I like hobbies where I get to interface with nature like with
the power of the wind; yesterday I had my first sailing lesson. Winona Parks and Recreation own a used
sailboat for giving lessons on Lake Winona and learning to sail is something I
have wanted to try. I have a small radio
control sailboat which gave me some knowledge of the sailing terminology and
the basics of operation. Zack McKinney
gave me some on shore training and then we paddled out to where the sailboat is
moored. There is a fair amount of work
in preparing the sailboat to sail but not too much.
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| Paddle Boat Used to Get to Sailboat |
With main and jib sails attached we were sailing, the wind
did not always cooperate. It was in a
direction also that was somewhat blocked by the bluff. There were those times also when we would
catch the wind pretty well and the boat would pick-up speed in a hurry. As this was my first time out I really didn’t
want to experience real strong wind.
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| Main Sail |
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| Jib Sail |
There is so much more to sailing than piloting simple
powered or paddled boats. We had to zig
zag into the wind being careful not to get too straight into the wing or the
sailboat would be in the dreaded “put in irons” condition where the sailboat
will not move from the wind. Another condition is where the sails begin to “luffing”
that is when the sails rapidly flap in protest of not being in proper
trim. Zack turned the controls over to
me about half way into the voyage out.
So much for the skipper to work with, controlling the sail ropes, steering
the rudder, and not letting the boom hit you in the head.
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| Duck Under Boom as Sail Swings |
There were also other boaters on the lake in fishing boats,
kayaks, and canoes. So you must avoid the obstacles but pilot the boat to best
work with the wind. The downwind run
went pretty smooth and I could use a relatively straight course to get back to
the dock. So much fun, I sure want to
do this again.
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