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Been a long time since I sailed a dinghy
Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 6:27 am
by wdscobie
I've sailed lots of small trailer sailors recently: Montgomerys, Sages, SCAMPs, etc; but been
over 25 years since helming a dinghy.
Couple of years ago found a deal on a Montgomery 6'8" with most of a sailing kit. This summer I actually put a plan into motion to complete the rig and get out and sail v just rowing around and using the dinghy as a tender.
After a collecting the missing bits and some tinkering finally got the boat in sailing condition. Yesterday afternoo had a great three hour first sail!
IMG_20210802_165854_139_copy_486x486.jpg
Re: Been a long time since I sailed a dinghy
Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 8:44 am
by Michel
Really nice little dinghy! The sail looks huge for the boat! It must be very good in light air. Is it a handfull in more heavy weather?
Re: Been a long time since I sailed a dinghy
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 6:45 pm
by lustyslogger
At least someone is sailing. I have not been out since last November.Right now its just too hot and wet. We get rain almost every day. The temps here are in the mid to high 90's with the humidity about the same. Unfortunately I cannot take the extremely hot weather like I could even five years ago.
Maybe this week end. Cross my fingers.
Re: Been a long time since I sailed a dinghy
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 6:10 am
by Michel
I also don't sail very much. It is the big vacations season, here in Quebec so it is hell at the ramp and mahem on the water. The power boats are just to many with a lot of speeders and noise! I feel safer at home for the times being. Still a week to go and it will be OK again.
BTW Norman, I once suffered for a mild heat stroke caught while sailing in light winds some years ago! I was happy that it was only a mild one because it is not fun at all! Better be carefull than sorry!
Re: Been a long time since I sailed a dinghy
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2021 6:10 am
by wdscobie
Michel wrote: ↑Tue Aug 03, 2021 8:44 am
It must be very good in light air. Is it a handfull in more heavy weather?
The M6'8" doesn't take much wind to move. Much more stable that I expected. Most wind so far is 10-12kts. Really scoots along!
The pram bow means a wet ride going to weather as seas approach about 10-12"+.
Small dinghy sailing involves spinning on one's rear end while tacking. I'm re-learning how to do this. Also need to make sure no lines get tangled.
Re: Been a long time since I sailed a dinghy
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2021 8:07 am
by Art Haberland
that would have been great on my last kayak adventure. Not much wind at all and some areas were very shallow.
Re: Been a long time since I sailed a dinghy
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2021 11:52 am
by Michel
wdscobie wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 6:10 am
Michel wrote: ↑Tue Aug 03, 2021 8:44 am
It must be very good in light air. Is it a handfull in more heavy weather?
The M6'8" doesn't take much wind to move. Much more stable that I expected. Most wind so far is 10-12kts. Really scoots along!
The pram bow means a wet ride going to weather as seas approach about 10-12"+.
Small dinghy sailing involves spinning on one's rear end while tacking. I'm re-learning how to do this. Also need to make sure no lines get tangled.
We also have to mind the board! I like to keep it in when running downwind.
Re: Been a long time since I sailed a dinghy
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 8:12 am
by GENE L
Nice Dave! You've pretty much sailed all of the different size boats under 25ft I'd guess. Sailing from a dinghy's perspective gives you insights into your surroundings, unlike larger boats which can give a false sense of security. Glad to know you're out sailing and enjoying Life Dave. You can always ring me up if you end up in the Northeast again.