From the article: Mistakes We Can Learn From
Share your own funny sailing story here and help others learn a thing or two while they enjoy your story. Tell your story!
Another Vow
- We were newlyweds and novice sailors in a rented Merit 27 when a nor’easter quality t-storm came barreling through. It hit us with torrential rain and wind that put the mast parallel to the water and we never thought to shorten sail! We were in the cockpit with me at the tiller. We battled to keep the boat upright letting the sails out and bringing them back in. We were soaked, cold and frightened in our first storm at sea and we still never thought to reduce sail! She kept turning around to face me saying that I am doing a great job. This bolstered my confidence until one time she turned back forward and I saw her make the unmistakable hand motion of the sign of the cross. Her prayers were answered and the storm rolled through. As the sun came out we saw an older couple looking very comfortable with their foul weather gear and greatly reduced sail moving past us smiling like they just had the ride of their life. We both took another vow; to become just like them.
- —Guest tbolen
Five Minutes Too Long
- Yes, we saw the dark, towering cloud and were headed in toward the mooring, but the sailing was so beautiful that I asked to stay out for just another five minutes. The squall hit with a vengeance! My six-year-old son was up on the bow - he scrambled to the cockpit with the genny whipping behind him - looked like a scene out of a war movie! Luckily, our powerful engine plowed through the wind and waves and we were safely tethered to the mooring within a few moments. The kids learned that the engine is more trustworthy than the first mate!
- —Guest BBB
Near-Death in Cold Water
- I was bringing a light 26-footer to a dock on a river with tricky currents. My crew had the bow dockline, and I'd step off with a stern line. I was relaxed, having done this many times before. Too relaxed and overconfident to take careful note of a swirling eddy beside the dock. I stopped the boat and my crew stepped off. Then I swung a leg over the rail and jumped down - into shockingly cold water as the current swung the boat's stern out. It was a cool day and my boots and jacket filled with water as the eddy sucked me away from the dock. I fought just to reach the dock, already numb with cold. But then I couldn't climb up with the current pulling so hard on my legs. It wasn't just the laughter from those watching from the marina's deck - I was terrified I might be sucked under and die! That panic failed to give me heroic strength, but at least my crew thought to cleat off his line and come haul me out like a dead fish. Not my proudest moment, but not a mistake I'll make again.
- —Guest sailing
