Catalina Crusin' part2
David & chardy Lang (chrdvd@gte.net)
Thu, 15 Jul 1999 18:00:51 -0700
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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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So there Bob was with a friend of his as crew balancing down the middle
of the boat pulling sails,rigging and mast out of the water. I heaved to so
I could stay close by, drifting down, sailing up, drifting down again, and
watched a truly incredible act of seamanship and craftiness. They actually
raised the mast, jerry rigged a couple of parts they needed, put up the
sails, and were on there way again. All in 15+ knot winds and a very rocky
sea. Total time about an hour and a half. A 35ish foot sailboat came by and
asked them if they needed help. I didn't here what was said but I am
guessing he said everything was under control. A potter 15 looks very small
and vulnerable out there with no mast. I am sure that sailor was impressed.
I know Bob was very appreciative of the fact he had brought his buddy along
to help him, but he was pretty confidant he could have done it alone also.
You might be wondering why we didn't raise each other on the radio but I
think that was the last thing on his mind at the time. He was to busy to
think about it. So, were off again, Bob now sailing under a working jib also
to keep the strain off the rigging. The wind still blowing hard and its now
approaching late afternoon. Bob again pulls out in front until he gains
about a mile on me. I dont know how far we drifted in that hour and a half
but I can see we are not going to make the Isthmus so I tack again, now
getting some serious spray in my face. Pretty soon I see Bob doing the same.
After about 1/2 hour and approaching 6pm I decide I am heading for the
island no matter where I end up. I am getting cold from the spray and tired
by now, so I head for the island once again. bob keeps on his tack for
another 20 minutes or so but the wind turns in my favor and am able to hold
a much higher course so bob and I end up the same distance from the Island
even though a mile or so apart. As we get closer to the Island I am able to
raise Eric on the radio, Sitting nicely on the tie line at the Isthmus. He
couldn't believe what happened. He had arrived about 5ish with the other
p19's arriving a little after 3. I am not sure when Mike Brownlee arrived
but he could really sail that boat and pulled away from both Bob and I. I
couldn't wait to get in by now. It had been more than eleven hours since we
left San Pedro. The wind started dying about 2 miles out from the island.
put my sails up and started to motor in when about a mile out the wind
really kicked up and I had to motor straight into the wind. It was very
strange. I got completely drenched by the time I got in to the tieline. Boy
was I glad to be there. I was sore and scratched up a bit and very very
tired. I saw Michael Brown as I sailed by the dock. When I told him what
happened he was pretty amased . I think everyone was a little concerned
about us.
More later, Dave