Heeling Over Day 4

Yesterday was glorious. The wind was 15 knots out of the east, creating a little chop on our way out, but otherwise perfect conditions on the water.

It was my turn to take us out of the harbor, which an unnamed member of the Chicago Sailing staff questioned, and we got quickly out and underway. With the main and jib up we were cruising out there.

The day was devoted to saving Steve, our lifejacket dummy. He spent a ton of time in the water. Luckily, all of our crew members stayed where they should be in the boat, so we didn't have to do a real man over board.

I have heard over and over from our instructors as they start lessons that a keelboat cannot tip over. There's a 700 lb weight at the bottom. Even though mentally, I know this, there is something a bit unsettling when a J/22 heels over until one of the rails is in the water. And when I say unsettling, I really mean my heart jumped up into my throat for a second and my body fought against what the boat was doing.

By the end of the day we had not only saved Steve, but everyone in the class was moving with the boat as it heeled over. We also learned to control how much the boat heeled using the main sheet. (Remember, we have sheets or lines on boats. No ropes.)

Today's my final day, and while I'm not as obsessed as some Chicago Sailing staff members, I'm very excited to get more time on the water.