This last Saturday...we went sailing...for just a quick spin. Then without warning, all of the sudden, out of nowhere, from over the mountain, came a number of thunder heads, lightning and very heavy wind, that changed directions abruptly, often and dramatically.

We couldn't get back to shore before we were into this storm.

We didn't want to shred the sails or beat up the boat or get struck by lightning.... so we uncleated all the sheets and pulled the boat over onto its side and then placed our weight so the boat turned turtle (completely upside down.). That put the sails under water, protected them from the wind..and it put the mast so it wouldn't attract lightning, as readily.

When the boat is turtled, it is a very stable life raft, and the sails are a dandy sea anchor... Everything on the tramp was properly secured and had lanyards so we didn't have to ready anything or worry about losing it.

After about 20 minutes, of sitting on the trampoline of the turtled boat, the storm passed.

To un-turtle the boat, we should have been able to simply sit on one hull's keel and the boat should have slowly return to its side, with the sail parallel to the water's surface. From there the boat is usually simply righted with a righting line.

Well, he didn't properly seal his mast so it had lots of water in it. That meant we couldn't get the thing righted and on it's feet.

After a couple of hours...it really looked like we'd spent the night on the water, floating on the capsized boat.

We both had exposer suits so, though not great, we could have been somewhat OK for the night, on a lake in the mountains of Utah.

As it turned out, just before night fall, a person on shore happened to spot us through a telescope. They called a friend with a boat on the far side of the lake and talked them into going out to look for us.

They finally found us helped get the boat back on its feet and towed us back to our beach.

While you're doing your own penance, I have vowed not to ever again put the bad mouth on Wakeboarders or power boats....

You know, I usually sail with my own PFD and My sailing PFD is home to a small plastic sheath and scuba diver's knife...for cutting away sheets or whatever I may become entangled in during rough weather or a rough capsize. (The knife is equipped with a wrist strap, so I don't accidentally lose it when in the water). The PFD also has a couple of chem lights, a small flashlight, whistle, marine band waterproof hand-held marine radio, and a waterproof handheld G.P.S. I also have a small inflatable orange water weeny. I started carrying that when scuba diving...when I saw how hard it is for people on a boat to spot a bobbing head in the water. I also often carry my cell phone in a waterproof case, also attached to my PFD.

With a bit of sewing and ingenuity, this equipment is attached so it is very secure and doesn't flop around... and out of my way....yet very easy to get to.

Besides looking cool.... I have found through...well...past learning experiences... important things need to be readily available and with you, at hand.... especially when night sailing.... and I find it is easier to have it, than wish I did... and it helps keep simply problems from getting more complicated....

There have been a few times when I thought my day on the water would turn out one way....and it turned out different.

This was one of those times and that stuff would have been swell.... but I didn't have it with me this time...

Bummer to have to re-learn something, again and again...

There's no such thing as a quick spin and equipment doesn't do much good in the car's trunk....