First time sailing my small yacht in rough weather

Taking my sail boat out in 20knts of wind, new crew, making mistakes and thinking for myself.

[@mrangry01]

Love your enthusiasm and great that you are identifying where you could make improvements. Great videos

[@donnasailing]

@mrangry01 thank you so much!

[@Mister_G]

Well done! You got out and back and enjoyed yourself. As others have said, keep the traveller locked off in the middle to simplify things a little bit and take away the risk of it slamming across if things get out of sequence. It's easy to get flustered when the wind gets up, and the sails start flapping like mad (from experience!). You'd probably find it easier to tack with a small headsail (I know you haven't got roller reefing). Otherwise, the touch on the tiller can make a difference - too slow or too fast will stall you, but get it just right and you may be able to tickle the boat around. Thanks for the candid video - it's interesting to watch.

[@spudflap]

Well done, main thing is you looked like you enjoyed it, and that's the most important bit. -More speed into the tack. Bear away a little before you tack to pick up speed if necessary. Without any headsail your boats ability to windward is compromised, so don't try pinching her too tight. --With more boat speed you'll need less rudder angle which in turn helps maintain momentum into the tack. -Don't faff with the traveller, just lock it off in the middle. Get your boat's angle and momentum right and you should barely need to touch the mainsheet. And she will be more responsive and easier to control with some headsail. But well done.

[@donnasailing]

@spudflap this is really helpful, I would never have thought in a million years to bear away a little first but it makes so much sense. Having more speed and taking this way would be much quicker and easier. I'm just making life harder for myself with the traveller too. Can't thank you enough for taking the time to write this. Yes I was really enjoying it, more so than the nerves I was feeling. Got myself a really thin small jib now so hopefully that puts an end to the jib/strong wind fear I've had so far.

[@MartinPHunter]

It’s all about having fun. Good to push yourself in a safe way. Lack of boat speed when tacking and also on your mainsail drop caused the boat to stall and no water over the rudder (no steerage)

[@donnasailing]

@MartinPHunter thank you I did think the rudder had a little to do with it too. Really helpful comment 🙏

[@rgretheman6869]

Brilliant Donna 👏 fresh and raw.....haven't we all done some of this ???? Rock on 🎉😂

[@donnasailing]

@@rgretheman6869 thank you so much!!

[@SuperStormgames]

Looks like you had good fun and that's all that counts really. Build confidence and experience. I've done pretty much everything you did many times! :)

[@donnasailing]

@SuperStormgames thank you!

[@marksmeaton1470]

Well done Donna you have inspired me. I have just completed and passed the RYA Day Skipper theory. Thank You

[@donnasailing]

@@marksmeaton1470 well done! Enjoy the adventures it's the best thing ever!

[@timgeorge7150]

A bit worried is your cue to do something….. well done Donna , you’ll grow confidence and experience… we’ve ALL been here 😊❤

[@AnthonyParr-do5jk]

You are doing well it can be hard to tack with the main only you can always jibe if need be.

[@msf60khz]

Well done. With a hanked-on jib it is possible to have reef points in it, and you can also use a downhaul for getting it down from the cockpit.

[@donnasailing]

@msf60khz really? I had no idea! Is it something you can explain on this comment or could you point me in the direction of some kind of tutorial? Will have a look myself. My jib slides into a track rather than having the little metal hanks ( I didn't realise that the metal things are hanks and I just thought all jibs that don't furl were hanks until a couple of days ago).

[@msf60khz]

@@donnasailing I have not come across a jib sliding in a track, except for a roller jib.

[@donnasailing]

@@msf60khz me neither!

[@PaulMcEvoyGuitars]

I remember the first time I tried anchoring in a tight mooring field, I almost started crying. 3 weeks later I was anchoring in some dicey situation and I was fine.

[@grafos8896]

Well done Donna, keep going and it'll all be second nature soon. Keep skippering and you'll iron out your mistakes quicker with the eye of Matt or other crew along to help if needed. Nice one

[@donnasailing]

@grafos8896 thanks so much. Each time I go out I get a little bit better.

[@SailingEagleWings]

hello, thanks for sharing this. For a novice, you are doing OK. You ask for input. Well, everyone here is very nice to you, but my advice is to ask around in the harbour if there is someone that can help you with a few lessons (we all started there) Most sailors will help you there free of charge, it's a way of spreading the vitamine sea. If you swing the rudder that far, it doen't help you turn, but it takes the speed out of the boat. As someone else said, leave the traveler centered in the beginning and a little headsail would help too.

[@donnasailing]

@SailingEagleWings thank you so much. I totally agree, the thing is I've been sailing with a few very competent people but it's my confidence I have struggled with. I've noticed in the sailing community that people are so happy to coach and I appreciate that so much.

[@SailingEagleWings]

@@donnasailing you just have to find someone who teaches, and not only shows how to sail You will get there

[@Martin37vg]

Wonder if the lack of headsail did not help as it you let it back fill for a second it does help pust the bow around. .Looked good fun and great learnibg . I

[@donnasailing]

@Martin37vg absolutely you are totally right. I've got myself a little jib now so gonna try it tomorrow and see if it fits in Legal Action.

[@markgibbs7812]

Really cool to see you progressing. I'm heading out on Ullswater this weekend for some singlehanded practice - did you have a jib or genoa up? I think the headsail helps to push the boat round, certainly on the gaff rigged trad boats that i learned on it was common practice to leave the jib sheet cleated until the boat was almost fully though the tack. Look forward to more videos!

[@wynyardhandyman]

Try leaving the traveller fixed in the centre so you only have to manage the main sheet whilst you get the hang of tacking in strong winds.

[@DarrenHarvey-do9bd]

Met your dad and boyfriend yesterday during castles and islands 👍 keep up the good work

[@donnasailing]

@DarrenHarvey-do9bd yeah they said! Thanks so much for watching my video. Matt said you were one of the marshal's to hopefully you weren't out in that weather for too long. Hopefully see you around Amble at some point.

[@DarrenHarvey-do9bd]

@@donnasailing yes but this year I was only doing the first run as recovering from an operation so no all-nighter for me ;) it was a brilliant event and well ran 👍 you’ll have to put a team in for next year ;)

[@observer2172]

Suggestion: go out with someone experienced to coach you. I've had people "learn" sailing within a week.

[@vincentmiceli2554]

Good suggestion. I will add that st least become proficient in knowing how to Heave To and Reefing your sails

[@user-wz2qe2pv6r]

Roller reefing? Always have a bit of jib out in that type of wind.. just enough to get u round..Nice vid.

[@donnasailing]

@@user-wz2qe2pv6r I'm definitely considering a roller furling when funds allow. Really want to single hamd some day soon!

[@Ajojets]

Hi, Your doing great, it’s all a big learning challenge, it would tack a load better if you had a small head sail to pull her round with the effort in front of the rudder,but when you look at videos it’s so easy for armchair sailors to comment, you’re doing fine.

[@donnasailing]

@Ajojets I actually really appreciate the comments at this stage in my learning journey. I've actually managed to aquire a really small sail (not a storm sail) but I need to put a runner on it so it will go up the track I have in the forestay. Once I get that sorted I would feel more comfortable I think. Thank you so much!

[@pauldent7067]

As much Speed as you can before you tack, makes life easier.

[@Ajojets]

Sorry I should have said keel not rudder.

[@megaluckydog1212]

No offense but that ain't nothin'.

[@donnasailing]

@megaluckydog1212 none taken. I love watching people on here like Eric Anderaa and Patrick Lane so I know that trip out was not a big deal to most sailors. As someone who has really struggled with their confidence though, it was a huge deal to me and probably others who are learning still.