Leaving the nest?

[OldFrog75]

I assume most on CF began their sailing endeavors locally - either coastal cruising or in lakes.

I'd like to hear about your first sailing endeavor outside your local comfort zone where you felt in your gut like maybe you were testing the limits of your knowledge and skill (as in having second thoughts about the whole idea).

Could be anything: a 20 nm daysail and anchoring for the first time based upon your limited ability to read charts, intentionally heading out in heavy weather, your first charter in the BVI, crossing the English Channel, etc.

[MarkJ]

Fear is the key.

The only place that teaches about fear is, surprisingly it may seem, the army.

If you read stuff like quoted below, but change "combat" for "passage" and "soldier" for "sailor" it reads pretty right.

• Admit that fear exists when in combat.
• Ensure communication lines are open between leaders and subordinates.
• Do not assume unnecessary risks.
• Provide good, caring leadership.
• Treat combat stress reactions as combat injuries.
• Recognize the limits of a Soldier's endurance.
• Openly discuss moral implications of behavior in combat.
• Reward and recognize Soldiers and their families for personal sacrifices.

To reduce stress, the leader should:

• Lead by inspiration, not fear or intimidation.
• Initiate and support stress management programs.
• Provide information to focus stress positively.
• Ensure each Service member has mastered at least two stress coping (relaxation) techniques, a slow one for deep relaxation and a quick one for on the job

Leadership and stress in combat (ArmyStudyGuide.com)

On all my long passages, 1,00 miles, up to 3,200 miles there must be some trpidation as one hauls the anchor. if not theres something seriously wrong.

[kentobin]

What are you fishing for? There be writers looking for information around here and not sailors, armchair or otherwise.

[OldFrog75]

Originally Posted by kentobin

What are you fishing for? There be writers looking for information around here and not sailors, armchair or otherwise.

If I were a writer, which I'm not, I hope I would have the integrity to actively and openly solicit stories for a specified purpose and give credit where credit is due.

[Ocean Girl]

I was 19 when first ventured out on my own. I was crew on a boat from Texas to USVI. Frankly, I was too naive ( read blissfully unaware) to be truly fearful. I was just so damn happy to be on an adventure, to be away from the restraints of family's expectations of me( I had just dropped out of college). The discovery of that wondrously beautiful blue world. Looking back, my most vivid memories are of blue sky, blue sea. A blue world with splashes of white.
That trip we were caught in a storm, I remember being so in awe of the craziness. How utterly crazy the ocean gets! Black water, black sky, all coming at you. I felt so small and yet so sure I was exactly where I was supposed to be . Funny, I remember the ocean better than I remember the ports.

Yes, I'm romanticizing it, it was romantic! I was that quote from Slocum, “To young men contemplating a voyage I would say go.” , except i was a young girl. The sea did and always will woe me. Even with the bad times, once safely anchored, hot shower, the bruises fade, and a nice hot meal always softens the story.

[zeehag]

my first sailing experience was at age 7.
i dont have a true discomfort zone. sailing rocks, especially as a lifestyle and main transportation mode.
something breaks ---- you fix and keep on going

but then i stood on a "hot" race track with cars coming right at me at 185 mph---so what is a comfort zone.....

happy sails. we are each and all different--is what makes up life and living.

[Ocean Girl]

Originally Posted by zeehag

my first sailing experience was at age 7. i dont have a true discomfort zone. sailing rocks, especially as a lifestyle and main transportation mode.


but then i stood on a hot race track with cars coming right at me at 185 mph---so what is a comfort zone.....

happy sails. we are each and all different--is what makes up life and living.

You are my hero, Z

[pistarckle]

Every time you leave is a learning experience ! You do not have to know much to go cruising . When we left on a thirteen year cruise we knew very little about anything . All the things that we thought were important were not . After a year or two you begin to realize that most of the other cruisers are doing just what you are doing , taking lessons everyday . All the high priced fancy gadgets get left and scattered all over your cruising grounds !
The important things never change , never enter a strange port at nite , reef early . have sails up or handy when motoring , ain't no such thing as a lunch hook [ when ya anchor you want it to 'stay ' even only for lunch ] . in the Carib never leave the boat with the hatches open cause its gonna rain . Those great big boom awnings [ the great flat sail ] should never be left up and untended . All these things I learned the hard way , plus many more . But I believe that it ain't a real lesson unless you almost wet in your britches .

[JPA Cate]

I was never afraid at the outset, only after I had been sailing for years. Go figure. I think maybe it is because I tend to get seasick in bad weather, from the jerky motion, and that distracts me from any possible dangers. Besides, some amazingly wonderful things happened, that filled me with joy, and it's hard for fear and joy to cohabit.

Mark's right, people mainly are not taught how to use fear constructively. For sailing, after admitting one is fearful (if one is), then you need to select your best action alternative and follow through right then. Especially if the wind is building and your trepidation has to do with going on the foredeck, it is best to harness up (if you're not already) and get out there and do the deed.

Ann

[tbodine88]

First time sailing out of comfort zone was sailing around Galveston. I didn't do enough prep, although I did a lot of the wrong kind. It was easy, although I was sea sick. So I planned a bigger trip, to sail from Texas City to Corpus, failed miserably, learned a lot, (like its easier to sail the other way), the boat and I survived and I am still sailing Today. More info at Sailing Around Galveston in Frimi

[zeehag]

og--i am afraid of lightning and i donot do heights or spideys...... but i will ail a prefontal wind and i will go into breezy places..... as long as wind is enough to sailmy boat--must be over 15 kts...

it just helps to have a heavy solid boat under your butt.. with 2 masts.... makes the experience not so much work.

oh yes and a hdl autopilot for crew.....

[captain58sailin]

In the late 90s, I was working out of Del Carmen, and once in awhile, I would get to take a walk off the boat into town or to the local public beach. I came upon a new born baby sea turtle making his way inland (I say his, I couldn't lift up the tail to determine the sex) so I called him "Wrong way Jose' ", he was pretty weak, barely moved. I cupped him in my palm and walked to the surf, which was some way, away. He barely moved, I feared he would die before I got him where he needed to be. Once in the surf, I held on to him till he revived, the transformation was immediate and amazing as soon as he touched the salt water he pointed his nose out to sea and dove in and started swimming very strongly out to sea. That is how being to sea affects me as well. It isn't that I don't have any fear; I have accepted that I one day will die and if I happen to be at sea then it will be okay. I am at home here.

[zeehag]

sea calls some of us very loudly.......

[Butler]

I, like many I think am much more scared of the prospect of a tough time on the ocean than I am when I am in the middle of one (so far!). You just hang on and do what has to be done after all.
I am most likely to get scared of taking off on a big trip and then I start putting together a plan, a route and I go over charts,guides, weather etc etc and with each bit of info the fear becomes more manageable and curiosity and interest fill the gap.

Right now I am faced with the decision to go solo on a boat that has me well outside my comfort zone. 1. Wallow for a minute in fear. 2.Start to ask how i might get away with it. 3. Develop a list of equipment/rigging etc. options to get the boat in hand. 4. Work up a schedule of practice runs in a sheltered situation to build familiarity with the boat and develop safe solo practices. 5. Route and weather planning, anchorages that are easier to manage, seasonal weather issues etc... In other words: get scared then get busy...be patient and keep pushing the envelope. With any luck I will soon start to feel right at home and will wonder what I was worried about. The motivating force is the love of the sea and the joy that comes with it even in those more "sporting" moments when a clarity of purpose takes over... I'm knocking on wood with that romantic crap...
Oh... and talk to folks like Z who recently reminded me that "there is always a way!"

[boatman61]

Funny enough my moments of fear/trepidation... call it what you will.. are before I actually step on board.
By the time I wake the following morning its all positive and dealing with SSDD...