I thought Elucidate was one of those trashy dating shows on TV.

Yesterday was one of those perfect sailing days - the wind was around 12-14 and steady. It gave me a real opportunity to knock the rust off the sailing skills. I took the SunCat out solo and had a great time. I'm satisfied that I'll be able to race next week and not embarrass myself (unless the other racers use big words like Pat and Mike do 8) ... I'm pretty comfortable with any swearing that may be necessary).

Today, the wind was blowing 15-20 (I saw 16.2 for an average on the wind speed indicator - that's an anemometer for Pat and Mike). Enough that I needed to reef the mainsail (actually, the only sail on a catboat). The boat speed was about the same as yesterday. Joan made lunch and joined me on the boat today, so it was more fun. :D

Main lesson learned: just like C-Dorying, time onboard is more fun when you're sharing it with your favorite someone.

I have a little more work to do on the catboat, and then Wild Blue will get some attention again before we head north for the races.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
An interesting anecdote on the whole sailing and powerboating thing.

Years ago some of the fishermen at my marina and I had the whole "blowboat/stinkpot" thing going on a friendly level, but they accepted me because I was always the only sailboat out there fishing with them, at times even pulling planer boards for walleye.

Anyhow, one day it was really honkin', 25 plus with 5-7 footers and larger, closely-spaced and steep stuff. I grabbed a couple of the guys, put them aboard and headed out for some fun. We were double-reefed and had about half the headsail pulled out and were trying all points of sail, just enjoying the exhileration of the afternoon, throwing spray everywhere, but mostly on us. Initially they were scared (Boy, did I like that after all of the crap they had given me!), especially on a beam reach, but soon they were amazed at the seaworthiness of the boat and the fun that they were having.

When we got back one asked, "How fast were we going?"

'Well, we saw eight a couple times."

The other's response, 'We may have speed, but you really have power."

The good-natured kidding mostly dropped off after that. One of them even came to my defense when some moron started bad-mouthing sailors in a very derogatory fashion.

Like Jim, I'll always think of myself as a sailor.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
I find sailng different than power boating--even though I have done both most of my life. Sailing presents more challanges for me. Some are sailing a high performance dinghy--such as a Lasser or Finn. The skills are a reflex similar to snow skiing. If you make a mistake, you are in the water, or if you are racing--you loose. There is both a self challange, if your are sailing alone, or if you are racing-- to win the race.

The sailboat uses the natural forces--wind, and waves--you have to understand, and watch the weather--looking forward to the best wind--and wind angle. You have to know the currents and seas.

You can build the entire boat--including the rig and sew the sails, so there is the challange of construction as well as skills of sailing the boat.

Then there is the big boat sailing--both cruising--where oceans are crossed, or racing. Racing may be only for a few miles on a lake or in a harbor, across the ocean or around the world. There is nothing like an ocean race crossing an ocean which binds men (and women) together. You are together for 24 hours a day weeks at a time, resting for 3 hours, then standing watches for 3 hours in very close quarters. My closest friends are those who I have sailed ocean races with.

For me sailing was both relaxiation and challanges. The sea and conditions are always changing--plus a sailboat was a magic carpet to explore the world in a way which I never could been able to by any other mode. We were able to sit at the table with Muslim fisherman from Morraco, an indian from San Blas Islands or a multibillionaire from Germany--and all be equals--at least for that moment, as we shared the sea.
 
OK, and one more difference we've come across in the past few days.

I'm a weather nerd... I like watching the Weather Channel. For the past few days while I've been messing with the sailboat, I find I check weather a LOT closer before I leave the dock. I want to know wind direction and speed... if I can get an hour-by-hour forecast, even better! When we head out in the C-Dory, I'm good if I checked weather last night... look out at the sky and go (this is local running, btw).

I tackled the last sailboat project today: the centerboard pennant needed to be replaced. The best way to do it is put the boat up on a lift or sling, run the line down from the cockpit through the sole, go underneath and tie it off with a bowline. The marina wanted $90 to pull the boat up with a forklift. $90 for about 10 minutes! I said, "Thanks, but no thanks." New plan: stitch the new line to the end of the old, dive under the boat, pull the line through. Come up and breathe, take a knife down and cut the old line. Come up and breathe, separate the old and new lines. Dive under the boat and tie a bowline onto the centerboard. Come up and breathe. Pull the centerboard up, dive under and check it. When it doesn't go all the way up, come up and breathe, dive back under and retie the bowline with a tighter loop.

Roger will be happy to know that I was able to do this 10 minute job in only a little over an hour. There was a lot more diving and coming up to breathe stuff than I originally figured. I didn't plan for any of the head whacking on the boat bottom; so that took some extra time. On the bright side, the canal is fairly shallow and murky, so I had to be within 3 inches of the line and/or centerboard to even see them.

To keep this C-Dory related, when I was done with that project, I swam around Wild Blue with a brush to clean the fine layer of slime off that has accumulated in the last week. I plan to take the sailboat out for a couple hours tomorrow, then put it up on the trailer. She's ready to roll.

Tomorrow is Joan's birthday, so there will be breakfast out, lots of adoring, and some time on Wild Blue if that's what she wants. Demanding schedule... I'm doing my best to keep up. :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
JamesTXSD":1ed33ry9 said:
<stuff clipped>
Roger will be happy to know that I was able to do this 10 minute job in only a little over an hour. There was a lot more diving and coming up to breathe stuff than I originally figured. I didn't plan for any of the head whacking on the boat bottom; so that took some extra time.
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Boat OK?

JamesTXSD":1ed33ry9 said:
On the bright side, the canal is fairly shallow and murky, so I had to be within 3 inches of the line and/or centerboard to even see them.

To keep this C-Dory related, when I was done with that project, I swam around Wild Blue with a brush to clean the fine layer of slime off that has accumulated in the last week. I plan to take the sailboat out for a couple hours tomorrow, then put it up on the trailer. She's ready to roll.

Tomorrow is Joan's birthday, so there will be breakfast out, lots of adoring, and some time on Wild Blue if that's what she wants. Demanding schedule... I'm doing my best to keep up. :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim B.
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Tell Joan Happy birthday from me. BTW - just cause it's her birthday, doesn't mean you can wear your birthday suit... :wink:
 
Hi Roger,

The boat's fine... thanks for asking about my head. :roll:

I'll tell Joan you send birthday greetings. No photos of the birthday attire... what do you think: bow tie or traditional neck tie with the "suit"? :twisted:

Best wishes,
Jim
 
How about a small string tie. You want everything the same width too! :shock:

Happy Birthday Joan. Just close your eyes tight, it'll go away! :embarrased

Charlie
 
Funny... real funny. :amgry

Bow tie it is... one of those BIG polka dot clown ties. Try to get that image out of your head. :shock:

We pulled the sailboat out this morning, after I took Joan out for breakfast. When I said, "It's your day, what do you want to do?" She said, "Let's take Wild Blue out and grill supper out in some cove."

What a woman! :thup :love :D

Best wishes,<br>
Jim
 
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