Never sailed, going on iffy trip. Advice wanted

[Mirrors]

I'm a landlubber who'd like to learn how to sail, and have been invited on a sailing trip with a family member who has been sailing all his life, but has had one foulup where he decided to sit out a typhoon offshore without proper anchorage. It resulted in the death of his wife. <br /><br />He's planning on taking a 100-mile long cruise along the west coast of mexico in early June. At first it as going to be the two of us, but I balked because should something happen to him, we'd be utterly screwed, so I insisted he bring along another able-bodied seaman, as well as keeping all the booze off the boat. What they drink on land is fine, but I don't want to be around drunken sailors. I also looked at pfd's and decided on some hi-tech coast-guard approved thing with a whistle and a beeper light. Advice appreciated. Thanks.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Never sailed, going on iffy trip. Advice wanted

Go for it, It sounds like your family member is an avid sailor and should be able take care of you. AND YES you do not want to be around drunken sailors, you will not know what to do with them. Read a book on sailing so you will have basic knowledge. You should also have a safety harness, the life jacket will do you no good when you are floating in the water watching the sailboat sail away.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Never sailed, going on iffy trip. Advice wanted

Mirrors,<br /><br />You paint a picture that I find very uncomfortable. If for some reason you feel that there is any chance of anything less than 100% confidence, then step back.<br /><br />Why are you doing this in the first place. 100 miles is not that long a sail. 15-20 hrs. Is there a history you have not shared, why the liquor requirement? What size boat? How is it rigged? They don't have PFD's on board? No harnesses? <br /><br />Way too many questions here, stay home based on what I have heard.<br /><br />Sorry.

 

[Mirrors]

Re: Never sailed, going on iffy trip. Advice wanted

Pointer is a mind-reader. Yes, there is some HEAVY family history. I haven't seen my uncle in something like 7 years. He's sailed all of his life, and also drank his entire life. So, this 100-mile coast-hugger will take about a week. I'm actually more confident about the trip now because there will be another sailor on board. I also made some kind of stipulations about seeing the charts of where we'll be and our anchorages, etc. <br /><br />I think the boat is a forty-footer. Rigging I know nothing about, but from what I see in photos, it's a double-masted affair. <br /><br />Apparently a rat got on board at some point and decided to chew through some pretty necessary systems, including refrigeration and more importantly, the auto-pilot. I can live with warm soda, but I worry about the steering problem. I know folks have been doing the old way for thousands of years, but I would be comfortable having something controlling the boat that actually knows where it is without using a damn sextant. <br /><br />As far as harnesses and pfd's, I wouldn't doubt they are on board, but I'm going to get my own as a measure of precaution. I think that if I approach the boat and I feel any kind of willies, I'm turning tail and running back to the airport.

 

[xavierq]

Re: Never sailed, going on iffy trip. Advice wanted

Like Pointer says, if you don't feel comfortable stay ashore...however, it seems that you have already made your choice to go along. Read some of the chapters related to sailing and safety from Chapman's Piloting: Seamanship & Boat Handling (63rd Ed.) It is well worth the reading if you're not so salty. Also, it may make you feel more comfortable to bring along a satellite phone (keep it in a water tight bag) and/or an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon). The EPIRB broadcasts a MAYDAY signal and many come with integrated GPS which will send the exact GPS location as well.<br />Good Luck...it seems you'll need it!

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Never sailed, going on iffy trip. Advice wanted

Mirrors,<br /><br />This was a course taken by some of the racing sailors that claimed it was worth while. It might be a little advanced but it will give you an understanding of how all the sails interact and react with regards to the craft. <br /><br />More of a racing course, and a Ketch rig isn't usually used for racing except in round the world type races.<br /><br /> http://www.northsails.co.uk/media/fast/

 

[handball]

Re: Never sailed, going on iffy trip. Advice wanted

Mirrors,<br /><br />Just a couple of things to keep in mind if you take the trip to keep yourself safer.<br /><br />First of all always stay low in the cockpit if possible well away from any swinging booms.If a boat jibes or tacks the boom swings sometimes violently from one side to the other and can throw a persone overboard.<br /><br />If you are asked to man a winch when tacking be carefull to keep your fingers clear of the lines.<br /><br />Never try to relieve your self by hanging off the stern, people sometimes loose there grip and fall overboard doing this.<br /><br />Always keep one hand firmly on a handhold while moving foward or aft.<br /><br />Make sure you have something with you for motion sickness and take it before leaving the dock.<br /><br />You might think about having a beer with the other members of the crew before the trip to see if they drink to much.<br /><br />Good luck<br /><br />Bill

 

[Oldsaltydog]

Re: Never sailed, going on iffy trip. Advice wanted

You have gotten a great deal of fine advice. On a gut level, I have some reservations, but so it be. How about asking the skipper to take you out on an overnighter before the longer voyage? You might learn a some valuable lessons, before "taking the leap."