One of the big differences between experienced sailors and me seems to be their ability to judge the wind, knowing precisely where it is coming from, being able to see a puff coming by watching the water, knowing when to expect buildings to cast a wind shadow on the water...

What is the best way to develop my sense for the wind? How long does it take?

Jonathan

polarized sunglasses.
seriously!

its called time on the boat...more time more experience...you will develop a sence for the wind....watch for the ripples on the water for the puffs....here in the Virgin Islands its not unusal to have 10-20 15-20kt winds and 3-5ft seas...you have to get comfortable in wind and seas like that...and thats by getting on the water..

I agree with time on the boat, but would add windsurfing: If you miss anything, you're swimming! Nothing like a little negative reinforcement.

So...how much time on the water do I need to become fairly expert? I can definitely tell that I am improving - yesterday we were out on a small lake with shifty light winds that used to completely confuse me, and I was very surprised by the extent of the wind shifts, but at least generally knew where it was coming from....

Jonathan

I've only been sailing for 3 years but in that time I have spent well over 100hrs on the water.....be sure you have a wind vane on your boat ....in shifty winds keep an eye on it....

if you have an old cassette tape that you don't listen to anymore, cut about 8" sections and tie them to your shrouds.

Poor-man's windvane.

I've been sailing for almost three years now and I know when to prepare for a puff and generally have a good idea about how strong it is. I thought I was getting pretty good with it. However, a couple of months ago, I had a friend crewing with me that has been sailing, mostly recreationally, since he was 5 and not only could he see the puff but he could accurately estimate the amount of shift it was brining. It sure helps to have that kind of skill on the boat.

If you are sailing on lakes and smaller bodies of water those are the toghest places to learn. You are only really getting patches of the true wind here and there. Keep your arms hairy and your eyes peeled so you will feel and see the wind. Rick and Mary's book is a gresat help if you don't already have it.

Yes - I noticed that on Thursday on Lake Crabtree, which is 510 acres. We headed toward the evening on a broad reach and quickly lost power ... then realized the wind had shifted and we were on a close haul. The shift happened in about 30 seconds.



I don't know how to grow any more hair than nature gave me. I wasn't able to find an eye peeler in the online store here.



I do have it - I got lost in it when I first tried to read it, but I'm finding it is beginning to make more sense as I get some experience sailing. I'll look at the section you are referring to.

Thanks!

Jonathan

Jonathan,
You can't really learn much about the wind until you can forget about your boat. When you can do all the mechanical things on your boat instinctively and without looking at blocks and lines -- when you basically can sail your boat blindfolded -- then you will be free to look around at the water and watch what is happening with the wind. You will notice the patches of darker water coming toward you and the angle at which they are coming and how it fans out. You will notice the directions of the little riffles on that patch of water that are coming from a different direction than the water around it. You will be able to pay attention to cloud formations and to land influences.

When you get your head out of the boat, you have the rest of your life to explore the world of wind shifts -- and even the best of sailors have never completely mastered it.

Sailing Blindfolded!

You've got to stop giving me these bad ideas Mary

Hey, Tad, that's one of Rick's favorite drills at his seminars.

Next time you have on in Key Largo, I'm gonna make the trip

I assume you don't have both the skipper and the crew blindfolded at the same time...

Jonathan

There's got to be a trick to this. I've now drowned three seeing eye dogs and I still can't sail straight.

Jonathan

Okay, just one question: When you release or pull in your mainsheet or traveler, do you look back at your mainsheet/traveler system while you are adjusting it?

Only when I'm cleating it, to make sure its properly set in the cam.

Maugan, why would you cleat it? You're young.

Sorry, I just don't believe in ever cleating a mainsheet unless you have to because you don't have enough strength to hold it.

I must be a weakling then... because even if I do cleat it, I come home with so many blisters and dead skin peeling that it looks like I didn't wear gloves to begin with.