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.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Saving Steve - Day 3
Day 3 we were blessed with beautiful weather. The day started out with a reefed main only, but we did raise the jib for part of our time out on the water.
Andrew really wanted to hammer in points of sail, so we spent more time working around the clock. Close Hauled, Close Reach, etc. all the way down through a gybe and then back into the wind, finishing with a tack.
At the end of the day we started working on our Man Over Board procedure. The BBC, as Andrew calls it, is one of those crucial skills we need to master to be approved to rent boats on our own. We successfully saved "Steve" once, and will be heading out there again to practice more today.
Later on, after class we had an evening renter that had issues with a motor. We switched him over to another boat and I quickly checked the motor. A double fist-pump was deserved, as a I started the motor on my own.
The weather is beautiful today. Can't wait to get out on the water!
Andrew really wanted to hammer in points of sail, so we spent more time working around the clock. Close Hauled, Close Reach, etc. all the way down through a gybe and then back into the wind, finishing with a tack.
At the end of the day we started working on our Man Over Board procedure. The BBC, as Andrew calls it, is one of those crucial skills we need to master to be approved to rent boats on our own. We successfully saved "Steve" once, and will be heading out there again to practice more today.
Later on, after class we had an evening renter that had issues with a motor. We switched him over to another boat and I quickly checked the motor. A double fist-pump was deserved, as a I started the motor on my own.
The weather is beautiful today. Can't wait to get out on the water!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Drinking the Kool Aid - Day 2
After the excitement of Day 1, I was anxious to get out for Day 2. As I beat all of my fellow students, it wasn't that hard since I work in the houseboat, I took advantage of Andrew's time and took another turn at the motor. Success!
We rigged up quickly and headed out to make the most of our 3 hours on the water. I've been surprised at how quickly it flashes by out there.
Here are some shots that I managed to take while out there.
We rotated positions on the boat, working through points of sail, tacking and gybing. I narrowly avoided having to buy Andrew lunch, phew.
On the way back to dock we did the Raven. Andrew told me he would fail me if I posted it on the internet, oh well!
Today will be devoted to learning crew over board, perfecting points of sail and, I'm going to guess with the wind, reefing.
We rigged up quickly and headed out to make the most of our 3 hours on the water. I've been surprised at how quickly it flashes by out there.
Here are some shots that I managed to take while out there.
We rotated positions on the boat, working through points of sail, tacking and gybing. I narrowly avoided having to buy Andrew lunch, phew.
On the way back to dock we did the Raven. Andrew told me he would fail me if I posted it on the internet, oh well!
Today will be devoted to learning crew over board, perfecting points of sail and, I'm going to guess with the wind, reefing.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Day 1
I have worked for Chicago Sailing for nearly a year and a half. During that time, I've picked up some of the vernacular and learned parts of boats. People are surprised to find out that I don't actually sail. Which isn't to say that I don't get out sailing from time to time. So many people who work at Chicago Sailing know how to sail, you can easily find someone interested in going out.
Chicago Sailing is a very complex organization, last season was taxing enough just learning the business. This season, my only excuse for not getting out early is that I've been busy. Finally one of our new instructors Andrew convinced me to hop into a class he was teaching. Before this week is over, he may come to regret that.
Day 1 was touchy, with fog rolling in and out of the harbor. I figured we'd end up doing a lot of dock work and knots, which is fine. Docking well is very important, especially when you work for Chicago Sailing. As it turned out, the fog lifted enough for us to go out.
I'm comfortable enough out on the water to have been really excited about the sailing aspects of the class. What was really scary to me was the motor. We got lucky. Andrew chose Isis for our first day and that motor was behaving, someone on my boat must have built up good karma. I had visions of my 14 year-old self pulling madly at the lawn mower cord trying to get it started. Ugh. I did not want to be the one person in our boat unable to get the motor started. At some point, I am sure I will not be able to get it to go. Luckily, yesterday was not that day. And now, I at least understand the steps to go through to get the motor started.
1. Open the air vent in the gas tank cap.
2. Push the fuel lever on the side of the motor down (as Andrew said, think about gravity and fuel trickling down into the motor).
3. Check that the kill switch is in.
4. Raise the choke lever up.
5. Make sure that the speed control lever thing (only technical terms are used at Chicago Sailing) is in the start position.
6. Pull the cord.
Voila! At least, we hope.
After docking practice we went out into the lake, joining a few Chicago Sailing boats and some of Chicago Yacht Clubs youth programs. It was a bit choppy out there! My stomach stayed fairly calm, though I was careful at points to find a building or the crib to focus on.
I'm not sure if Andrew makes all of his students do this or due to my presence on the boat he decided to have a little fun, but we returned to dock doing "The Raven." Those on B Dock got to see Isis returning to her slip, with the motor cut off, all the students on board rocking her back and forth and doing our best impressions of Peter Pan's bird call. Thanks Andrew.
Today, Andrew plans to focus on Tacking and Gybing with time spent on knots. I'll remember to bring the camera this time. Hopefully the weather behaves!
Chicago Sailing is a very complex organization, last season was taxing enough just learning the business. This season, my only excuse for not getting out early is that I've been busy. Finally one of our new instructors Andrew convinced me to hop into a class he was teaching. Before this week is over, he may come to regret that.
Day 1 was touchy, with fog rolling in and out of the harbor. I figured we'd end up doing a lot of dock work and knots, which is fine. Docking well is very important, especially when you work for Chicago Sailing. As it turned out, the fog lifted enough for us to go out.
I'm comfortable enough out on the water to have been really excited about the sailing aspects of the class. What was really scary to me was the motor. We got lucky. Andrew chose Isis for our first day and that motor was behaving, someone on my boat must have built up good karma. I had visions of my 14 year-old self pulling madly at the lawn mower cord trying to get it started. Ugh. I did not want to be the one person in our boat unable to get the motor started. At some point, I am sure I will not be able to get it to go. Luckily, yesterday was not that day. And now, I at least understand the steps to go through to get the motor started.
1. Open the air vent in the gas tank cap.
2. Push the fuel lever on the side of the motor down (as Andrew said, think about gravity and fuel trickling down into the motor).
3. Check that the kill switch is in.
4. Raise the choke lever up.
5. Make sure that the speed control lever thing (only technical terms are used at Chicago Sailing) is in the start position.
6. Pull the cord.
Voila! At least, we hope.
After docking practice we went out into the lake, joining a few Chicago Sailing boats and some of Chicago Yacht Clubs youth programs. It was a bit choppy out there! My stomach stayed fairly calm, though I was careful at points to find a building or the crib to focus on.
I'm not sure if Andrew makes all of his students do this or due to my presence on the boat he decided to have a little fun, but we returned to dock doing "The Raven." Those on B Dock got to see Isis returning to her slip, with the motor cut off, all the students on board rocking her back and forth and doing our best impressions of Peter Pan's bird call. Thanks Andrew.
Today, Andrew plans to focus on Tacking and Gybing with time spent on knots. I'll remember to bring the camera this time. Hopefully the weather behaves!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Two Months Already!
Today is June 10th, marking 2 months of open operation for our 25th Season. It's hard to believe it has only been 2 months! Already, over 80 people have completed our Basic Sailing course. It has been a great time getting to know all of the faces on B Dock.
Unfortunately, we haven't had such great luck with weather on Tuesday nights. By my count, we've had 50% of our Tuesday BBQs get rained out. Poor form, weather. One first successful BBQ of the season was our Cuatro de Mayo night. Natty has also hosted Sausage Fest on the grill. Hopefully, this week's rainy Tuesday was the last of our rained out BBQs and we continue on with the season with sun and fair winds.
In my personal journey from motorboats to wind power, I've been a bit delayed. My day job keeps getting in the way! Next week, our new instructor Andrew, gets the joy of having me on his boat. I can't wait to get out on the water. Andrew even seems excited.
This weekend will be a busy one on B Dock. Hope to see you!
Unfortunately, we haven't had such great luck with weather on Tuesday nights. By my count, we've had 50% of our Tuesday BBQs get rained out. Poor form, weather. One first successful BBQ of the season was our Cuatro de Mayo night. Natty has also hosted Sausage Fest on the grill. Hopefully, this week's rainy Tuesday was the last of our rained out BBQs and we continue on with the season with sun and fair winds.
In my personal journey from motorboats to wind power, I've been a bit delayed. My day job keeps getting in the way! Next week, our new instructor Andrew, gets the joy of having me on his boat. I can't wait to get out on the water. Andrew even seems excited.
This weekend will be a busy one on B Dock. Hope to see you!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Suddenly it's Memorial Day Weekend!
Wow, have we been busy. Where did May go?
On May 14 - 16, we hosted US SAILING's Instructor Training course. Participants in the course went through a rigorous training program in the classroom and on the water. We were thrilled to have 5 of our instructors complete the course and are excited for them to begin sharing their new skills with our students.
Maintenance is a constant project at Chicago Sailing, with most of the boatwork taking place over the winter in the shop. This season we've taken several projects to the end of the dock for extended repairs in the start of the season.
Our J/30 has had all of her hardware removed, top to bottom. The deck is in the process of getting sanded and will have new paint and varnish.
At the very end of the dock, is Parvenu. There's still much to be done on the boat to make it tip-top. The varnish work is beautiful and we love seeing that mast up again.
Our instructors have made the most of their time on the water, even days with light air. Brian Moon's current batch of students are expert dockers, after a little extra practice on a light air day.
This weekend will be a busy one on B Dock. We hope to see you soon, as we kick off the start of our busy summer season!
On May 14 - 16, we hosted US SAILING's Instructor Training course. Participants in the course went through a rigorous training program in the classroom and on the water. We were thrilled to have 5 of our instructors complete the course and are excited for them to begin sharing their new skills with our students.
Maintenance is a constant project at Chicago Sailing, with most of the boatwork taking place over the winter in the shop. This season we've taken several projects to the end of the dock for extended repairs in the start of the season.
Our J/30 has had all of her hardware removed, top to bottom. The deck is in the process of getting sanded and will have new paint and varnish.
At the very end of the dock, is Parvenu. There's still much to be done on the boat to make it tip-top. The varnish work is beautiful and we love seeing that mast up again.
Our instructors have made the most of their time on the water, even days with light air. Brian Moon's current batch of students are expert dockers, after a little extra practice on a light air day.
This weekend will be a busy one on B Dock. We hope to see you soon, as we kick off the start of our busy summer season!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
BBQ's at Chicago Sailing
Last week we started our Tuesday night tradition of barbecuing. If you've never made it to a Tuesday BBQ, this is the season to start.Every Tuesday night we grill this season. Every other Tuesday will have a theme. Last week's BBQ featured a Cinco de Mayo theme.
Liz Weber created her Guacasalsamole, which was outstanding. She's been kind enough to share her recipe with us!
Guacasalsamole
4 ripe avocados
4 tomatillos
2 bunches of scallions
approximately a 1/3 of a bunch of cilantro
juice of 1 lime
salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, cumin to taste
De-husk all of the tomatillos. Boil 2 of the tomatillos until soft and let cool. Chop all 4 of the tomatillos. Chop the cilantro, green onions and scoop the flesh of the avocados into a large bowl. Combine all ingredients including lime juice and spices and mix. Cover with saran wrap on top of dip and refrigerate for a couple of hours.
Our tacos featured Heather's tried and true recipe. Chop some onions, garlic and jalapenos. Add salt and pepper, juice of 1 - 2 limes, lots of cilantro and olive oil. Throw your meat in, marinate for a few hours and then grill! Once the meat gets off the grill, chop it up and put in your tacos with all the toppings you can fit.Old friends (started sailing with us in 2002, we think) and new (just finished Basic!) connected over food and got some time in on the water. Come down and join us next Tuesday. The grills will be on and the boats will be ready.
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