Spring has finally come to Utah and now that I have moved here, I have begun to
sail on the Great Salt Lake. Had a great sail last week end and set out today
to join the GSLYC on a raft up out at one of the largest islands in the lake,
Antelope Island. The day started out to be bright and sunny with good winds
but listening to NOAA weather, found that there were high wind warnings up.
Got out to the marina and proceeded to rig up and launch. Got down the launch
ramp, and braked the truck and at that point the trailer jumped off the ball.
Fortunately, the chains held. Also, fortunately, the rig did not fall off
while on the freeway. Eased the trailer/boat back up the launch ramp and when
back up on the flat was able to lower the trailer jack and bring it all back up
and fix it securely back on the ball. Launched after that with no difficulty.
Headed out and had light to slightly gusty winds for a while and then heard
over the VHF that the wind line was coming in from the west
and was about 20 minutes from the marina. I had already begun to get hit by
the gusts which were pretty strong. At that point I decided to reef the main,
unfortunately, I had only inexperienced folks on the boat with me and they
couldn't hold the boat into the wind so I could reef and so I decided to just
take down the sails and motor back in. It was a good decision and we made it
back before the highest winds hit. I was warned that the weather could shift
out there in minutes and they were right. Also advised to have VHF and to keep
it on while out there. The rangers will give warnings of weather changes over
the VHF. Also, the rangers advise having GPS as if you get into trouble and
need assistance out on GSL, if you can give them your exact location they have
an easire time finding you. That would hold true where ever you are sailing.
Which to me is a good reason to have GPS. So, one important thing I learned
today is that I must get the jiffy reefing system rigged. I
think with that set up I might have been able to reef the main without having
to depend on someone else to hold the boat into the wind. Every sail is a new
learning experience!
Time for a cool change!
Sandra(Seawitch #617)
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