Sailing Away This Fall
Commodore B. J. Turk, 13 November 2004

I don't know about your part of the world, but autumn is very good sailing weather here in Arizona. For much of the summer, there aren't all that many breezy days, and when there are, they are often such high winds that sailing isn't a very good idea, especailly for sailors of misfortune. Now, though, the weather is cooler (Arizona summers can be very nearly brutal) and the breezes are moderate, making a nice day, or weekend, of sailing possible.

This past weekend was a case in point. Winds were 8-20 knots with few significant gusts, and temperatures topped out at about 75F. For most boats, the winds were more than adequate, and the temperatures were quite comfortable. Granted, many heavier boats demand a heavier breeze, but there aren't that many places in this state where a heavier boat could even go. Lake Mead, west of the Grand Canyon, is just about the only one, and that's so far away from the Phoenix metro area where I live that it almost doesn't count.



If your season has ended, as it is getting rather chilly and icy in some parts, then I am glad that you survived another season. During the off-season, go over your vessel carefully and repair what needs repairing and replace what can't be safely and effectively repaired. Just because you can't sail doesn't mean that you shouldn't take care of your boat like you can. Come next season, your life, or the life of someone else, could depend upon how well you care for your boat now. Take the time to chekc the sails, sheets, shrouds and hull carefully, just as you will in the spring when you're ready and able to sail again.

And if your season is just beginning, as it is below the Equator, do all of the same things. Take a thorough pre-season assessment of your craft from bow to stern, port to starboard, and do what needs doing. The most important thing about a good sailing season is that you survive it unharmed and that you can get your boat back to port every time. Do now what you need to do so that will happen all season long.



As for the development of the site, don't ask. Things have not gone well in the member module (there goes another Christmas shopping season), but I haven't given up...



Other Commodore's Log entries:

      Thankful (13 November 2005)
      Shorter Days, Longer Nights (13 October 2005)
      Summer's End (13 August 2005)
      Summer Sailing (13 July 2005)
      3rd Friday the 13th Status Report (13 May 2005)
      Ode to Spring (13 April 2005)
      The Misfortune Continues... (13 March 2005)

      Commodore's Log Archive (old stuff)


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