First sail ever and last sail of the year

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Living_Stranger_5602@reddit

So you bought the boat on Beaver Island? And you are hauling out in Muskegon? Glad it went ok.

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Necessary_Salad_69@reddit (OP)

Correct, highly recommend Torressons marine for any repairs they were awesome

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Funny that you bought a boat on beaver island. Don’t they get much traffic there(?!). I just bought one in harbor springs. Curious if it was in the water or on the hard for the last 20 years? Where you keeping it?

I intend to keep mine in Northport and am looking forward to visiting Beaver Island in the future.

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Necessary_Salad_69@reddit (OP)

I own some land on beaver island so it made it a bit easier. The previous owners had it on the hard for a year and I got a good deal so I couldn’t pass it up. I’m on a waiting list to keep it at Washington park marina in Michigan city. (I live in Indiana so I’m trying to keep it as far south as possible) I highly recommend beaver island for a voyage, the island is mostly walkable/bikeable. Small and peaceful. Just be warned the flies are bad at the marina. What boat did you pick up?

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Living_Stranger_5602@reddit

Will you summer it at Beaver Island? Lots more day trips up north. Southern Lake Michigan is… meh. Lot of Chicago boats spend the winter in Muskegon.

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Necessary_Salad_69@reddit (OP)

I don’t think I’ll ever keep it at beaver island full time. The logistics are just too hard to get the boat sometimes. I agree northern Michigan is a lot more fun

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Living_Stranger_5602@reddit

I’m curious, did you think the trip to Muskegon was longer/shorter and harder/easier than anticipated? Or were you prepared for a 5-6 knot speed?

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Necessary_Salad_69@reddit (OP)

If I’m being honest, it was harder than I thought and it took an extra day. But for being my first time ever on a sailboat, I tried not to let anything negative get me upset. All said and done, I haven’t been that proud of myself in a long time. Most people told me that I was an idiot for buying a boat so far away and learning how to sail it back on the fly. But most of those people don’t have any good stories to tell

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theheliumkid@reddit

Good for you! What a blast, and what a rebuttal to all the nay-sayers!

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Living_Stranger_5602@reddit

I got a 2001 J 105.

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bright_yellow_vest@reddit

How long did that voyage take?

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Necessary_Salad_69@reddit (OP)

I went from beaver island > Leland > portage lake > Manistee > pentwater >Muskegon. Each leg of the trip took about 10-12 hours on the water. I had to chop it up over 2 separate long weekends because I left it in Muskegon for some repairs and an inspection. I motored until portage lake and sailed the rest of the way. Total time actually sailing/motoring was probably around 50/hrs give or take. This was my first time stepping foot on a sailboat and I honestly just learned everything on the fly. Hard as hell but what an adventure

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Mehfisto666@reddit

Nice! Had a similar start just last may! Just curious though why do you have the main sail down here?

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Necessary_Salad_69@reddit (OP)

The east side of the lake was awesome to hop around on. My original plan was to motor the entire way based on the fact that I’ve never stepped on a sailboat. After being on the boat for a day or two, I got confident enough to unfurl the jib. Still wish I would’ve at least tried to put up the main, but it was still an excellent trip

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LameBMX@reddit

I wouldn't worry too much about it. couple newbs I have had out. i started jib only intentionally. you see so many pics and vids of boats under both sails, wanted to break that thinking that both sails are needed. once their anxiousness to get the main up chilled and they settled into jib only, then brought up the main lol.

main only also works.

just get someone that's comfy with sailing your boat or similar before going at a object. thats another thing my current boats PO did with me that I pass along. there is always a point way far away that people get really nervous about hitting something. it's normally far enough away their brain tires of being scared of hitting the object lol. and even then, there is often still a ton of room before you have to maneuver. better to let that fear control you until you can find someone with some miles or a situation and conditions you are comfy it can be done safe (like a fender on a small anchor in steady winds).

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Necessary_Salad_69@reddit (OP)

I was pretty surprised with the speed under jib only, got her up to 7 Kntsat one point and mainted 5-6. It was a dream to single hand. I’m excited to learn some more next season. Thanks for the advice, I’m new and willing to intake any words of wisdom!

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LameBMX@reddit

don't be too eager to get seasoned. but also push your capabilities. try different ways to do things. as the conditions change, so will the way you have to do things. find a good race boat to crew on, doesn't have to be winning, but learn sail shape, balance how amd when to fiddle with all the various stuff on or controlling the sails. even if you just want to bop about, good sail shape helps the sails last longer, and tiny increases in speed really chops the time off of journeys.

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Necessary_Salad_69@reddit (OP)

She needs a little spit shine and elbow grease, but I’m happy with her.

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Living_Stranger_5602@reddit

Baby steps…