Launched Astrid from our new private slipway (that serves the 20 or so houses in our residence) and enjoyed a great weekend sailing. Saturday still a bit of fresh northwesterly that had been blowing for the past three days (the famous mistral). Probably a force 2 or 3 but with a residual swell. Caught off guard while sailing solo and fiddling at the mast by the gooseneck and ended up thrown overboard into the water. On my involuntary way out of the boat I grabbed hold of a jib sheet to maintain a link to the boat. I managed to get back onboard in no time. Thinking in hindsight about what happened (I was wearing an inflatable life vest) I realised for the first time a down side of the yawl rig: it's inherent sail balance means that in most cases the boat will continue sailing straight in its course despite the only sailor being thrown overboard.... a similarly sized bermudan rigged dayboat would probably round up into the wind pretty soon after the helmsman has left the party.
Anyhow, an interesting experience.
The weekend continued on with a fantastic sail to the nearby St. Pierre island on Sunday where, thanks to the lifting centerboard and the beach cruiser nature of the pathfinder, we could reach one of the secluded small pebble beaches for a family picnic . What a privilege!
Lorenzo, good experience. Clip your vest harnass to the boat, always. Like you said, the boat will go and if passengers don't know how to steer the boat all are in trouble. I sometimes have a yellow floating line with knots hanging on the boat which i could grab a hold of. But best is to be attached to the boat at all times. With a short as possible line!
ReplyDeleteHello Rik, thank you for your comment and your email, I will get back to you soon as soon as I find a minute. I think I will follow your advice and try and be attached to the boat all the times...
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