I backed out of the slip and headed out the channel. As soon as we turned into the main channel Charlie talked Lisa through raising the main then the jib. Winds were coming from the west/southwest and very light. We were on a starboard track. Sometimes we thought we were stopped but the sails stayed full and we just cruised along on a beam reach. Hope I have this correct.
As we cruised along Lisa was full of questions for Charlie. This was making me very happy as I was worried that she would not be very interested in sailing and this would be something I would have to learn to do alone. I would sale Miss Froggy before I would leave Lisa behind.
We sailed out the channel to about Magnolia Beach as the wind had pick up. We did a little heeling so Lisa could see what it was like. She loved it. Time to turn around an head back in.
Just as soon as we turned the wind changed and we sailed back on a starboard track. Same sail setting as going out. Charlie said that he had not experienced this before here in the bay. Out and in on a port track. The closer we got to the marina the wind had picked up an the bay was rougher. Charlie walked Lisa through lowering the jib and then the main as we motored back the the marina. Got her in the slip and put her to bed.
Tomorrow is not to be a good sailing day with 20+kt winds. I've got some thing I want to do to her so I'll drive over to the marina in the morning. I found a bimini fame and want to see if it will fit. The sun get really hot here. We did have shade most of the day.
Another great day for us.
Today was the day. July 15, 2008 It was now or never. Well we got her over to the launch. Lisa was afraid that we couldn't get the mast stepped so we decided to just motor over the Port Lavaca. Then my cell phone rings. It's Charlie Jones on the other end. I told him my plans on just motoring over. Why waste a good sail day. So I header off to meet up with Charlie over at the marina in Port Lavaca. When we got back we stepped the mast and back her out of the slip. No sooner than I got headed out on the IC Charlie raises the jib and then the main. I killed the outboard and we were sailing for the first time in Lisa and mine life.
The next thing I know Charlie has Lisa on the tiller. She did great. Only she wanted to watch the dolphins as they got really close to us. We got to the end of the jetties and headed towards Port Lavaca. Then I took over on the tiller. Charlie is a great instructor. We traded the helm back and forth all the way over. Lisa was at the helm when the wake from a passing ship came up behind us. She did really great until the last wake and had to give up the helm. Fun ride.
We were making about 4.5 mph all the way over. The closer we got to Port Lavaca the rougher it got so Charlie put Lisa back at the helm to get the feel of rougher water.
When we got to where I need to motor and Charlie drop the jib and main then the outboard wouldn't start. OK my nerves kicked in. Finally got it started and we make it into the slip 37. Three guys at the marina grab the dock lines and tied us off. Charlie walked Lisa thru putting the jib away as I put the cover on the main.
Now something really different happened while we were sailing over. I had gone forward and for some reason I opened the anchor locker. We had a stowaway. Now get this our sailboat is named Miss Froggy. Lisa loves frogs and to us frog means Fully Rely On God. I had painted Miss Froggy with green bottom and boot stripe. In the anchor locker was a green frog. In the picture the frog is in the shadow by the drain. So we had a green frog sailing with us. I ask no question just Thank you for a safe sail.
Well we went for a sail yesterday. If it could go wrong it did.
1. The motor died just as I started out the slip. Cleaned the plugs. 2stroke.
2. Light north wind. So we had a down wind run. Slow walk. 2.2knots
3. Hit the ship channel at the same time a large freighter.
4. Got out of the channel to avoid being run down.
4a. Roller coaster ride from ships wake. What a trip. We loved it.
5. Ran aground. Depth sounded not working correctly. Might have to hang off the transom. It showed 41 feet when we ran aground. Cranked the keel up and floated away.
6. Wind to light to track back.
7. Motored back in on fumes. 3 gallons not enough. Installing 6 gallon tank now.
8. VHF radio not working good. I think the antenna is shot. Receives but very garbled.
9. Didn't take anything but some chips and drinks with us. Starved when we got back in.
The great part of the sail.
1. Lisa was like a kid in a candy shop when a pod of dolphins escorted us back to the marina. Love this gal she so much fun and full of life.
All and all it was a great sail. We did have a lot of fun.
We plan on sailing Wednesday Oct. 1st
Our third sail was really an adventure for us.
We only had the main up as it was very windy coming out of the east. Charlie was with us so I felt more confortable.
We had been sailing along for awhile in the ICW when a big gust hit us. The rail went into the water on the port side. Well Ms Froggy rounded right up. Lisa thought it was great. Something I had worried about if she would like heeling or not.
Another great day of learning and fun.
Not getting less blind, getting more discourage. We went out again today with very light air again. We were on a close haul just under the jib until we got past the ship channel. Then we raised the main. Guess what the wind totally died and I mean died. It was supposed to be between 10 to 15 today. Nothing moving not even us. So here we go again motoring back in. Even if we did have some wind the channel is to narrow for our knowledge to try and track back in. I hate the damn motor. I bought a sailboat for the quite.
We did have plenty to eat today. lol When we got back in we gave her a nice bath so you looks a lot cleaner.
Don't know what happened today but I could not get backed out of the slip worth a darn. Ended up backing all the way around and then pointing out the channel. Coming in was like easy street. Could have been the current. It gets a little strong in the marina with a NE wind.
All and all it was a good learning day again. Sailing on a close haul just under the jib was good practice.
Oct 28, 2008 Its been a month since we went sailing. We did go out today.
Got to the marina about mid morning. Temp 41 with a 36 windchill winds out of the north 10/15. We put in a reef and headed out. Nope my little wife was freezing and the bay had a pretty good chop. So we came back in.
Did the usual WalMart for a BD card. Back to the marina. Temp had warmed up and the bay smoothed some. So here we go again. We get out into the channel with a light dead to wind. The wind had shifted out of the east now. So we played like a powerboat and motored for 3 miles. Enough is enough. I didn't buy a sailboat to turn it into a powerboat. So we headed back in. With just the main up and no reef we sailed along at 3 knots and enjoyed to sail back.
All in all it was a nice day. Met a new to him sailboat owner at the marina. He's 80 years young and plans to liveaboard. He had sail a lot up in Canada.
Any way it was great to get out on the water. We'll give it another try Thursday.
Nov 4th
We gave it another shot today. The chop was just a little better, but I felt comfortable about heading on out looking for smoother water.
Lisa and I motored into the wind for about 3 to 4 miles. Up and down. Not very comfortable to say the least. We turned around a couple of time to let the two ships coming in turn over to Port Comfort. Tired of listening to the motor run we raised the main and headed back in. Quite and sailing along at 3.8kts just under the main. Ok by us. Got down to marker 11 and lowered the main. The chop was getting worse and closer together. Turning at marker 15 to head back into the marina it was rock and roll big time. This channel is narrow with a rock shoal to the north. Winds were up to 17 and gusting higher.
Coming in had both of us a little (not a lot) unnerved. Sure was glad when we reached the dock. Couple of the guys at the marina helped Lisa with the dock line. They did ask how it was out there. Not much fun but a great learning experience.
Things kind of went down hill since out last sail. In early December some nice person stole our motor so that put us in not being able to get out of the marina. I did buy a new to us outboard. Weather has been up and down. On good weather day Lisa has to work. We will get back out sailing in the near future I hope.
First sail of the new year.
After checking the weather early this morning Lisa and I decided to go sailing. Weather was to be in the 70's with winds at 8. Wow just what us newbies have been waiting for.
We got to the marina and got Miss Froggy ready to go out. One of our dock mates came by and informed us that wind were to gust to 30 this afternoon. Ok we'll sail for a couple of hours and come back in. But just in case I decided to reef the main, only one reef point on my main.
Got the new to me motor warmed up and we headed out. The marina channel was smooth till we got to Lavaca channel. A little chop, no problem, we've done this before. We motored along to marker 13 and I decided that we should raise the main as the wind had picked up some. We motor/sailed to marker 11 then I turned off the motor and we were sailing right along on a broad reach. Not quit a run. Just under a reef main. The wind keep building and the chop was getting bigger and higher.
After about 45 minutes and cruising along a 5.8kts. I decided that we should go back in.
We turned around lowered the main and motored back in with a strong wind off the starboard bow and strong out flow current.
Glad we got back in when we did as the winds had built to 27 gusts. Little to much for newbies. Steady at 19.
I know there are a lot here that would be having a blast but for us it was another learning day.