Fellow Tribers,
The recent discussion regarding watertribe self-rescues has brought once again to the forefront of all of our minds the fact that a series of unfortunate events can and will happen to anyone in any class at any time on the water. What can make the difference is how prepared you are and specifically how much you have practiced the skills you'll be called on to use. This can mean many things in many situations but for Class 3,4,5 (particularly 4 and 5 due to their size) one big one is, of course, capsize recovery.
Being a Tribe of mostly like-minded individuals an essential way we can work toward incremental self-improvement is through shared knowledge.
It is with this essential idea in mind that I propose and announce an official gathering of Tribers to facilitate said self-improvement through shared knowledge to be held the weekend of July 20-22 this year at B&B Yacht Designs waterfront shop in Eastern North Carolina. The goal of the gathering will be to disseminate as much knowledge and information related to watertribe skills as we can with a focus on the particular challenges of Class 3, 4 and 5 boats. All watertribers in any class are welcome!
Topics and skills practice will include things such as:
-Securing gear and Stowage, how does my system stack up?
-Reefing on the water, can I improve my system?
-Knots, when and how to tie them.
-Capsize recovery. Do it now!
-Re-boarding your boat, I hope I can!
-Will my boat go turtle? A great time to try it with a full load.
-What does it take for me to self-rescue? and CAN I DO IT?
-What makes a boat "ship shape" and why does it matter?
-Navigation
-Sailing Tactics
-Shallow water sailing
-Proper securing of boats at the dock
-Sailing into a dock (who doesn't need practice with that?)
We'd like folks to bring their boats (Class 4 boats particularly) and full EC expedition load for a weekend of camping at our shop with day sailing in the Bay River and focus on the stuff that you don't usually get to focus on when you take time out of your busy schedule to go out for a sail. We want this to be the time where you WANT to capsize the boat and self-rescue. Kayaks have the advantage of being able to do it dozens of times in a paddling session using an Eskimo roll but sailors typically try to avoid capsize and anytime you don't practice something you forget how it works. This is also a perfect opportunity for anyone who is not sure of themselves on a sailboat to practice capsize in small boats in controlled conditions. Bring the little ones and get them comfortable on the boat KNOWING you are going to capsize and it will be OK.
We have lots of grassy land for comfortable tent camping, a 100' dock and boat ramp in a normally sheltered cove on the Bay River at our workshop. Dogs are welcome but they'll have to pass the "sniff test" with the ones who own the place (our dogs).
Here is a picture of Graham back in the day doing some capsize testing of his Core Sound 17 off the bank at the shop around the time he first entered the Everglades Challenge. We want to see everyone doing this close to shore and getting to know their boats better and getting WET! JOIN US.
