Sailing/Snorkeling

navystandard

New Member
I am in the process of purchasing a Laser and had another newbie question. I know sailing is a joy in itself, but I also like snorkeling. How easy is it to bring down the sail once I found the right spot to dive? And to hop (plop) back in?

Thanks
Mike
 
In a laser you might struggle, you could unhook the sail from the boom but i would say it would be impossible to get it down on the water without asistance. You would be able to do it on a boat that had a halayad to hoist the sail rather than a mast sleeve.
 
I am in the process of purchasing a Laser and had another newbie question. I know sailing is a joy in itself, but I also like snorkeling. How easy is it to bring down the sail once I found the right spot to dive? And to hop (plop) back in?

Thanks
Mike

I love to snorkel too, and I'd like to hear how it goes when you try my suggestion. Don't take down the mast--you could damage the step. After you anchor, leave the sail attached to the outhaul with a bit of vang on to keep the sail from flailing. Then take the mainsheet off the boom so the sail can swing freely. Keep anything in the boat in a dry bag attached to the hiking strap. Then if it capsizes, no worries anyway. Just right it like ordinary, weigh anchor, and sail away. :)
 
Shipmates

Thanks for the ideas. Currently I am landlocked in Baghdad. I should be back this Sept, drive from IL to NJ to pick up my Laser, then bring her back to Lake Michigan. Then I should have a couple good months of sailing left. I have a few spots I used to kayak to and snorkeled for old anchors, railroad spikes, etc off of Lake Bluff. I'll report back and let you know how I faired. Thanks again.

Mike
 
Shipmates

Currently I am landlocked in Baghdad. I should be back this Sept,

Whoa! Welcome to the forum, Mike, and best of luck in that city. It has always puzzled me a bit, what does the Navy do in Iraq?

When you come home and snorkel, how deep is your lake? Is it very cold and, if so, do you need a wet suit? Most of the lakes in Ohio are too cloudy to snorkel in for fun, but there are a few good ones. A cousin and I went to one that where the owner had only divers and snorkelers and didn't allow fishing. There were some 7 foot fish in that little lake, either sturgeon or something related to them. They looked really prehistoric. I dove down to look at one pretty fish about the shape and size of a dinner plate and very green. It attacked me and bounced off my thigh! Good thing I was wearing a wet suit. It scared me, but the good kind of being scared. I looked it up in a fish guide when I got home. It was a bluegill, for pity's sake. The guide said they are the most aggressive of the sunfish. No kidding! My cousin who was with me, and also quite timid about the whole snorkeling thing, explained why. When she was a teenager she went skinny dipping with some friends and was attacked by a school of bluegills. She said it felt like bee stings!

If there's anything TLF can do for you, please let us know.
 
Merrily

Over the past few years the US Navy has been deploying individual Sailors for 6-18 months "mainly" in support roles, freeing up the Soldiers to rotate stateside to be relieved by fresh Soldiers. Mine is a great lake and gets pretty deep (900 or so feet) I am a big fan of Lake Michigan, great waves and after a good calm spell, nice clear water for snorkeling. Our season without a wetsuit is from Jun-Oct. I think Lake Erie cools down and warms up quicker than Lake Michigan. 7 feet? That would scare me pretty good. I know how your cousin felt about the blue gills, once in Palau I got cornered in a shallow coral reef by some pesky little
Territorial fish that pecked away at me, until I was brave enough to dart through them. Thanks for the TLF offer, I am good for now.

Mike
 
Mike,
Thank you for your service to this great country of ours. We all appreciate it greatly. Stay safe and hurry home.
Ralph
 
Thanks Ralph

It is a privilege to serve. Glad to do it. If I am here, a soldier can spend a few more months with his/her family. I'll be a tad bit gladder when I get back and retire quietly with 27 years of service, my laser (oh.. and my family).

Mike
 

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