11/18/2009, Key Biscayne, Florida (United States)
Total Distance: 18 Miles Under Sail: 16
Average Speed: 4 kts
Conditions: Clear, 75-80 F, Wind Northeast at 10-15 kts, Seas 1-2 ft
School Day 3
Two new students join us for today's sail; Garry's daughter Jocelyn and Gabriela. I believe this is the second time Rhapsody had a full crew on the boat. She was in her glory. I gave her a full washing down and cleaning before the crew arrived. I wanted her to show her best face.
We launched out the marina at 1pm after discussing today's lesson. The plate was full. I started out the crew with my famous power drills. For Jocelyn this was her first time at the helm of a sailboat. A real newbie. She did a great job. Gabriela is the wife of Moses. She has a ton of cruising sea miles but Moses doesn't let her do a lot of tasks on the boat. So giving her the confidence of helm control and running the sails was important to her. Since each student was at a different level of sailing skills it was a challenge for me to make sure each student was getting the necessary training.
After the power drills, we raised sails out into the bay. We went over sail trim until each student could trim the sails in all points of sail. For each lesson, each student rotated through the various positions; helm, jib sheet winches and main sheet. I have to say they all did a great job. Once again we practiced heave-to for a snack break. On the way back home, as a final exam, I got into my cockpit chair to practice "The art of doing nothing"!. I said take me home! Each student rotated thru the positions on the one hour sail home. Before letting them loose, I set up the boat so they would have to tack back and forth to get to the dock. They worked as team to solve the problems that confronted them. Teacher had a smile on her face the whole time.
Docking. In case you all forgot, I back down the fairway to get into my slip about 1/2 down. Moses boat is near the end of the fairway. Well, Gill was on Moses boat in the cockpit as I went by them. Both Gill and Moses, started yelling "Beep Beep Beep!" to emulate the sound a truck makes when backing up. I laugh so hard, I started to pee in... well you get the picture. I think I know what Gill is going to get me for Xmas. Uggg.
To celebrate the day. "Can we say Sundowers"! In addition to crew, Gill and Moses joined us. My rum collection needs replenishing. :>)
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11/17/2009, Key Biscayne, Florida (United States)
Total Distance: 38 Miles Under Sail: 34
Average Speed: 5.07 kts
Conditions: Clear, 75-80 F, Wind Northwest at 5-10 kts, Seas 1-2 ft
Hung over - After last nights party, I wasn't my normal chipper self. Too much rum and partying. I want to take Gary out in the ocean and play with the asymmetrical sail as well. After a hardy breakfast, we slipped the docklines to head out through Governors Cut. With the winds out the north, it would make a good downwind sail back to Key Biscayne Bay at Florida Cap lighthouse. Motor sailed all the way out to the ocean for the winds were very light on the nose. We raised the asymmetrical sail in about 4-6 knots of wind. It took me longer than normal to set it. The sail for some reasons twists when lowering the ATN sock and I cannot figure out how it does this. But once set we ghosted along out in the edge of the Gulf Stream. Once out there we found wind, change course to a beam reach. Now with the asymmetrical sail up on a beam reach is go fast crazy. With only 7 knots of true wind Rhapsody in Blue will do about 7 knots. It takes careful helm control for the boat is right on the leading edge of out of control if the winds shift and gets stronger. The wind and sea gods were kind today, probably taking pity on my well being. It was an exhilarating sail to say the least down to Florida Cape Lighthouse. The only bad part was I lost my fishing pole to Neptune. The pole holder ripped off the stern rail sending the pole into the deep. A tragic lose for sure.
The winds were great the rest of the trip back up in Key Biscayne bay. Gary got a work out on all points of sail back to the dock. Docking was a snap especially with crew on the boat. No sun downers tonight though. We meet up with Garry's daughter for dinner. She was on a working vacation and will join us for tomorrows sail.
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11/16/2009, Key Biscayne, Florida (United States)
Total Distance: 15 Miles Under Sail: 12
Average Speed: 3 kts
Conditions: Clear, 75-80 F, Wind Northwest at 5-10 kts, Seas 1-2 ft
Teacher gets an Apple -
Gary and his daughter came down from Boston to escape the cold to learn how to sail better. Gary is a friend of my girlfriend Terri. When Gary showed up on the boat, he brought not just one apple but a bag full of apples for the teacher. Umm I wonder if he was trying to tell me something here!
We went over all the safety stuff on my boat, how I undock and dock my boat, and what the lessons where going to be that day. And what a day it was. Perfect wx. The lesson started with power drills on motoring: spinning, backing a boat, and effects of wind/current. Once under Key Biscayne bridge, I raised sails to teach proper sail trim. Gary was a great student. He learned quickly which made my job easier. At lunch time we practice Heave-To to settle the boat. I believe this in a lost art in the sailing community. We did about 3 of them before settling down to a nice lunch. Afterward, we just sailed around the bay, practicing sail trim on all points of sail plus helm techniques.
After docking the boat, the sun was setting. So as you all know me by now, can we all say ‽Sundowners!" Gill (dockmate) and his brother join in the festivities. As host, I scrounge up appetizers for everyone as well as played bartender. Lets just say I am glad I bought a few bottles of rum on my last trip. For dinner, Gill's brother made fish cievecie and I made some pan fried Snapper, rice, and vegetables. Good times where had by all.
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