re: Anyone here sail?

I've found over the years that nothing teaches you sailing nearly as well as sailing.

lol


As for the irons of august in NW LA, you ain't kidding. That's when sailboats become swim platforms with a ready made swing. Right up till one of those afternoon storms pops up right on top of you out of nowhere and blows your shite up.

You kinda have to get stupid to challenge yourself up here. We sailed either Ike or Rita on Cross Lake. LOL I mean, why not? It was almost tropical storm speed at it's worst and the waves are only gonna get so big and if it's southerly... get some. Started with just a reefed main in the Catalina and once we got the hang of it we went up with the 110 and rail meat on each sheet. If you're quick, everything is battened down and everyone knows what they're doing and has on life jackets, you can get away with it because while you're shipping green water of all things at times, it's not anything like out on big water. If you get scared, drop sails, anchor if possible, motor if not. You'll probably live.

That's another point... Never underestimate the value of good ground tackle and chain. And tune it to where you're sailing. On Cross Lake in Shreveport I swear by a 18 lb river anchor. I've got two danforth backups but if I get that river anchor down, that bitch ain't going nowhere. I've drug the danforths more than a few times.

Nothing worse than that feeling of realizing your anchor is not holding.