[Rhodes22-list] 1st Sail of the Season

[Michael D. Weisner]

Early season sailing is usually great, as long as you don't get too wet. 
Beware of hypothermia in these conditions.  As we age, the permissible time 
in water diminishes rapidly (less than 15 minutes at 45F for a 50 year old.) 
Please do not take major risks when singlehandling, particularly if 
handicapped, especially when you cannot afford to wind up in the drink. 
Also, be careful not to lose those teeth when the unexpected breeze yanks 
the line from your mouth.  Better to let go and retrieve the flailing line 
later (or spill the beer) than to lose your choppers.

Glad you had a good day sailing - I was stuck working!

Mike
s/v Shanghai'd Summer ('81)
Nissequogue River, NY

From: "Leland" Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 5:43 PM
>
> Whenever my boat is dry-docked, we seem to get unseasonably perfect 
> sailing
> weather.  This year I decided to keep my boat in the water and haven't 
> been
> sailing once since early November.  Today I swore I'd go out come hell or
> high water.
>
> The hellish part was mostly that my motor wouldn't start, but after losing 
> a
> socket and screwdriver bit in the water (I need a big magnet to fish those
> things out), I was able to pull start the motor to life.
>
> Temperatures in and out of the water were about 45 degrees, although even
> with the wind chill I was quite comfortable in ski clothes.  We had some
> gusts but the wind was pretty steady between 10 and 12 knots, and chop was
> manageable at about 2 to 3 foot.
>
> I had forgot how much fun sailing is.  I had the poptop up and too much 
> sail
> out for the conditions, but I never broached and the excessive heeling
> rarely slowed me down below 5 knots.  It was that exciting kind of sailing
> where it's more fun than scary.
>
> As easy as the Rhodes is to sail it's still a two-handed job.  I'm
> recovering from some minor hand surgery and it was not a pretty sight when
> it came time to furl-in the sails.  Now that I know I can use my teeth to
> hold a furling line, I may never need to put my beer down again.
>
> Weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday looks even better.
>
> Life is good.
>
> Lee
> 1986 Rhodes22  At Ease
> Kent Island, MD
>
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