Hands-on Training Can’t be Beat
Each spring we invite all members to participate in a two-day training weekend. The program offers everyone a chance to practice steering under power and sail, docking, and anchoring. You do not have to be a skipper or first mate to work on these skills that make you an even more valuable crew member on every trip.
Cindy at the helm, Anne Marie, Mark, Gary, and Bruce
This year we deviated a bit from our usual training routine as Saturday was forecast to be a perfect sailing day and Sunday, while predicted to also be a nice day, only light winds were forecast.
Once the Saturday boat checkout was complete, the Legacy crew headed out to the bay for some sailing practice. Legacy was sailed on each point of sail including some time spent wing-on-wing. Additionally, the crew hove-to for a pleasant lunch, discussed man overboard procedures, practiced tacking and gybing maneuvers, and finally, practiced reefing the sails.
Aboard Arabella the crew practiced line handling, knots, and cleats while still at the dock, and then set out into the Bay. Trainees took turns performing each of the roles while sailing – steering, handling the mainsail, and handling the jib. Arabella’s unusual jib configuration with barber haulers on the jib sheets added surprising complexity, although the more advanced crew began to see the value in controlling sail trim – once they figured out how to use it. They worked through heaving to for lunch, setting and resetting the sails and helm to find the optimal “stop here and drift” setting – illustrating how every boat is different. They also discussed person-overboard procedures. Once back underway with trainees practicing steering a straight course, Mia tossed a cushion overboard and shouted “man overboard!” A bit of chaos ensued as crew hurried to douse sails, turn the boat, start the engine, toss out the lifesling, and keep a watch on the MOB. Seeing how the lifesling works (or doesn’t) was very instructive. Once the cushion was recovered and the exercise discussed, the trainees asked to try it again, but skip the lifesling. So the cushion went back in the water and with everyone taking on different roles from the first time, it was eventually recovered.
John steers under sail while Hans keeps watch on traffic.
Sunday became Legacy’s day for power exercises. After breakfast, the crew headed over to Swan Creek Marina’s mooring field to practice some under power maneuvers, such as figure eights (both in forward and reverse), catching moorings, and standing turns. Arabella also engaged in power exercises and soon found themselves competing for open moorings with not only Legacy, but a boat full of Philadelphia Sailing Club folks, also doing their training weekend. Nonetheless, everyone had a chance to “back up to the dock (mooring ball)” and drive the boat under power in forward in reverse, feeling the effect of prop walk (which was light, but still present on Arabella with her sail drive and twin rudders).
Operations then moved to the Swan Creek North anchorage for some trial anchoring and lunch while on the hook. Finally, Legacy teamed up with Arabella for some docking and rafting practice. Touch and goes and anchoring practice in shallow Swan Creek was tricky with a very low tide rapidly stealing the water.
Mid-afternoon, both boats returned to Haven Marina’s fuel dock to fuel up, pump out, then return to the slip for the crew’s departure.
Arabella’s Crew: Andres, Mary Ann, Hans, John, Mia, and Debbie
