Step 1 in Quest to Become a Real Pirate

Last year, Jonah & I discovered a number of sailing clubs and marinas that rent sail boats in our area. This is great! We love sailing (he loves sailing, I loved clinging to the side of the boat in fear - going from 125 ft of solid wood around me with high gunwales, i.e the Niagara, to an 11 ft. fiberglass boat is a bit of a change). So with all of this excitement about our new-found resources, we promptly didn't go sailing at all last year.



This year, I decided that I should learn to sail. There was at one point a possibility that we might get a boat, but I think that's on hold. Also, I'll feel more comfortable going out with J for an afternoon if I a) get comfortable and realize that a small boat is NOT out to get me, and b) know what to do in case, heaven forbid, anything were to happen to Jonah while we were out & I'd have to get us back safely.

So here I go, I've signed up for a 10 hour sailing class at the Belle Haven Sailing Marina and it's 4 nights after work of 2.5 hours of instruction per night. It's cheaper to take a weeknight class, and, upon taking it, I think it's better since it *feels* like I get to go out more since I go out four nights instead of two days.

Anyway, so here's how it's been:

• Day 1: Not so sure I like the instructor, though I like everyone else at the Marina. My fellow student & I can hold all of about 2 words worth of a conversation and then end up staring at each other. The 19 ft. Flying Scot feels a heck of a lot more stable than I expected. This is a good thing. We learn rigging and where the sandbar is, and that the Orange Buoy is named "Bob." We switch turns controlling the tiller and the jib sheets while Bill, the instructor, controls the main sheet. Eventually the one on the tiller is put in control of the main sheet two and I quickly discover that my gut instinct, when the boat starts to heel, or lean too far, is to do exactly the right thing to make it capsize. This does not bode well. Lastly, we're called in early because there are large ominous black clouds moving in quickly & I have a minor internal freak out since I don't trust the boat or myself or anyone else in a storm.
• Day 2: I start filled with great trepidation, but I am entertained by the resident dock dog, Hunter. He's a Chow or part Chow and OWNS the dock. He supervises the comings and goings. We get out to the moored boat & rig it & get ready to sail. I don't take out the boom crutch in time, the tiller gets stuck (because the crutch is in the way) and the boat spins around, promptly getting the mooring line tangled around the centerboard. eek. Laura strikes again. We can't raise the centerboard, the rope is stuck on it, we can't push the rope off since it's wrapped too tightly. Eventually dear fellow student determines which in which direction the line is anchored & I figure that if we rotate the boat ( using it like a canoe), we can unwind it. Goodie! It worked. Off we go. I get more comfortable, I'm not trying to capsize us anymore. We get lots of good quality time in, we make it out onto the river channel, learn right of way rules, & channel markers and have a generally successful day.
• Day 3: Beautiful, sunny day. I find myself wishing that my office window did NOT overlook the waters that I sail on. I want to play hookie. We have a new guy on our boat who is joining us since his class before had to be rescheduled due to weather. we practice tacking & jibing and man overboard drills. Bill goes to throw a life vest in the water as man overboard, but knocks his hat in as well. We practice 4 or 5 man overboards until we can successfully retrieve his hat, which seems to be camouflaged with the water (sentimental value?). It goes well enough, I'm feeling pretty darn comfortable, but I'm irritated by the new guy who'd rather talk than pay attention to the sail trim... he's letting the main sail, the one that provides the power, luff, i.e. not hold wind. It's not like you can't tell. The sail makes noise when it luffs. You hear that noise, you look, you take in the sail. It's easy. I got to see an Osprey fly off with a fish too. Yay!
• Day 4: sitting at my computer desk feeling like I'm rolling with a boat. I think it's lack of sleep. Most likely class will have to be rescheduled because of forecasted scattered thunderstorms. Wish the darn thing wasn't so weather-dependent. Will keep you all updated.
  

Maybe if I pass the class I'll get myself a pirate hat & become the fearful "Bloody Binkle of the Potomac"!

Speaking of weather, I am working frantically on getting my bike (I think mine is a 1971 model, same shape & colors though... different seat) in shape for summer with the hope of participating in Bike to Work day on Friday, just to see how that is. However, I don't think I'll do it if it's too miserable. Boo!