SFS 180 degree turn Vimeo

[@jeffdege4786]

I've read your books, watched your videos, used your techniques on other people's boats with great success, then bought a boat they don't work on. She's a Vaitses/Herreshoff Meadow Lark, 37' long, 8' beam, 20" draft, with a long and shallow keel. Her single prop is laid alongside her keel, which blocks her propwalk. And she has leeboards, which fly out like brakes when trying to reverse. Oh, well. I may figure out how to maneuver her under power in close spaces, someday. In the mean time, I'm taking the advice of another Meadow Lark owner - I shut off the engine and pole her around the slips. Nothing works for all boats.

[@StressFreeSailing]

Poling her round might be the way to go!

[@lubberwalker]

An unbelievable coincidence or your fame is preceding you...... I met a Scottish couple on the London to Horsham train today who noticed my perplexed expression caused by my skippers handbook description of working out a layline. Maybe I was holding it upside down. It turned out they were on there way back up north via Gatwick airport and were owners of two yachts, both long keelers, pending sale of their older boat. During our enjoyable (well to me) conversation, where their oceanic experiences paled mine into poor relation territory, they mentioned the sluggish close maneuverability of their new 45 foot long keeler. Just last night I'd stumbled upon you and your 180 degree turn video (well about 2 this AM) and was trying to recall your name when the chap pressed on and mentioned he'd just bought a book called "stress free sailing" but couldn't remember the author. Now that's either very spooky or you're not being paid enough for your fame-level and selfie/autograph hunters will shortly ensue. I suggested that they may find your 180 degree video with a youtube search for the same title. The plan is that they will then see this comment and contact me via a responding comment, to invite me on a leg of their next international adventure. Perhaps the Baltics!? Meanwhile, I'll keep a lookout in Horsham's charity shops for a first edition copy of SFS. Obviously this will be more valuable.

[@StressFreeSailing]

Haha. Much enjoyed. I wouldn't hold out any hope of a First Edition becoming valuable. But I can tell you that the Second Edition is coming out next year!

[@lubberwalker]

@@StressFreeSailing Actually, I was forced to buy it in the end Duncan. Real money. Directly to your wallet. Well.... The bit left after, tax and various publisher slices. Stop press: this bit was meant to be me saying that the Scots couple had spotted my comment and a passage crewing invitation ensued as hoped for..... But it didn't. I live hope though.