We just aquired our little Catalina 22 and are making repairs. We will ultimately call GSL Marina home. Have not been on the GSL yet, but since someone has to get something going in this thread, I'll bend the rules and give you our second trip in the C22 on Bear Lake. Sailing anything bigger than a Sunfish is new to us, so we are making a lot of mistakes!
September 13, 2008
Second time on the water...
Last Saturday (9/13/08) we took the C22 up to Bear Lake in northern Utah. The lake is turquoise in color due to mineral content and very pretty. I managed to break a bottle of wine before we even got the sails up (note to self...always carry extra wine). Winds started light and we were about a mile out of the State Marina. We started getting some wave action and the winds began growing and gusting. The little ship was doing well and we were close hauled with the main and the jib, heeling modestly, working our way northeast into the north wind. My wife was reclined on the starboard cockpit bench with a martini in her hand, about half asleep. With no warning, we took a hard gust abeam on the port side and were nearly knocked down. The ship heeled smartly, the starboard rail went under and the jib was dragging water. I pushed the tiller hard over and tried to head us into the wind and looked around desperately for my life jacket. Being so far out of the water, the stern was digging deep, and the helm slow to respond. I was pleased and releived to see my wife scrambling up on her hands and knees to the high side to help balance the ship. Only problem was she stopped half way across the cockpit to take aim and throw her drink on me. A complete waste of darn good vodka which I could have used about then!
The rudder finally took and when the sails came up we were facing the wind and stable (at least the boat was). The love of my life remained very irritated for the next half hour or so. Seems that I am supposed to control the wind - LOL! The CD player was broken, our things scattered about the cabin and everything was generally a mess. I drank a nice potent martini and contemplated whether the boat could right itself if knocked down or capsized. I decided not to sail close hauled anymore until I did some more research.
All in all, a successful trip and a lesson learned. I will be getting LOML a sippy cup for future travels upon our inland seas and taking a change of clothes just in case. These boats are great fun.
We are reading and learning quickly. Hope you enjoy our little adventure story though I see it landed not under Cool Boat Trips! Happy Thanksgiving!
Tim