Sailing in the ICW ?

[widget55]

Ok, we just bought a csy44 for cruising. Right now we have the boat on the st. johns river that does not make me too nervous but when we get out on the ocean , I think sharks and get nervous. I am excited that we have moved from sailing on a lake to the ocean but I am going to have to get over some ocean shark fear. is there any women out there that have had this fear? I know I will get over it in a matter of time...any suggestions from the women sailors out there..thanks widget

[TaoJones]

Welcome to the Forum, widget. We're glad you're here.

If you haven't already read it, you may want to have a look at this thread: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...rks-30642.html

TaoJones

[FSMike]

widget -
You can always distract your self by worrying about the gators in the St. Johns.
(Sorry - couldn't help myself - actually your biggest danger is driving down from Marietta)

[johnar]

Welcome Widget,

You are not the only one out there with a fear of the open water, The first time I took my wife out Mayport inlet she wet her pants, second time she got sea sick 3rd time she sailed the boat from Jacksonville 50 miles out to sea while I was asleep down below.

As for sailing on the ICW I have never seen anyplace you would have room to sail it. It is a very small water way and not deep at all, the wife beached us 3 times in one day on the ICW and thats with chartplotter, depth sounder. I would never try the ICW at night.

If you are on the St Johns just south of Jacksonville you have alot of room and a great place to sail.

Well I am happy you joined us here on the forum.


Dutch

[hugosalt]

Welcome Widget, Congratulations on your new boat.
Sorry I am not a woman, but I think you have the right
outlook, and yes you will overcome the fear in time.
Hopefully you will be sailing with someone understanding and will refrain from the shark jokes. Try short, good weather, day sails into the ocean the first few times. If wearing a harness and tether initially gives you comfort then use them. Keep in mind you are in a substantial boat and oceans have been crossed safely in much smaller. Most shark fishermen come in empty handed after spending all day trying to attract them with all kinds of goodies.
Personal experience with almost 400 days offshore has been
very few smallish sharks. I hope this has helped.

[widget55]

Originally Posted by hugosalt

Welcome Widget, Congratulations on your new boat.
Sorry I am not a woman, but I think you have the right
outlook, and yes you will overcome the fear in time.
Hopefully you will be sailing with someone understanding and will refrain from the shark jokes. Try short, good weather, day sails into the ocean the first few times. If wearing a harness and tether initially gives you comfort then use them. Keep in mind you are in a substantial boat and oceans have been crossed safely in much smaller. Most shark fishermen come in empty handed after spending all day trying to attract them with all kinds of goodies.
Personal experience with almost 400 days offshore has been
very few smallish sharks. I hope this has helped.

Ocean water or just to where I can not see the bottom or even my feet I do not like but with all the comments I think I will get over this fear in time.....so there are gators on the st john? ..we have been on a lake where getting in water has been fun so getting in st johns or ocean where can not see my feet I do not know if I can do. Thanks widget

[sailvayu]

This was taken off the stern while in my slip, I think I feel safer at sea lol



You Will be fine in time Don't fear what is in your mind the ocean is a beautiful place once you become comfortable there.

Fair Winds

[Hudson Force]

Please don't malign the gators. They have been documented as responsible for only 17 fatalities in Florida since 1948. More people die from Bee stings! More people die from spiders! About 500 people have died in Florida from lightning strikes during the same time interval. As many as 80/year are killed by alcohol related boating accidents in Florida. The same low risk is true for sharks as for the alligators. Bacteria on our hands are statistically more dangerous than the sharks and alligators. 'take care and joy, Aythya crew

[sailvayu]

Oh don't get me wrong I have nothing against the gators and I know they have just as much right to be there as I do. I never bother them and hope they will do the same for me. I will admit it is a bit un-nerving to be watched while I work on the boat but I am not too worried. I was trying to show the fears of things unseen or seen are mostly in our heads and add a little humor as well.

Fair Winds

[widget55]

Originally Posted by sailvayu

This was taken off the stern while in my slip, I think I feel safer at sea lol

Attachment 12836

You Will be fine in time Don't fear what is in your mind the ocean is a beautiful place once you become comfortable there.

Fair Winds

where did you take the photo of the aligator?

[sailvayu]

I have a slip in the Cape Fear river In North Carolina, (no really that is the name lol I know it works with this thread can't make that stuff up lol)

There is usually 1 or 2 gators that hang out here every summer. They are looking for hand outs but I never do that unfortunately some do and it makes them a bit too fearless of humans.

Sometimes I will be working on the boat and get a feeling I am being watched only to look over and see I am being watched lol. He getts just a bit too close for my comfort sometimes

Fair Winds

[Sailndive345]

Originally Posted by widget55

Ok, we just bought a csy44 for cruising. Right now we have the boat on the st. johns river that does not make me too nervous but when we get out on the ocean , I think sharks and get nervous. I am excited that we have moved from sailing on a lake to the ocean but I am going to have to get over some ocean shark fear. is there any women out there that have had this fear? I know I will get over it in a matter of time...any suggestions from the women sailors out there..thanks widget

Greetings Widget!..

As soon as you can substitute your fear of sharks with fear of running into (well, getting run over by) a freighter, you'll be like the rest of us

Seriously, though, based on your posting, I'd guess you are not a scuba diver - if you get certified and do a few fun dives, the sharks become part of nature like anything else in a hurry.

Have fun with the boat!

Sailndive

[Tropic Cat]

Originally Posted by sailvayu

This was taken off the stern while in my slip, I think I feel safer at sea lol

As was this one

[hugosalt]

sailvayu and Tropic cat...guys you might rethink your methods of taking widgets mind off sharks...that feeling your being watched
might be mr. widget looking for someone to feed to the local
marine life.
Widget, your right, you need to talk to some women sailors...
us men folk always manage to dig a deeper hole.

[Tropic Cat]

Actually, I'm requesting volunteers to clean my props..... interested?