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boatgirl123 · 29-06-2013, 14:21

Wow is all I can say. It was awesome turning off the engine and hearing the sails pop and we were off!! I'm hooked! Great teacher dean at best boat rental and school in Fort Lauderdale. Learning on the j80 is amazing. Learning near a very busy area at port Everglades is a bit daunting. I can honestly say there were three separate times where my heart skipped a couple of beats. One being that a big freighter moving in on us as we were out in the middle of the ocean practicing points of sail. Freighters are fast contrary to their appearance of moving slow is all i can say. Second one was during a jibe trying to make it across to the other side, felt like I was ice skating in the boat. Not much to hang on to at all, waves throwing and tossing us and trying to grab lines all at the same time. Trying to grab a winch handle, attach it and hold the line while you crank it. Then get back to your seat. Lol. Third one well I'll wait to comment on that one. Tomorrow is another school day and winds are expected to be at 15-20knots out of the south. So it will be a lot different than the 8-10 today. My instructor said I was a sandbagger. He let me be at the helm for most of the time and work the main sheet. My favorite part is heeling and watching the rails in the water if just for a bit before i correct it and ease out the main sail a bit. So ill post again tomorrow.

**David M** · 29-06-2013, 15:03

Sounds like a great time...enjoy!

Teknav · 29-06-2013, 15:08

Wonderful BG! Make sure you have a few pictures taken while at the helm, and a few more while setting the anchor and in the dinghy. Have fun!

Mauritz

denverd0n · 29-06-2013, 15:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatgirl123

My favorite part is heeling and watching the rails in the water...

Good for you! That's the part that scares the bejeezus out of a lot of newbies. They think that anytime the boat leans over more than a degree or two, it is going to tip. In fact, for monohulls at least, you really NEED to be heeled over some to sail best.