Applying Weather Learning

In my last blog entry I thanked sailing comrade Jennifer for introducting me to the idea that forecasters have an unstated 15% margin outside their stated wind speed predictions. For example, today's forecast called for 20 knots. Even my simple mind could estimate that the winds could be as high as 25 knots and as low as 15. Even if the forecast called for 25 knots we could still expect it as high as 30. I then walked to the beach to get a firsthand surf check.

Although many of the sailing lassies in our area declined to sail under grey skies, the SPRAY crew used it as an opportunity to hone our foul weather sailing skills. Afterall the F28 is quite happy cruising in 20 knot winds; with the optional 2 reef points on the main, roller furler jib and roller furler screacher, we knew we had several options for safe sailing. The spinnaker was relegated to its storage bin in the port ama. As sun's shadow moved across the deck, the wind lightened up with the rising temperature. By 1 pm we had a pleasant 75 degrees with a 10 knot breeze.

As a result of using personal judgement based on credible weather forecasters and firsthand observation we had a successful day. We even learned how to change the gas line from the tank to the motor, held a knot tying contest, and celebrated the holidays with a special lunch of 18 cent soup!

Speaking of the holidays make sure you let let me know if you want to go sailing for one or more days, you know I'll be on the boat at least 50% of the time. As much as I enjoy solo sailing, I equally enjoy having company. So come on board for a scenic cruise.

Love ya' all whether you sail or not!

One step at a time.

One small article for me and my colleague Rachel, one big step toward future publications.......Southwinds printed our Ladies Night at West Marine article. This spurred an all day dawn to dusk seminar that Rachel and I are planning for the spring. The theme will be to combine the mind/body experience to reduce stress, increase energy, and enhance learning. Stay tuned, it's a busy week-end transitioning from 48 hours of peaceful sailing and sitting around the campfire, to sunfish competition. Gotta go.,,,,,,,,,life's too good to sit in on such a beautiful 78 degree sunny day with winds SSW at 10-15 (which I learned means that the forecasters believe there is a 70% chance the wind will be within the 10-15 range, a 15% chance the wind will be stronger than 15 and a 15% chance the wind will be less than 10. I picked up that tidbit at the bar from sailing friend, Jennifer. Thanks Jenn, Hope to see you all on the water today......

Reality Check

Here it is another year gone by and I'm still not making definite plans toward my solo circumnavigation. Sure, I do a lot of talking, bought and sailed my practice boat, joined a ladies racing team, sail just about every Saturday and Sunday, bitch about my finances, and go to work each day. But when I learned that my sailing idol Sherry Beckett is back in town for her annual fly home from where-ever on the globe she anchored her world cruiser, I cried. Literally, I crawled up on the couch, dragged my flannel West Marine cover up over my head and sobbed for hours.

Then, like a bolt of lightning struck my mast, I shuddered as I fell to my feet. Time to sell the tri. As much as I have enjoyed this past year, especially cruising into otherwise unknown harbors in Abaco, it is time to move forward with my plans. If interested you can see the ad posted on usedboats.com (28 ft. Corsair tri). I'll add more pix to the ad and each month promise to increase the advertising.

I'm supposed to be studying for my ham radio license, and need to call the seven seas cruising association about the GAM to be held in a few weeks in Eau Gallie. In the meantime, I'm happy with the progress the Fast Lane Ladies have been making. After our 5th race we still rank last place. But considering the lack of previous skill the crew has had, and the fact that are chief foredeck gal was absent, we're still making progress. At least I held a more steady course, used good judgement when choosing the smallest sail in favor of being in control, and enjoyed our new coach.

I also am putting the final editing on my article about the pram which was finally built and tomorrow will donate a bicycle to a needy family. Slow progress but steadily making way to that wonderful day when I say, 'say la vie' I'm on my way......................................................

In case the tri is still in my possession this summer, let me know if you want to join me for some cruising up to New York Harbor. At the last minute last year, if you recall, my plans changed and off to Abaco I went. No regrets, but the thought of sailing around Sandy Hook and anchoring at the Sandy Hook Beach Catamaran Club is too intriguing to by-pass. Plus, sailing up and down the east coast will provide the more intense type of practice needed to become a safe off shore sailor.

Stay tuned, my motivation is back,,,,

Always something to learn

After 28 years of racing I am finally fine tuning what I need to do to get to the front of the pack. While some people seem to learn this instinctively, it has been a long hard battle for me. Besides getting used to a particular boat, what I notice is that regardless of whether I'm racing a Lindenberg 28, a Hobie 16, sunfish or windsurfer (yea, remember those), finding the right place upwind has continued to befuddle me. I can do fairly well on the downwind leg. After all you usually can sail directly to the mark, jibe when the wind shifts to leeward and keep the boat under the headsail.

But upwind, what looks like the shortest hitch to the mark sometimes takes the longest. I'm always amused by those who take onto starboard as soon as they round the leeward mark and then proceed up the middle of the course to beat me at the windward mark. One of my coaches gave me a hint that I tried this past week-end. He said, once you pick a side of the course, stay on that side, never cross over the imaginary line drawn from the windward mark to the leeward one. I just drew it out on paper and plan to use this tactic the next time I race on a monohull. I think on a catamaran you might move the imaginary line a little more to the right of the leeward mark because the tacking angles and time to tack need to be considered. Trimarans however, need to be treated more individually. The F28, for example, has about the same angle as a Lindenberg 28 and tacks about as fast. The Dragonfly 25 seemed to having a wider tacking angle.

As I babble on, I realize my mind isn't as focused as I would like it to be. Then, again, I have raced and or practiced sailing every Sat. and Sun. with an occasional mid week sail since the first of August.The bottom line, is for future races I shall not look back, I shall steer a steady course, quit wiggling around in super light wind and just relax....and maybe this Satuday, stay home and tidy up my office, ha, ha, ha,

Laughter, the best mid-week break

O.K. ladies here’s an opportunity to have a mid-week retreat full of laughter. Wheter you spectate or actively participate the annual big folks in little boats regatta is about to unfold. This Wed. at about 5:30 pm at MYC stroll out to the end of the t-dock for some good ol’ fashion laughter. With luck I’ll christen my 5.5 year pram building project. With even more luck she’ll float faster than those high-faluttin’ fiberglass hulls of modern day technological advances. Regardless, come have a mid-week break, See you there.

Yea, another project done,,,,,,,,,,,,, next sell Rochelle's recumbent, clean my office, write about Abaco, get the slide show done, and prepare for a winter sailing adventure

Getting things done

Whew, finally there was time devoted to SPRAY. As you may recall SPRAY is my 28 ft. trimaran who provided a great home for last summer's 6 week jaunt to, around and from Abaco. When I returned from this great adventure I was afforded a crew for the all women's racing series. Before I knew it, two months had gone by during which time SPRAY was neglected.

Thankfully, with the help of racing crew, Sherry Mac, SPRAY is once again a shining example of a simple to sail, beautiful to look at, and comfortable boat to sail locally and for distant cruises. Even moreso is that I was able to submit an article to Southwinds Magazine. I received notice today that the article will be published. YIPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEE. Thanks to tennis friend and loyal Sunday morning bridge walking partner and my seminar leading colleague, who also crews on my racing team, we have an article that will appear in a respectable sailing mag.

In addition to life being good, I had a funny communication from a sailing website I tried to sign up for. At 1design.com there was a link for Adventure Lifestyle or something like that. Anyway I tried to register for 1design.com which is hosts a multihull forum. Then, I got an e-mail asking for my parent(s) to sign a form and fax or snail mail it back. Upon receipt they would approve my registration. Duh? I impulsively wrote back, "my folks are in heaven and I am sixty years old.' Unfortunately, I think it is one of those messages that you can't reply to it.

Now, that I am way off the subject the next thing to be done is to complete the PRAM. With luck and perseverance she'll have her christening one week from Wednesday. I am hoping to sell it for about a thousand bucks. All money will be donated to Big Brothers/Big Sisters or the charity of the buyer's choice.

Anyway it is after 10 pm. Casey Anthony is to be arrested on charges of murder tomorrow. I'm sleepy. Good night!

Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh no

Actually, it was Ladies night at West Marine, a chalk talk at Melbourne Yacht Club, big boat racing on Saturday, sunfish sailing on Sunday, anchor tackling on Monday, school reports on Tuesday, bug bites on Wednesday, sailing sunfish again on Thursday, clothes to wash, dry and hang on Friday. Now, it is a new week with floors to sweep, and cars to clean, photos to organize (still), and articles to write. Then, there was my sister's birthday which got forgot, my husband's lunch which I made, not, a walk with a friend, and dishes to wash. I'm tired just thinkin' about all I am not missin.'

Size 2 / Size 4 does it really matter?

Funny, isn't it how we play little games with ourselves. Take for example my pride in fitting into a pair of size 2 jeans. Truth is, when I finally pried myself back out of them I checked the little size tag. Pooey, the number is a 4, twice the equivalent of the number 2. Obviously, these particular jeans are the slim cut because they are a lot slimmer than my other size 4 full cut and my size 4 stretch jeans. What does size mean anyway?

So it goes with other things we make a big issue about when in the world of importance they are low on the list of priorities. Being heavily involved with a local women's sailboat racing series has brought some trivialities to the forefront. Several women have told me they are discouraged by the yelling of their captain. "He's demeaning. His sarcasm makes me feel stupid." I know not everyone has done half the research I have on how people learn, but I'm always amazed that people allow their instructors attitude to make them feel insecure.

Eleanor Roosevelt is quoted as saying, "No one can make you feel insecure without your permission." I say if the captain uses a tone of voice I don't like, I tell him. Dr. Phil is right when he says we teach people how to treat us. So ladies, the next time your captain bellows something like, "Wake up, HELLLLOOOOO, what are you doing?" Just smile and say, "I'm wondering if you really believe your attitude is helping us learn." Or, give him/her back the same tone. "Oh, so you graduated from the school of sarcasm and majored in how to coach a team to last place."

More importantly, learn what you can. Forget the words and ask yourself, what is my coach wanting me to do. Maybe, just maybe, if I get it right, he/she will shut up. :-) :-) :-)

See you on the water, or at the Melbourne West Marine on S. Sarno Road, Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 6:30 pm.

Sass the sailor,
Marlene

Whine, wine, cheese

Time to stop whining, maybe time to sip some wine, smile and say cheese. Or, maybe I just need to go for a sail. Here's the deal.

Every photographer knows that saying the word cheese forces a smile. As a photographer, then I need to smile because my troubles are as trivial as learning to use photoshop. And, everyone knows wine can soothe the soul. Though I'm not going to indulge, the thought of doing so does have a calming effect. Lastly, everyone knows whining begets a loss a of listeners, except perhaps other whiners. As I sit on the couch listening to the disparaging 11 o'clock news, I am thinking I need to go for a sail. Until then, here's a snapshot of this, my tenth day of September, 2008:

It all started when I took my cell phone swimming during my 6 am ritual at the local outdoor pool. Upon my arrival at work I was blessed with being able to use my counseling skills, which is typically overshadowed by bureacratic bull___ that goes with being an elementary counselor. Unfortunately, I had to squelch my own feelings directly related to the counseling sessions because they resulted from the actions of a personal friend and hero who is falling from grace.

Rather than sip some wine, I convinced myself to destress after work aboard SPRAY, my 28 ft. tri. Although it was a restless hour sipping one of those instant heatable mocha lattes, I eventually mosied home to keep my promise to have a healthy dinner. After pouring a few tablespoons of olive oil into my old reliable frying pan, I turned on the burner then ran into my office to check my e-mails. You guessed it, I nearly set the house on fire. Thankfully, it was during my deep breath that I habitually take while waiting for microsoft outlook to open, when I smelled the smoke. YIKES, I nearly set my house on fire. So much for the sauteed pepper and onions.

Being the busy girl that I am I left my husband to air out the house. I fear that if I had stayed home I may have put the burned frying pan somewhere I might regret. No one wants to hear the lecture about being careless when it's obvious they could have caused a whopper of a mess. After gaining control of my kitchen, and opening all the doors and windows, I flitted off to that all important East Coast Sailing Association's monthly meeting.

My day didn't end there. When I returned home I couldn't find a thing to wear to work for tomorrow's volunteer orientation that I am expected to host. I want to look nice. As I stared at my brand new silver toned, man tailored, long sleeve, embroidered blouse my brain flashed an instant message. I was reminded that I am a Willie Nelson blue jeans type of a person; have been since I was 12 or 13. Here I am at 60 years of age and I am still fighting the same dress code I fought in junior high school. The workforce's unwritten law states that it's o.k. to be obese, it's o.k. to show cleavage, thighs, and underwear lines. I just don't understand the prejudice against blue jeans. You know what? Like the song says, "I'm not going to let it bother me tonight." I don't care if tomorrow is Thursday, and an UNdesignated day to wear blue jeans.

My former boss, who has been a colleague and friend for 20 years, is in jail. One of my best friends is suffering the untimely death of her son. My husband still smokes though cancer runs rampant in his family. A child at my school is so scared to leave his mother he has run more than a mile away from the school to be near her. Channel 6 is having a field day outside my office. But as God is my witness, after starting my healthy eating habits while sailng the Bahamas this past summer, I have finally squeezed into my size 2 button front Levis. Your dern right, I'm wearing jeans on a Thursday. :-)

Life's too short, may yours be smooth sailing, , ,

Photoshop sucks

I surrender. After two months of being challenged by photoshop elements 6 I beg ya'll to help me find a user friendly software program to show off my slides. It seems like I should be able to compose a slide show with appropriate music to lively it up. I swear I did this once using power point. Indeed, I have my abaco photos in power point but it took forever and I'm still not satisfied with adding the audio.


Then, I just wanted to post a bunch of pictures I took on Labor Day. Some of the pix are pretty cool. The Fast Lane Ladies definitely demonostrated the fun side of sailing. From rolling about on the trampoline to diving off the boom and smothering Danny with affection, it was indeed a fun day worthy of being shared with all.


So, who out there in sailing land can help me get this right? It seems ridiculous that I'll sail around the world but not be able to post my photos to the web. Some of them are really cute, too. Anxiously, waiting for assistance,



Thanks,

Marlene

Win a pair of sailing gloves. . .

Now that tropical storm Faye has moved north of Central Florida we are ready to get back to our normal routine. While many of you spent this past week assessing and cleaning up flood damage, I took the time to get rid of the clutter in my life. It is amazing how much junk collects over the years and how much 'stuff' can be crammed into a closet. Albeit most of the closets are now empty, with a vow to never pile one item on top of another, or one box in front of another, there are still odds and ends on my bookshelf, my kitchen counter, and end tables scattered about the house. Enough decluttering, it is time to get back into shape mentally and physically.

Having lost 15 pounds I am just beginning to feel spry again. Who knows maybe it will even give me the edge I need for sunfish competition. Speaking of competition, what have ya'll been doing to improve your sailing? Everyone on the Fast Lane Team joined as a volunteer committed to learning how to race. Learning to race is an ever evolving process. As soon as you figure out how to hook up the spinnaker pole, you are asked to anticipate when you will need it. An efficient foredeck crew doesn't wait for the skipper to bellow to the bowman to 'hoist the pole,' rather
the foredeck crew learns to watch the wind and be aware of when the boat will be turning to a downwind tract. How do you that?

Watch the windvane. . . On the upwind leg the foredeck spends their time (a) skirting the jib as part of the tacking maneavers, (b) watches for puffs (c) takes bearings on other boats and the marks and (d) looks up at the wind vane. On the upwind leg the windvane points nearly parallell to the boat; the pointed end toward the bow and the wider end toward the stern. As the boat is turned off the wind (onto a reach) the wind vane lies perpendicular to the boat. In other words the pointed end points toward the port or starboard side of the boat with the wider end of the windvane pointing toward the opposite port or starboard side. Then, when the boat is headed downwind, the pointed end of the windvane points aft (or toward the stern, with the wider end of the windwave toward the bow.

Here's a contest: The first gal to draw a picture of the three angles of the windvane - upwind, reaching and downwind will win a brand new pair of sailing gloves. Send your pix via e-mail or
snail mail, or present to your boat captain.

Quit reading and start drawing. . . .

Sailing Success

After a great day of racing, albeit we were 4th out of 4th, we are reminded of what we need to improve on:

(a) I will trust the foredeck folks to figure out their problems
(b) I will always steer toward the mark even while rigging problems are being worked out,
(c) We will keep Tom on the stern centerline
(d) follow Bowman's advice (Michael Phelps' swim coach):



Successful people do what unsuccessful people don't want to do!



So, ladies, espcially our Fast Lane crew, as much as you resist, I beg you to start sailing small boats; that will get us to the finish line faster than any other practice we do. Until you understand how the helmsman effects everything else on the boat, you will always be reacting rather than anticipating. MYC has plenty of boats we can use. Let me know when you want to go. I'm there every Thursday from 4 pm - 8 pm and every other Sunday. You didn't learn to drive a car by sitting shotgun. Starting at our next outing on Fast Lane whomever takes the initiative to sail in a small boat will get the opportunity to drive Fast Lane after the races. So there's your incentive. :-) :-) :-)


For tonight, relish in your accomplishments. If you have any energy left, please send me one term, concept or skill you improved on today or need clarified. In addition to Tom's great coaching, Jim Henry has begun giving us great advise. He's a no nonsense guy who like Tom loves coaching.


Thank you Sherry R., Shelly, Rachel, Sue, Susan, Meg and Maryann!

Tips for Sailing Fast

While most of my writings have focused on the wonder of sailing it is time to pay attention to the technical aspects integral to making your boat go where you want it to. How fast you want to get to your destination depends on your perspective. If a storm is brewing you would want to get to shelter. Regardless of whether you seek a safe harbor or choose to sail in another direction to avoid a downpour, getting to your destination efficiently makes sense. If you are racing you would want to get to the finish line before the competition. Wouldn't you?

After years of racing on crewed boats one peeve I have is chatter on the rail. This is quite common on those long upwind legs. With the rail digging into your hamstrings while avoiding the spray jettisoning from the bow, crew seem instinctively trying to focus on world news or whose dating whom. Perhaps it is comfort chat. BUT, in addition to presenting an unsafe situation, it is slow.

Sherry Beckett clearly outlines 4 topics worth chatting about while on the rail. See section 2.4 of her 'Crew Handbook, which can be found at:

http://www.svsoggypaws.com/fastlane/FastLane5thEd.PDF

1. Spot wind gusts by looking at the ripples on the water
2. Give bearings on other boats
3. Give bearings on windward mark
4. Know where we are in relation to the whole course

Now, we have something to talk about on the rail. Even more so, we have a reason to go back to the club after the race for a cold drink while catching up on the latest . . .

Sailing Made Easier

Hard to believe, I know that twice this past month I sacrified great sailing for spending time dockside. When I could have spent two more weeks in the Bahamas I chose to come back to the brackish waters of the Intercoastal Waterway in my home waters. Then, just yesterday when I could have sailed the ocean blue from Ft. Pierce to Port Canaveral I again chose the ICW in order to come home day early. What has gotten in to me?


In the first case, I realized a 28 foot boat, even with its comfortable 8x10 patios on either side of the main hull, just wasn't seaworthy enough for my crossing the great oceans. So, I headed west from Abaco when I had a 98% chance of excellent sailing across the Gulf Stream; one can never be 100% sure of perfection. During those two weeks home I spent every day researching a more seaworthy multihull.


Just this past Tuesday when leaving for a 3 day sail and camp with my new sailing bud, Sherrie R.. we had a really tough time leaving the dock. There is a strong current where Turkey Creek flows into Palm Bay where SPRAY is docked. After 15 minutes of fighting to get out of the slip, I vowed, "This sucks and will never happen again."


Despite a beautiful sail to Ft. Pierce my thoughts were focused on ways to improve the docking situation. Afterall, despite the current, it is an ideal location to where I live and work. The dock is owned by a great friend and professional multihull sailor. It is great fun hanging out at his place. Besides, he's an excellent coach and freely offers safety tips. After a peaceful sleep at anchor on the north side of the bascule bridge I told Sherrie of my disappointment that it would be in our best interest to go home a day early and start working on a new docking system. That way when we want to sail off in the future it will be a matter of flipping a few lines and getting underway in about two minutes rather than struggle each and every time.


Moral of the story: When sailing at sixty staying away from hard objects - like docks and pilings -it is more important than an extra day of sailing. Funny how priorities change . . .

Oops,

This new blog is interesting. I must have hit the button to publish the previous entry before I said, thanks for listening, stay tuned, and ladies: come sail with me!

Sailing Back in Home Waters

What a pleasant surprise! After years of wishing there was another women's team sailing a similar boat to my preference, I have the privilege of consession. That is, while I would prefer someone else acquire a multihull, I have been given the opportunity to skipper an all women's team aboard a Lindenberg 28. Two other L28s compete in our monthly and annual women's events so at least I can measure my abilaity in a more competitive style than having a more dissimilar style of boat.

The real honor is that this particular L28 was owned and skippered by Sherry Beckett. Sherry raced Fast Lane for nearly 10 years in the Melbourne area and built a respectable reputation with her seamanship and hard work keeping the women sailing. Then, just two days ago Rochelle Y., one of her former crew, who now skippers Mouse, another L28, bequeathed me with 3 of her original Fast Lane t-shirts. Wow, I don't know who to thank the most:

Sherry for leaving me a trail to follow (she is currently circumnavigating the globe).
Rochelle for convincing the new Fast Lane owners to enter into the women's series.
Will G. and Phil S. the current owners for agreeing to letting me skipper.
Tom K. for his excellent coaching.
The new crew who are proving to be 'fast women' regarding the learning curve.
Dan S. that special guy I always come home to.