i just want to say again...

...how amazing it was to get the boat out in some good wind and go speeding across the water.

seriously, this message is for all the people who might be coming on to this forum and are thinking about buying a boat or trying out sailing for the first time:

do it! you won't regret it. it's the most amazing sensation when you really start cruising...

not only that, it's something that, when done expertly, requires real skill and subtlety (i can say this with confidence because i have neither), which is a lot more than i can say for some tool out tearing around on a jetski or a ridiculous powerboat making a lot of noise and stinking up the joint.

If you think the speed is amazing now, wait until you are double-trapped and powered up. If you can find that magic spot where the windward hull is just skimming the water, the ride suddenly smoothes out and you are FLYING!

Of course, there is also the messy double-trap in rough water, where your crew decides to duck out of the way and you suddenly get a nasal enema, or you launch off of a wave and are looking under the boat to see only the leeward rudder in the water...and then bury the bows into the next wave and end up laying on the jib in the water.

Practice righting Practice pitchpoling too - not on purpose of course, but when you are confident that even inf you dump, nothing bad will happen, you will have a lot more fun at speed.

Happy sails to you,

-Tim

_________________
Tim
Unofficial Fleet 72 Communications Officer and Div 4 Webmaster
http://www.hobiefleet72.org
http://www.div4.hobieclass.com/

I agree... and that comes from "the tool on the jet ski"... I jet skiied for 15 years prior to moving to my hobie last year. As a kid, I was so amazed at the speed and fun of jet skis, but in inland lakes there isn't much you can do especially with todays laws that limit how close you can be to other vessels, it really ties an arm behind your back for wave jumping on lakes.

I had more fun on my h16 the ten times I was able to take it out this summer compared to all the years on my jet ski... WAY more fun and also a sense of accomplishment too. Only the WIND and MY SAILS moved me around the lake... and a little paddling at times.

I can't wait for the warm weather to come back so I can take my boat out more. It's free! No winterizing, no oil changes, no spark plugs, and no premium gas at $2-3/gallon! Plus, where I'm located, I rent a space on a cat-dock for $100/season and I leave my cat right next to the water with a padlock.. bring my sails and tiller and I'm ready to go in 15 minutes or less.

Next year I'll learn trapezing along with how to deal with passengers. This year was all about me and learning how this thing works...