Re: Bernie's Bad Boat, or how not to sail a Potter.

Gordon (hlg@pacbell.net)
Fri, 18 Jun 1999 10:25:29 -0700


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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><< On one or two occasions, on a
> lake with fluky winds, I've been knocked over by a gust or windshift to
> what felt like at least 60 degrees >>
>
>Another point here, that Harry is probably so used to, he forgot to mention,
>is that you do not cleat the main sheet when the wind is blowing. If you're
>hand gets tired or sore holding the line, and you cannot keep it out of the
>cleat, you'd better keep the line in your hand so that you can release it
>immediately. If you are sailing and a gust hits that makes you feel
>uncomfortable, simply letting go of the sheet will immediately right the
>boat. Everything I've read about sailing the Potter refers to not letting it
>heel more than the 10-15 degrees Harry mentions. 10 degrees is plenty.
>
<snip>

>Geoff
>P-15 Lollipop
>N. Lake Tahoe, NV

Important point, Geoff.

I have a "headknocker" boom-mounted mainsheet cleat. If it is gusty I keep
the sheet in hand when it's cleated, and I can release it very quickly if a
strong gust hits, and I routinely do, heading up a little at the same time.

On the occasions I mentioned, I probably did uncleat the mainsheet as the
boat heeled. I only remember that I had to let go of the tiller because the
tiller and I had to go to opposite sides very quickly. I didn't have time
to release the jibsheet. My main was reefed, as I recall.

That was at Del Valle Reservoir, a beautiful, narrow lake in the hills near
Livermore. Both times I've sailed there it has scared the bejabbers out of
me because the brisk wind, funneling through various canyons, abruptly
changes velocity and direction as you move up the lake. I suppose those who
routinely sail in mountain lakes get used to such conditions.

Harry
P14 #234, Manatee
Mountain View, CA