[Rhodes22-list] Pointing Problem

[Bill Effros]

Paul,

I was taught it is irresponsible to tack back and forth in harbors.  I 
see people doing it in my harbor, and smashing into moored boats, or 
cutting in front of other boats that clearly have the right of way.  A 
couple of people a year get killed around here sailing when they should 
be motoring.

When there is no traffic I sometimes practice, just to make sure I can 
sail up to my mooring single handed, or sail to the dock, get off my 
boat and tie it up single handed. 

I've got a pretty good idea of how high  I can point, and how long it 
will take me to get from where I am to where I want to be.  I rarely use 
more than 10 gallons of gas a year, and I go out 50 to 75 times.  I 
always motor out of the harbor to make sure all systems are working 
properly, and usually motor back into my mooring.  There is very little 
margin for error at low tide where I am moored.

I sail into trouble 1 or 2 times a year.  I quickly deploy an anchor 
when I get into trouble, to give me the time to figure out what to do 
next.  I try not to sail out of trouble unless I'm sure it is the best 
course of action.

I use a GPS to calculate how long it will take me to get back to my 
mooring, and a cell phone to advise my wife.  These tools have proved 
quite valuable.  In my mind I always want to think I can point higher 
than I can point, or that the wind will remain steady in the exact 
direction I need it to go.

I doubt you will ever be able to point high enough to overcome errors 
made at the start of your sail regarding distance and bearing from 
home.  I am very careful about this when I sail if I have to get back by 
a certain hour.

Bill Effros



Paul Krawitz wrote:
> To Bill Effros,
> Yes, I have an engine...
>
> But I tend to stand on circumstance and am quite stubborn about beating back
> unless the setting sun beats me home.
>
> Only then will I give in and turn on the engine.
>
> It's immature, I admit.
>
> Paul K
> "Clarity"
> __________________________________________________
> To subscribe/unsubscribe or for help with using the mailing list go to http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> __________________________________________________
>
>