Saturday afternoon I went out for a training session on my Nacra 6.0 with a new crew to get a little time on the boat together before we race for the first time. My crew comes with much experience on the 6.0, so I was looking forward to a great sail. We left the beach and headed up wind in a good 15 knt wind. Double trapped and just kind of shooting the breeze, we flew a hull across the bay blissfully unaware of what the Gods had in store for us. As we neared the far shore and decided to do some downwind work, the wind increased to a solid 20 with some higher gusts. Chop in the bay was in the one to two foot range. As the boat accelerated off the wind, crew moved out onto the wire, and I to the far back of the tramp. All I can say at this point is HOLY MOTHER OF INDONESIAN TSUNAMIS!!! as there are solid walls of water crashing across the tramp. Playing the part of Captain Kirk, I'm calling for more power and an increase in speed to warp nine. My crew, playing Scottie is advising me against this as she does not think we can take much more. Well, as much as it pains me to say this......she was right, and I was WRONG!!! The lee bow stuck into the back side of a wave and the boat came to a stop faster than a couple of horny teenagers who just got caught in the back seat by the cops!! Crew completed a triple toe loop around the forestay. I say she should have gotten the gold, but the Canadian judge marked her down for not sticking the landind. Here I am left dangling upside down from the tramp with one leg still under the hiking stap wondering if I have a clean pair of shorts in the truck. A few minutes later (after reviewing the Rick White righting method in my head) the boat was back upright and we made the decision to head back to the beach and have a beer.
Important lessons learned:
1. Listen to your crew. Sometimes they are right.
2. When done correctly a 6.0 is easy to right (combined weight 320 lbs). Thanks Rick!!!
3. Always bring a clean pair of shorts, you never know when you may need them. Thanks Mom!!
4. Rudders only work when they are in the water!
