I'm not a fishing or clamming guy, so I've never had reason to pay attention to tides. Recently, I took my newbie self off the lake and into the "big blue." Ok, not the real big blue.. more like puget sound, which is a pretty sheltered area that usually isn't full of big swells or breaks.
First time out I capsized four times. It seemed much different that on the lake. I even found myself wondering if the increased buoyancy from the salt water made the boat more unstable. I later found my boat was taking on copious amounts of water through the gunwales.
Now, I think I sealed a majority of the leaks. Yet, I still ended up capsizing once and having some close calls. I also had a bit of an ordeal getting back to my starting point. I didn't have wind at first and lazily, I thought, just drifted along. Pretty soon I'd gotten a bit away from where I started and tried in earnest to get back. As hard as I sailed I wasn't making any headway. It was later pointed out that the tide was coming in and wood and other objects thrown in the water where moving at a brisk walk. That with the combination of sailing upwind had me held in place. Realizing I needed to learn more about tides and currents in sailing, I also realized it must also play a roll in boat stability.
I white water kayak a bit and know the importance of river reading and knowing which way to brace against a current. With that in mind I imagine the dagger board catching a current going say ... east, while the wind is blowing west.. and it seems like it's the type thing that would throw you in a spin cycle. So, anyone have any tips or stories that might impart a little first hand knowledge?
First time out I capsized four times. It seemed much different that on the lake. I even found myself wondering if the increased buoyancy from the salt water made the boat more unstable. I later found my boat was taking on copious amounts of water through the gunwales.
Now, I think I sealed a majority of the leaks. Yet, I still ended up capsizing once and having some close calls. I also had a bit of an ordeal getting back to my starting point. I didn't have wind at first and lazily, I thought, just drifted along. Pretty soon I'd gotten a bit away from where I started and tried in earnest to get back. As hard as I sailed I wasn't making any headway. It was later pointed out that the tide was coming in and wood and other objects thrown in the water where moving at a brisk walk. That with the combination of sailing upwind had me held in place. Realizing I needed to learn more about tides and currents in sailing, I also realized it must also play a roll in boat stability.
I white water kayak a bit and know the importance of river reading and knowing which way to brace against a current. With that in mind I imagine the dagger board catching a current going say ... east, while the wind is blowing west.. and it seems like it's the type thing that would throw you in a spin cycle. So, anyone have any tips or stories that might impart a little first hand knowledge?
