Sailboat Projects – Luxuries Onboard
Sailboat Projects – Handling Sails the Easy Way
At the moment, we have three healthy arms between our crew. As I happen to be in possession of two of those arms, the duties requiring brute force naturally fall on me. So I do all the sail handling, going on deck, jumping onto the dock. Unfortunately, I missed out big time when qualities like coordination, agility and sophistication were being dealt. I fumble through these duties as well as I can, painfully aware that I’m not the smooth, well balanced, cat-like creature I’d like to be.
Sailboat Projects – Well Begun is Half Done!
Actually, in Finland the saying goes “Well planned is half done”. As our boat is currently covered in ice and snow, there isn’t much work we can begin – but we sure can plan. As it happens, I’m very good at planning. So good in fact, that I have turned it into a way of making a living – I prefer not to talk about a career, because careers are something that successful and ambitious people have, and I’m just an ordinary person who likes to make plans. I like it so much I hardly ever stop planning. Sometimes I even make plans while sleeping, which is the best way of putting that time into some use, if you ask me.
Sea, Horses and Seahorses
Having been a horse girl all my life – since before I have any memory of anything at all – I realized the other day that sailing and horses have many things in common. Perhaps the similarities are the reason why I was hooked on sailing in the first place, on a somewhat subconscious level.
Of Sailing Dreams and Unicorns
For as long as I can remember I have loved the sea.
Just add water
The way back home
It actually felt good to be heading home. Don’t get me wrong – it’s a great way of life to wake up in a boat, breath in the fresh air and enjoy the vast and ever changing landscape around you, go wherever the wind will take you, find an anchorage and watch the sunset that is never the same two nights in a row.
Two Faces of Iron Island – Destinations in the Finnish Archipelago
It’s exciting to arrive at a new place in the middle of the night, not knowing what you will see as you wake up the next morning. We had arrived on an island called Jussarö, in the archipelago of southern Finland, about 50 NM west of Helsinki. It was raining, and the whole landscape around us was like a grey watercolour painting. On our morning walk, we found a café, a sauna, a small passenger ferry tied up to its pier, all locked up and abandoned for the winter to come. We were still on our summer holiday, but it sure didn’t feel like it anymore! But we seemed to have this large island all to ourselves, so we might as well make the most of it!
Midnight Sail across the Gulf of Finland
After the westerly storm had blown over Haapsalu the weather forecast showed a 12 hour window of no wind at all. Then it would start blowing heavily from the opposite direction. This was our best chance to leave, so we set off in the morning of August the 28th. The sea was calm, so we motored on. Many times along the way we would check the weather, each time getting a different forecast for the not-so-much wanted wind to pick up. I know, we have a sailboat and sailboats are meant to sail. They need wind to do that, but too much wind is not that nice in my Beginner’s Book of Sailing. Particularly if it catches you in the open sea. I felt like I had experienced enough strong winds for one holiday. I had nothing against a moderate wind, but as it was not on the menu, I didn’t really mind motoring in the dead calm.
Afraid of capsizing, sailor?
When I set foot on a sailboat for the first time, it was a calm, sunny day. The sea was perfectly flat, and a light, warm breeze made the boat move ever so slowly under sail. I swallowed the bait and was hooked on sailing from the very first minute.
Wandering in History
It was already the last week of August when we arrived in Haapsalu, but the place still seemed busy with tourists. The weather was warm and sunny. This beautiful old town was full of people sitting on the streetside terraces, cafes and restaurants, walking along the waterfront in the shady parks, visiting the old castle and enjoying the town’s many spas.
Next stop: Haapsalu, Estonian mainland
I must admit I felt a bit nervous as we headed out to the open sea from our safe haven in Hiiumaa. The wind was blowing and the waves were high, again, but this time they were behind us. What a difference it will make! No rocking or bucking, just gentle swaying of the boat’s rear end as she slid down the big waves. We were making excellent speed with just our smaller headsail, travelling southeast into a wide strait between Hiiumaa and Vormsi.
Sea, Surf and Ancient Lighthouses
Can you imagine what seafaring was like in the the year 1500? Columbus had only recently discovered America. The European colonial empires were in their infancy. The Baltic waters were busy with merchant ships of the Hanseatic League, sailing between the numerous Hansa cities along the coast.
Now It’s Official – Summer’s Gone!
Such a sad, wretched sight – a sailboat out of the water!
Sailing as it should be – and shouldn’t!
If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many does a video count for? I put together a little sailing video, hoping to show some of the joy and excitement of being carried by the wind, moving fast along the water.
To Tallinn – with the following seas
The wind forecast showed slightly lighter winds for a very brief moment on Thursday morning. We had been stuck in Viinistu for three nights, but finally, just after 5 a.m. we managed to sneak out of the harbour and into the blue. As soon as we were a safe distance from the rocky shore we hoisted the genoa and headed towards the west. The wind was behind us, and so were the seas – the famous following seas, that you so often hear sailors wishing for each other. Well, it may be nicer having them follow you rather than come straight at you, but with a very short and extremely wide beamed boat I’d rather take the waves sideways, thank you! Our little lady sailed very well, like she always does, but she kept wagging her tail with every wave coming from behind. And the waves were big! Still, we enjoyed every moment, and never felt any fear or uneasiness, even though sitting on top of a big wave looking down to the bottom of the next one almost made us feel queasy!
Like a fish out of water
We had only completed the first leg of our journey, and already we found ourselves stuck in a marina because of bad weather. I know these things happen all the time when you’re cruising, but seriously – in the first port of call?!
Step on a foreign shore
The journey has begun!
On August 15th, a beautiful Monday, it was finally time to cast the lines and head off into the blue! We had motored west from our home marina the previous day in no wind at all. But at first light on Monday morning there was a steady breeze from the west, meaning a good beam reach – the kind of wind our boat loves the best. And so we were on our way – heading south!
Countdown to summer sail
For most Finns the summer is now as good as over. July is the holiday month and now kids are going back to school and adults to work. But we still have our summer holidays to look forward to, and in just a few days we’ll begin our first longer journey on our own sailboat.