The wind had increased until we were over-pressed. Pinching and spilling wind we were getting along, but not very comfortably, so we anchored to double reef the main and mizzen. With the boat readied we found that the hook had fouled. We tried to sail it out but the sails flogged, backed and hindered. We stowed them and managed to row the anchor out. Then we contemplated the swell that had grown while we had been sailing. Could we still enjoy a double-reefed thrash knowing that we would have to negotiate the waves on the way back to the beach? Or would we be worrying about landing the whole time, the possibilities of broaching, boat capsizing, masts fouling the bottom and levering the decks off, unwelcome dunkings and lost of gear. Sometimes it’s best just to address your worries, be they well founded or not, even though the sailing is tempting. I unstepped the masts and lashed everything in preparation for a possible capsize. And then rowed in with absolutely no problem what so ever. We looked at the sea from the beach, the wind had dropped and we could barely believe that the tranquil blue mass could have caused so much apprehension. We had had an adventure, but on the beach it was simply Sunday, and nearly lunchtime.
5 comments:
Very wise, I would judge. The water will be cold in January. How true that anxiety can spoil the fun!
Hello Ben,
Better Safe than Sorry, and most important of all; your crew will like to go out with you again. Once I made the misstake to bring my wife back with me from an offshore island in after storm sea conditions that I judged safe and tha I and the boat could handle. We had no serious troubles but she was so scared of having high waves all arround us so she has refused to go out with me again. I have regretted my desicion ever since.
Ben, you have a way of telling us about what happens to you that makes me think you should write books.
Best regards
Hakan
Fear is in your mind. (In)visible.
It always looks calmer, brighter, nicer out there when viewed from the shore. We launch at a sheltered spot and we are always discovering it is a lot rougher than we thought..
Excellent seamanship illustrated by your example in adopting Plan B. How much gear has been lost or damaged due to the urge o press on with Plan A?
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