Siren 17 on Lake Erie - September 16, 2020

Lots of wind early, more than predicted, and coming more out of the West than predicted had the lake quite choppy for a 17 footer. I was expecting and wanted a little more relaxed sailing to have time to study and continue experimenting with the boat, so headed closer to shore. The wind fell off but picked back up again as the 5 hour sail progressed. Once all the changes and additions necessary for safe single-handed sailing have been made and tested I will feel more comfortable with accepting a higher wind and wave sailing challenge. Today I just wanted to sail. The Siren 17 is a tender vessel and can get knocked down easily under full sail, meaning that in winds above 10-15 mph one is constantly on guard with tiller and mainsheet to not progress beyond putting the rail in the water. Beyond that the helm is lost and only releasing the mainsheet brings the boat back under control. Anyone that has sailed on Lake Erie also knows how quickly conditions can change from comfortable to uncomfortable then to dangerous. Wave pitch is quite close making the ride for shorter boats uncomfortable at best, especially to windward. One is wise to bear this in mind, especially when alone.
Many years ago (45+?) the powered ocean racers came to Lake Erie for the first time. With flatwater, no wind, Wide F'ing Open conditions, they ridiculed Lake Erie as the "mud puddle". The next year there were strong NW winds as the race from Cleveland to Sandusky Bay started. Within the first 15 minutes there were two rescues via helicopter with one boat actually breaking up and sinking. Several additional rescues were made due to "equipment failure". We watched one rescue from our lake front home. Some boats/racers simply quit. The "mud puddle" moniker was lost and no more races were scheduled for Lake Erie. The television coverage afterwards had interviews with racers expressing awe at the damage inflicted on boats and the terribly rough and difficult water . Don't f' with Lake Erie; you can't judge the waves and swells as on the ocean(s) and deeper of the Great Lakes - no predictable pattern and quick to get "angry".

[@EB-xz1nq]

Good to see smaller sailboats on Erie videos! I had my Precision 18 out of Geneva this season it’s fun sailing 2-3 hours on one tack! I’ve since sold the P18 and have a gorgeous salty Montgomery 17 waiting for its first sea trials. I’ll probably keep it near Sandusky next spring-summer and cruise the bay/islands every chance I get.

[@RusinVanDyke]

Hi EB, it looks like the M17 should be much stiffer than the S17, and that is a good thing on Lake Erie if you want to sail in any wind. Good luck with her. Waiting for the weather to warm a bit so I can get the Tri in the water one more time this year. Rus.

[@vinnyzato]

hi resin thanks for the great video, I just got my DS-16 16'sailboat 2 months ago and new to sailing. learning with youtube videos lol I was happy to se your boat keel and sailing in high wind so I know that my boat could handle it too . have a great time sailing and looking forward to more videos cheers from Montreal Quebec

[@RusinVanDyke]

Hi, thank you. I looked at some pictures and information on the DS-16. It is nice looking, and seems like a capable boat. I would note that the entire boat is open to fill with water that enters the cockpit, and there are no self-balers on the stern in the pictures I saw, so be careful not to put the rail under. Have fun and pick the days when you can test and learn the boat without worrying about wind. Good luck!

[@RusinVanDyke]

Heh Vinny, My bad! I looked at a wrong picture posted as a DS-16. You have a cockpit similar to the Siren. You should not have an issue with water getting into the cabin and there is a cockpit drain port.

[@vinnyzato]

@@RusinVanDyke yes thanks for the reply I will still be carfull with the boat and try to not push my luck on windy days have a great time with your boat and looking forward to some more of your videos. happy sailing and stay safe

[@SheplerStudios]

Really enjoyed this, makes me want to go sailing again!

[@RusinVanDyke]

Hi Scott, thanks for making my filming have a real purpose. I purchased another boat - small trimaran with cabin. Still working on getting it delivered from Nevada. The Siren may be for sale if I like it better. This is the boat- smalltrimarans.com/blog/summer-sailing-in-a-trimaran-called-gypsy-wind/

[@rolandorfortunato456]

Congratulations awesome video and great sailing first time I have seen your KZbin channel from now on you a have a fan in Miami, Florida I'm in the process of looking for a siren 17 myself no luck yet but in the meantime I am learning a lot from videos like yours thank you

[@RusinVanDyke]

Thank you, Rolando. I am not putting up videos to make myself famous ... just thinking that someday someone might take heart in seeing them. Meanwhile they may serve to entertain or educate others, and I do have some friends that enjoy seeing them/me. Good luck finding a boat. I used to work at KSC as a Technical Trainer on the Shuttle program. I sailed a Hobie Cat 16 then. I just put up another video tonight. If I wasn't alone on the boat I could maybe get more creative while videoing, but I hope the simple format is useful to folks. Remember, I am still learning this boat myself. I am looking at a Astus 20.5, but the price is steep, and the exchange rate is terrible - and not much luck with getting one of those used in the States.

[@RusinVanDyke]

Heh Rolando, the Siren may be for sale if I like the new boat i bought. See above reply.

[@rolandorfortunato456]

@@RusinVanDyke ok thank you sir for Letting me know. If I may ask what year is your siren and what part of the country are you in. please let me know If you intend to sell it.

[@RusinVanDyke]

@@rolandorfortunato456 Hello Rolando. Lorain, Ohio. If I sell the Siren it will be in a month or two. 1984. Good trailer. I will do a complete video inside/out if I adverstise. I will let you know first unless someone local shows interest. Rus.

[@RusinVanDyke]

Hi Rolando, let me know if you are still interested in my Siren. I have my new boat but have not sailed it yet. I am in Lorain, Ohio.

[@claudebourgeois2283]

Nice video! Thanks for sharing.

[@RusinVanDyke]

Thanks for watching, Claude.

[@rolandorfortunato456]

You are very welcome sir I am going to watch your new video now. I currently sail a 1982 hobie 16 but even though it's a lot of fun I want to buy a sailboat with a cabin and from everything I have seen and read the siren 17 is the perfect sailboat for me let me know if you decide to sell yours.

[@stuarthall3874]

Any luck finding one? I had one for a few years, gave it to my brother. He's in Maine now and I'm not sure if he is interested in keeping it.

[@rolandorfortunato456]

@@stuarthall3874 no sir I am still looking

[@sailingeden9866]

Is that humming sound coming from the keel cable?

[@RusinVanDyke]

Yes, I think I have a solution -- don't leave any tension on the cable when the keel is lowered. That allows it to vibrate against the cable pivot "stop" located at the top below the winch; just inside the cockpit drain hole.

[@MikeDriscoll-t1g]

Did you hear me yelling at you from 2023? Hove to and reef the main sail! you need the practice everyone does.

[@RusinVanDyke]

Nope, didn't hear a thing. Sold this boat - I now own a trimaran.

[@kimmccullough6802]

I'm thinking reefing first for your saftey and taking care of your boat might be more important than taping your anxiety.

[@RusinVanDyke]

Ha Ha! Anxiety? Because I made a statement that I should put the camera down and do just as you said? My objective was to show how the boat handles tight to a higher wind and gusts when single-handed. I simply fell off and sheeted out after shutting off the camera. Simple. Maube I should have filmed that too? No, I needed both hands. I am not a professional videographer - no mounts, nothing fancy; just some shots that may be educational or entertaining. There are lots of other videos to watch- go find them.

[@piperlong544]

Hey I have a Freedom 21 catboat in Cleveland Ohio / Lake Erie. I am assuming that is where you were sailing?

[@RusinVanDyke]

Hi, I am located in Lorain, Ohio, and sail out of the Polish Fisherman's Club launch behind the water treatment plant, or the launch in Sheffield Lake, Ohio. Both are within 2 to 3 miles and free. The sailing in this video is outside and inside the Lorain Harbor. Rus.