 |
| looking up at my newly restored mast |
As we pass the point on a windward beat, the wind gusts and
the boat heaves to starboard. Our
adrenaline rises as we climb up on the port side and hold on for the ride. I pull the jib and main sheets tighter,
flattening the sail as we skim across the water, banging into the whitecaps as
water splashes over us. It’s wild. When we move close to the far end of the lake
and need to come about, I have release the jib sheet and motion for
my friend who’s at the helm to turn us through the eye of the wind. As he pushes the rudder, the boat turns,
stalls for a second as we climb to the starboard side. I pull the jib sheet and it catches the wind, pulling us around. I set the jib sheet, then out the main, putting us on a beam
reach. Soon, the boat is flying again as
we enjoy the ride.
It’s a great day to be on the water. We debated going out when we arrived on the
lake for it appeared a storm building and the
water was really rough, but since there didn’t seem to be any lightning (and
there was none on the radar), we decided to try it. At first it was rough and we sailed only with
the main. Twice, I about lost my cap, so
I took it off and threw it up under the bow.
The wind continued strong for nearly an hour as we raced back and forth
between buoys. Then the storm blew over
and sun appeared. The wind calmed and I
set the jib, giving us extra sail to enjoy.
I pulled my cap out from under the bow, in order to shad my eyes (and
keep my bald head from burning). We enjoyed a cold drink and talked as the boat
leisurely tacked back and forth across the lake. But the winds returned and the skies again
darkened. With the main and the jib, we
sailed even faster than before, charging back and forth across the water. The western sky began to look threatening and
wanting to get the boat safely moored before any lightning appeared, we headed
in. It was a good afternoon sail as we'd been on the water for a couple of hours and experienced everything for a hard blow to a gentle breeze.
 |
| My friend Jim at the helm |
I know it is wonderful to be able to do that. My husband loved sailing, but he can no longer do it.
ReplyDeleteSailor Man!
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
~ > < } } ( ° > <3
> < } } ( ° >
see now i am sorely jealous...i used to sail every summer...its one of those things that there is nothing quite like....very cool....
ReplyDeleteFreedom personified!
ReplyDeleteI've popped over from Lynn's blog...I've travelled far...from Down Under. I hope you don't mind my doing so uninvited. :)
Beautifully described and modestly understated. I was on water only once under threatening weather --Lac du Flambeau, Wis.,1963. At 1st lightning my brother and I exceeded all sane estimates rowing from mid-lake to shore. Had we sails, we would have been blowing on them for more speed!
ReplyDeleteThey say lakes are far more dangerous than the ocean. Something to do with the oscillation of the waves and a compounding effect from the lake bottom reflecting the force something you only see when approaching a lee shore with a shelf. Lyme Bay for instance. Myself I think if you were taking bets, I'd far prefer to sink on a lake if it was going to happen than the Atlantic. At least, there's a reasonable chance of rescue in the lake.
ReplyDeleteA great depiction of the exhilaration involved. I'm gonna use this as a reference for any sailing parts to any of my stories.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful afternoon - I'm glad you went ahead and did it and that you didn't get rained on. It must be so gratifying to be sailing on a vessel you did so much work on yourself.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great time, in spite of the wind!
ReplyDeleteI love the descriptions in the first paragraph, wish i was able to control a yacht!
ReplyDeleteAs a non-swimmer, I felt like I should be wearing a life preserver or floaty wings when reading this.
ReplyDeleteWow this looks like it was an amazing time!! Making memories on the open water. I want to go sailing someday!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fabulous way to spend the day!
ReplyDeleteI had "Sloop John B" playing in my head as I read this.
ReplyDeleteI've read a ton of personal sailing stories in Sail Magazine (and others) and I've got to tell you. Your writing is better than anything I read in them.
ReplyDeleteReally good! I felt like I was there...