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Virgin Run! #216573
07/28/10 08:58 AM
07/28/10 08:58 AM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15
Baton Rouge, LA
lemonhead13 Offline OP
stranger
lemonhead13  Offline OP
stranger

Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15
Baton Rouge, LA
I have had a G Cat 5.7 for a couple of years and sailed it in some local lakes mostly. However, our family (inlaws and outlaws) are vacationing down in Destin in a couple of weeks and I am bringing my boat. I am excited/apprehensive about my first run in the gulf. Any advice on a first run from the beach? Thanks.

Last edited by lemonhead13; 07/28/10 08:59 AM.

Sincerely,

Lee

"Need a little wind here..."
-- Have You Seen This? --
Re: Virgin Run! [Re: lemonhead13] #216998
08/03/10 12:39 AM
08/03/10 12:39 AM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 364
Andrew Offline
enthusiast
Andrew  Offline
enthusiast

Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 364
Avoid going head-to-the-wind at all costs. The waves will set you back and there will likely be rudder damage or worse. Keep the boat moving, and balance your sails so you'll keep going even with relatively little rudder input. To bear off, the jib should be sheeted more than the main, and to head up, the opposite. I've had the best luck centering the traveller and twisting the main to make thrust down low, while having the crew play the jib sheet for maximum power. Best of luck! It's ok not to go if it's too scary - worst is wind and waves both directly onshore. Best is beam reach in and out.

Enjoy!


Andrew Tatton Nacra 20 "Wiggle Stick" #266 Nacra 18 Square #12
Re: Virgin Run! [Re: lemonhead13] #217013
08/03/10 07:17 AM
08/03/10 07:17 AM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12,310
South Carolina
Jake Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Jake  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12,310
South Carolina
Echoing a little what was said above, balancing the boat with the sails is the important part of getting through the surf - and only on the days where the surf is big and the wind is light is it really tricky.

It's important to steer with your sails since you will need to have some directional control before the rudders are fully engaged. With an onshore breeze, keep the jib sheeted tightly so that it keeps pulling the bows down. Sheet in the main gently and be conscious that it will want to head the boat head to wind when it comes in too far...it will need to stay pretty far out. Put a lot of twist in the main and leave the traveler about half way down. Sheet in the main as much as the boat can handle it....however, if you are making headway safely through the waves, don't sheet in the main anymore...be happy with that.

Oh! And with the enthusiastic sage words Gaulden Reed once told me before a Tybee500 start a couple of years ago. "Don't forget your paddle today, boys".


Jake Kohl
Re: Virgin Run! [Re: Jake] #217246
08/06/10 11:13 AM
08/06/10 11:13 AM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15
Baton Rouge, LA
lemonhead13 Offline OP
stranger
lemonhead13  Offline OP
stranger

Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15
Baton Rouge, LA
Thanks for the advice guys. Hope I don't experience my first pitch-pole, which will lead to my first righting experience as well!

God Bless


Sincerely,

Lee

"Need a little wind here..."
Re: Virgin Run! [Re: lemonhead13] #217247
08/06/10 11:38 AM
08/06/10 11:38 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Timbo Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Timbo  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Originally Posted by lemonhead13
Thanks for the advice guys. Hope I don't experience my first pitch-pole, which will lead to my first righting experience as well!

God Bless



You do have some type of righting line on your boat, right? And while you are blast reaching across the wind, keep your weight at the back so you don't stuff the low bow coming down off a wave,or you will experience your first pitch pole, and righting situation!


Blade F16
#777
Re: Virgin Run! [Re: Timbo] #217252
08/06/10 01:22 PM
08/06/10 01:22 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 75
Clearwater, FL
S
stevefisherkeller Offline
journeyman
stevefisherkeller  Offline
journeyman
S

Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 75
Clearwater, FL
Good idea to have an anchor


Steve Fisherkeller
P19MX

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