My O’Day 22 Sailboat Blog

Yesterday my friend Andre came down from Santa Barbara to sail the O’Day. He has never been sailing before but has been an active kayaker and enjoys being in the ocean. We launched the boat around 10:30 AM oon a beautiful Saturday. I had been worried that the fog from the day before might tick around but by the time we got to the launch ramp, it was clear that it was a perfect day for a sail.

I’ve gottne pretty good at launching the boat having done it about 5 times or so. Last week I launched and retrieved solo with no problems. It is all about having a routine and following the steps. Especially when you have a homemade contraption of a tongue extension like mine.

The tide was a little low but we had plenty of ramp to get her afloat. She backed off the trailer easily and I parked the trailer and car and got her out quickly. We hoisted the main sail at the dock and motored off towards the harbor entrance. The wind was fairly light at about 7 knots gusting to maybe 10. There was a fairly good sized swell in the water and the way Ventura harbor is setup, the entrance tends to get pretty lumpy. As usual, I take them on at about 45 degrees as to minimized the bottom of the hull pounding. Once we got out far enough I gave the tiller to Andre and hoisted the 110% jib. Being first time sailing Andre caught on pretty quick. I gave him a crash course on sailing terminology and basic techniques and he learned as we sailed along in the breeze.

First time sailing and already looking like a pro

We quickly got moving in the moderate wind at around 4 knots of VOG at the close reach course. Occasionally we topped out at 5 knots which was pretty good given the conditions. I could probably do even better if I swapped out the old 110 jib with my newer 150% Genoa. Ever since it nearly dragged me towards the rocks in side the harbor the first time around, I haven’t hoisted the genoa back up. I figure it is better to get use to the boat under more manageable conditions before I max out on the sail area.

Close reaching at about 4 and a half knots. That’s the Mandalay Power Station in Oxnard off in the distance where the horizon and the backstay intersects

New main sail with the old 110% jib. Nicely trimmed although the jib is pretty stretched out

Andre at the helm heeling at about 10 degrees.

We sailed for awhile near the harbor entrance. Once we got use to the setup we started sailing towards Ventura Pier. On the way I lost my straw hat in the water and it must have taken us 10 tries to retrieve it using the boat hook. Luckily it floats. This impromptu man-over-board drill was a resounding failure as if it was a person he/she probably would have drowned. In no time we got just outside of the pier with tourists gazing in envy from the end railings. We tacked around and headed back the other direction as the wind picked up slightly and got up over 5 knots from time to time.

The new main sail in action

The pier off in the distance on the starboard side

Another boat off to port enjoying the afternoon

Nice sunny Saturday afternoon in the waters off of Ventura pier

Time flew by quickly as we soon noticed it is already after 2 PM. We radioed the dockmaster and got a lunch slip by the restaurants in the Ventura harbor and met a friend for the best fish and chips in town at Andria’s. After lunch we motored around the harbor and marveled at the gynormous yachts in the marinas before putting the boat back on the trailer.

It was one of the nicest days in awhile and definitely the warmest day so far this year. I think Andre was bitten pretty hard by the sailing bug on his first sail. I bet there will be no time before he starts looking at boats on craigslist. Until then, there are plenty more sunny and fair-wind days left this season and he’s always a welcomed crew …..

Here we are discussing the joy of sailing…