I'll put this here instead of Member Activities because I'm not actually looking for anyone to sail with. BUT, I got a call from a friend today who wondered if I wanted to rent a boat and go out with him. I've only been once before, and a few years ago, but I like checking out new things, so I said sure.
We headed on down to the lake and the wind was just ripping... I must admit, I was a little uncertain about how wise it would be to go out, but my buddy said that these are the kind of conditions he loves - very "exciting" was the term he used. Turns out that the rental shop was closed (it seems they agreed with me) so we'll try again another time.
Anyway, for those of you who do sail - do you like it best with really strong winds? What do you prefer: large boats or small (1-4 person) ones? I'm quite intruiged... it wasn't part of my life growing up, so I'm not really sure what it's all about... what do you love about it?
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Sailing?
Jun 3, 2006 @ 21:52
The text you are quoting:
I'll put this here instead of Member Activities because I'm not actually looking for anyone to sail with. BUT, I got a call from a friend today who wondered if I wanted to rent a boat and go out with him. I've only been once before, and a few years ago, but I like checking out new things, so I said sure.
We headed on down to the lake and the wind was just ripping... I must admit, I was a little uncertain about how wise it would be to go out, but my buddy said that these are the kind of conditions he loves - very "exciting" was the term he used. Turns out that the rental shop was closed (it seems they agreed with me) so we'll try again another time.
Anyway, for those of you who do sail - do you like it best with really strong winds? What do you prefer: large boats or small (1-4 person) ones? I'm quite intruiged... it wasn't part of my life growing up, so I'm not really sure what it's all about... what do you love about it?
drummer_boyJun 3, 2006 @ 21:52
We headed on down to the lake and the wind was just ripping... I must admit, I was a little uncertain about how wise it would be to go out, but my buddy said that these are the kind of conditions he loves - very "exciting" was the term he used. Turns out that the rental shop was closed (it seems they agreed with me) so we'll try again another time.
Anyway, for those of you who do sail - do you like it best with really strong winds? What do you prefer: large boats or small (1-4 person) ones? I'm quite intruiged... it wasn't part of my life growing up, so I'm not really sure what it's all about... what do you love about it?
drummer_boyJun 3, 2006 @ 21:52
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Re: Sailing?
Post 1
Jun 7, 2006 @ 13:07
For me, there isn't something as "good" or "bad" wind speeds. There are only approriate or unapproriate conditions for a given crew and boat. Let me explain.
I have been sailing quite regularily on the Lake for the last 10 years on various boats (2-11 meters, icl catamaran). The strenght of wind I love depends on the boat I'm sailing, the people I'm sailing with and the goal of the trip. For instance, I went sailing yesterday evening. From 6 to 8 for a regata with 3 pretty well trained friends. We had between 5 and 11 knots wind, which was great. Sportive, exciting, fast but fun and safe. Then, they left the boat and I went form 8 to 10 for a small touristic trip with a friend of mine. She had never sailed before and the initial goal was to take supper on board. The wind blew gradually stronger (11 - 17 knots). The boat bent more and more. I found myself having to manage alone a powerfull boat with someone always being at the wrong place, unable to provide any help. As I'm used to sail with my 4 years old kid with even stronger wind, we got back safe and she was very happy. I even managed to eat my pizza while skipping. But I got pretty tired and stressed in the process.
For all that, I don't know what were the conditions last saturday. But to give a general idea, I do consider that no one should go sailing on un unknown 6m cabin sailboat with more than 4 Beauforts (11-16 knots - cf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaufort_scale). Average sailors shouldn't take real beginners for a first try with more than 3bfs. And beginners should start practicing alone with no more than 2.
But once more, it all depends on the boat stability, crew number fitness and experience (being windsurfer, motor boat owner, paraglider or even kite fan helps). General weather conditions should also be considered. With water at 4C, the average survival time without a lifejacket is 1h. At 16C with a lifejacket, 6 hours... worth a thought ! One of my best memories ever is saling with 70km/h wind in winter though ;-)
... have fun next time !
I have been sailing quite regularily on the Lake for the last 10 years on various boats (2-11 meters, icl catamaran). The strenght of wind I love depends on the boat I'm sailing, the people I'm sailing with and the goal of the trip. For instance, I went sailing yesterday evening. From 6 to 8 for a regata with 3 pretty well trained friends. We had between 5 and 11 knots wind, which was great. Sportive, exciting, fast but fun and safe. Then, they left the boat and I went form 8 to 10 for a small touristic trip with a friend of mine. She had never sailed before and the initial goal was to take supper on board. The wind blew gradually stronger (11 - 17 knots). The boat bent more and more. I found myself having to manage alone a powerfull boat with someone always being at the wrong place, unable to provide any help. As I'm used to sail with my 4 years old kid with even stronger wind, we got back safe and she was very happy. I even managed to eat my pizza while skipping. But I got pretty tired and stressed in the process.
For all that, I don't know what were the conditions last saturday. But to give a general idea, I do consider that no one should go sailing on un unknown 6m cabin sailboat with more than 4 Beauforts (11-16 knots - cf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaufort_scale). Average sailors shouldn't take real beginners for a first try with more than 3bfs. And beginners should start practicing alone with no more than 2.
But once more, it all depends on the boat stability, crew number fitness and experience (being windsurfer, motor boat owner, paraglider or even kite fan helps). General weather conditions should also be considered. With water at 4C, the average survival time without a lifejacket is 1h. At 16C with a lifejacket, 6 hours... worth a thought ! One of my best memories ever is saling with 70km/h wind in winter though ;-)
... have fun next time !
The text you are quoting:
For me, there isn't something as "good" or "bad" wind speeds. There are only approriate or unapproriate conditions for a given crew and boat. Let me explain.
I have been sailing quite regularily on the Lake for the last 10 years on various boats (2-11 meters, icl catamaran). The strenght of wind I love depends on the boat I'm sailing, the people I'm sailing with and the goal of the trip. For instance, I went sailing yesterday evening. From 6 to 8 for a regata with 3 pretty well trained friends. We had between 5 and 11 knots wind, which was great. Sportive, exciting, fast but fun and safe. Then, they left the boat and I went form 8 to 10 for a small touristic trip with a friend of mine. She had never sailed before and the initial goal was to take supper on board. The wind blew gradually stronger (11 - 17 knots). The boat bent more and more. I found myself having to manage alone a powerfull boat with someone always being at the wrong place, unable to provide any help. As I'm used to sail with my 4 years old kid with even stronger wind, we got back safe and she was very happy. I even managed to eat my pizza while skipping. But I got pretty tired and stressed in the process.
For all that, I don't know what were the conditions last saturday. But to give a general idea, I do consider that no one should go sailing on un unknown 6m cabin sailboat with more than 4 Beauforts (11-16 knots - cf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaufort_scale). Average sailors shouldn't take real beginners for a first try with more than 3bfs. And beginners should start practicing alone with no more than 2.
But once more, it all depends on the boat stability, crew number fitness and experience (being windsurfer, motor boat owner, paraglider or even kite fan helps). General weather conditions should also be considered. With water at 4C, the average survival time without a lifejacket is 1h. At 16C with a lifejacket, 6 hours... worth a thought ! One of my best memories ever is saling with 70km/h wind in winter though ;-)
... have fun next time !
Hobbes, Jun 7, 2006 @ 13:07
I have been sailing quite regularily on the Lake for the last 10 years on various boats (2-11 meters, icl catamaran). The strenght of wind I love depends on the boat I'm sailing, the people I'm sailing with and the goal of the trip. For instance, I went sailing yesterday evening. From 6 to 8 for a regata with 3 pretty well trained friends. We had between 5 and 11 knots wind, which was great. Sportive, exciting, fast but fun and safe. Then, they left the boat and I went form 8 to 10 for a small touristic trip with a friend of mine. She had never sailed before and the initial goal was to take supper on board. The wind blew gradually stronger (11 - 17 knots). The boat bent more and more. I found myself having to manage alone a powerfull boat with someone always being at the wrong place, unable to provide any help. As I'm used to sail with my 4 years old kid with even stronger wind, we got back safe and she was very happy. I even managed to eat my pizza while skipping. But I got pretty tired and stressed in the process.
For all that, I don't know what were the conditions last saturday. But to give a general idea, I do consider that no one should go sailing on un unknown 6m cabin sailboat with more than 4 Beauforts (11-16 knots - cf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaufort_scale). Average sailors shouldn't take real beginners for a first try with more than 3bfs. And beginners should start practicing alone with no more than 2.
But once more, it all depends on the boat stability, crew number fitness and experience (being windsurfer, motor boat owner, paraglider or even kite fan helps). General weather conditions should also be considered. With water at 4C, the average survival time without a lifejacket is 1h. At 16C with a lifejacket, 6 hours... worth a thought ! One of my best memories ever is saling with 70km/h wind in winter though ;-)
... have fun next time !
Hobbes, Jun 7, 2006 @ 13:07
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Re: Sailing?
Post 2
Jun 7, 2006 @ 13:12
For Lac L?man can be found here:
- http://www.meteosuisse.ch/web/fr/services/activites_en_plain_air/sports_nautiques.html
- http://www.vengeron.net/web/index.jsp (free but login needed)
- http://www.meteotest.ch/de/GENFERSEEW (german)
- http://www.windguru.com/int/index.php?lang=eng
- http://www.meteosuisse.ch/web/fr/services/activites_en_plain_air/sports_nautiques.html
- http://www.vengeron.net/web/index.jsp (free but login needed)
- http://www.meteotest.ch/de/GENFERSEEW (german)
- http://www.windguru.com/int/index.php?lang=eng
The text you are quoting:
For Lac L?man can be found here:
- http://www.meteosuisse.ch/web/fr/services/activites_en_plain_air/sports_nautiques.html
- http://www.vengeron.net/web/index.jsp (free but login needed)
- http://www.meteotest.ch/de/GENFERSEEW (german)
- http://www.windguru.com/int/index.php?lang=eng
Hobbes, Jun 7, 2006 @ 13:12
- http://www.meteosuisse.ch/web/fr/services/activites_en_plain_air/sports_nautiques.html
- http://www.vengeron.net/web/index.jsp (free but login needed)
- http://www.meteotest.ch/de/GENFERSEEW (german)
- http://www.windguru.com/int/index.php?lang=eng
Hobbes, Jun 7, 2006 @ 13:12
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