"Significant Other" level of expertise
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 2:41 pm
Anyone else curious how proficient and successful other rigging teams are?, please select the best description of your rigging/takedown partner
Paul
MacGregorSailors.com
Discussions relating to the MacGregor line of trailerable sailboats
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"Significant Other" level of expertise
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Not really sure yet ...
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 3:19 pm
We take delivery of our Mac tomorrow so I can't really say how good (or interested) the admiral is going be at rigging. We have had a power boat for 12 years and she is well beyond the "hold the ropes" stage. She was the driving force behind the switch to sail so I have high hopes for the future.
Paul
Paul
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 5:18 pm
I was going to check option #1, but I decided to ask the admiral what she thought. She thanked me, but thinks I must be lost in thought with someone else. She really does well, but I had to check off "gentle verbal discussion.
Ray
Ray
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 9:39 pm
It could be too dangerous to reply to this one 
Actually, my wife is as green as I am, but there's no category for that one. However, she was equally adament on taking the basic power squadron with me (and although I was glad she scored well, I'm also glad she didn't beat me
). She's okay with driving the truck/trailer up after launching, but I think backing down the ramp will be a looong ways away. Once I get more comfortable with docking & MOBs, she needs/wants to take them on too.
Actually, Ray at BWY wisely got her to the helm before me, something about she shouldn't have to do all the work... let 'him' do that as he pointed me towards the lines
. One of the first things he got her to do was a full 360 under sail in light winds, just to put her mind at ease that the boat would stay upright. I know I wouldn't be confident enough to start us out that way!
Regards,
Shane
Actually, my wife is as green as I am, but there's no category for that one. However, she was equally adament on taking the basic power squadron with me (and although I was glad she scored well, I'm also glad she didn't beat me
). She's okay with driving the truck/trailer up after launching, but I think backing down the ramp will be a looong ways away. Once I get more comfortable with docking & MOBs, she needs/wants to take them on too. Actually, Ray at BWY wisely got her to the helm before me, something about she shouldn't have to do all the work... let 'him' do that as he pointed me towards the lines
. One of the first things he got her to do was a full 360 under sail in light winds, just to put her mind at ease that the boat would stay upright. I know I wouldn't be confident enough to start us out that way!Regards,
Shane
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 2:34 am
Where's the "shes perfect" button????
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:56 am
OK Steph.... you're killing me already 
My admiral is a great mother, wonderful wife etc, but not at all interested in helping with many things that she feels are ....... mans work.
I would love it if she were more interested and helpful that way, but I have learned to be happy with what you have, not what you wish you had.
G
My admiral is a great mother, wonderful wife etc, but not at all interested in helping with many things that she feels are ....... mans work.
I would love it if she were more interested and helpful that way, but I have learned to be happy with what you have, not what you wish you had.
G
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:48 am
Since I'm the "significant other" I chose the second one.....although I cant splice....I dont have my own shop...(share it with Jim)...I could step and rig the mast alone...never have to...can hook up and unhook trailer (used to haul racehorses)...
there really wasnt one for the partner who does half the work...we do it together...(now that we are in our 60's it''s better together than pulling muscles) but he's the real mechanic so does all the flat tires...oil changes...etc...I'm the gofer when we are in that stage.
there really wasnt one for the partner who does half the work...we do it together...(now that we are in our 60's it''s better together than pulling muscles) but he's the real mechanic so does all the flat tires...oil changes...etc...I'm the gofer when we are in that stage.
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:49 am
oh....we step and unstep the mast on the water...at anchor...so far..I've only dropped one pin overboard...
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:54 am
Since Jim takes care of the vehicles before going to a car show...I get the boat ready....cleaned out..clothes packed...fridge & cooler stocked...water loaded...he usually just backs up and hooks on...so if anything is missing its my fault.....but I am usually in the boat everyday...just because...
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 10:52 am
For people who trailer sail, the biggest help I can get is a break from driving the rig for a bit - the Admiral is good about this and can drive our towing rig (VW Eurovan and 2002 
) on the highway (still a bit timid about city driving)...she will drive all of I90 and the I495 extension down to the Cape, and then pass me the wheel for the narrow bridge onto Falmouth....the Bourne bridge gives you about 9 inches a side clearance which scares me driving it too....
) on the highway (still a bit timid about city driving)...she will drive all of I90 and the I495 extension down to the Cape, and then pass me the wheel for the narrow bridge onto Falmouth....the Bourne bridge gives you about 9 inches a side clearance which scares me driving it too....Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 1:40 pm
I had my significant other order the book written by Suzanne at this site:
http://www.libertysails.com/
The book is called "It's Your Boat too", very insightfull and well written easy reading. Get it for your significant other and perhaps she will take a greater interest in the boat after reading it. My significant other is the only crew I have and she can hold her own once the boat is rigged but needs to work at set up a bit. I consider myself fortunate that she enjoys being out there as much or more than me.
http://www.libertysails.com/
The book is called "It's Your Boat too", very insightfull and well written easy reading. Get it for your significant other and perhaps she will take a greater interest in the boat after reading it. My significant other is the only crew I have and she can hold her own once the boat is rigged but needs to work at set up a bit. I consider myself fortunate that she enjoys being out there as much or more than me.
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 1:43 pm
We got the Admiral "If the SHoe Fits" for Christmas and it was a real hoot - she really liked it....a story of a later-in-life Admiral who gets caught up in her newfound partners sailing hobby and her experience with that...
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 7:01 am
Idle,
hmmmm, I guess most of us consider you the primary master of the vessel....... not just "admiral" Based on your travel experience in your postings.
hmmmm, I guess most of us consider you the primary master of the vessel....... not just "admiral" Based on your travel experience in your postings.
Lucker than most
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:55 pm
The Admiral can sail well perhaps better than me, but she tends to hog the helm 
. With the exception of hefting the mast and backing the trailer there isn’t anything she cannot do.
Once when the Hobie blew off shore with no one on board (because I forgot to tie it)
She took a windsurfer out caught the boat, retrieved it, lashed the board on then sailed back with both.
Any woman who can hard enough to pitch-pole a Hobie with two guys trapping (rail meat) then right it without any problem it is definitely a keeper.
. With the exception of hefting the mast and backing the trailer there isn’t anything she cannot do. Once when the Hobie blew off shore with no one on board (because I forgot to tie it)
She took a windsurfer out caught the boat, retrieved it, lashed the board on then sailed back with both. Any woman who can hard enough to pitch-pole a Hobie with two guys trapping (rail meat) then right it without any problem it is definitely a keeper.
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:11 pm
At our sailing club, there are a few hundred families and I have come to the conclusion that most of the wives are there for the social aspects and if disaster happened, they would not be someone to count on. The men, for the most part are the sailors with cool Hawaiian shirts.
My wife, while she screams occassionally when the boat heels (I have permanent hearing damage), has tried hard to learn the ropes, has taken sailing lessons, and if disaster happened, I would feel comfortable that she would get the job done. She might have to beach the boat instead of docking in a slip, but we could get back to help if something terrible happened.
Last sailing season, we were enjoying the best sailing day of the season, I was locked into a groove with 15 mph winds, heeled and smoking across the lake daydreaming that if International Sailing scouts were watching Lake Cheney, thay would surely be thinking that I was the answer for the USA to capture "the cup." OK, I was dislusional, I admit it. (ha ha). I am still in the 4th grade but it was my best day of sailing.
Suddenly the radio cracked with a distress call from a new member of the club and her husband was piloting the boat, hit a sandbar, was launched and knocked unconscious. My wife picked the distress call up, calmed her down, cell phoned to the clubhouse, got people on jet skis dispatched and made sure the Coast Guard (yes there is a Coast Guard in Kansas, go figure) was alerted, she hauled our sails down, and while I motored towards the crash site, searched with the binocs to find the boat we needed to give assistance to. So I have to say I was impressed with the Admiral's ability to get serious and attack a situation.
So I feel comfortable when out sailing that i have someone on board who can handle most situations if disaster strikes.
My wife, while she screams occassionally when the boat heels (I have permanent hearing damage), has tried hard to learn the ropes, has taken sailing lessons, and if disaster happened, I would feel comfortable that she would get the job done. She might have to beach the boat instead of docking in a slip, but we could get back to help if something terrible happened.
Last sailing season, we were enjoying the best sailing day of the season, I was locked into a groove with 15 mph winds, heeled and smoking across the lake daydreaming that if International Sailing scouts were watching Lake Cheney, thay would surely be thinking that I was the answer for the USA to capture "the cup." OK, I was dislusional, I admit it. (ha ha). I am still in the 4th grade but it was my best day of sailing.
Suddenly the radio cracked with a distress call from a new member of the club and her husband was piloting the boat, hit a sandbar, was launched and knocked unconscious. My wife picked the distress call up, calmed her down, cell phoned to the clubhouse, got people on jet skis dispatched and made sure the Coast Guard (yes there is a Coast Guard in Kansas, go figure) was alerted, she hauled our sails down, and while I motored towards the crash site, searched with the binocs to find the boat we needed to give assistance to. So I have to say I was impressed with the Admiral's ability to get serious and attack a situation.
So I feel comfortable when out sailing that i have someone on board who can handle most situations if disaster strikes.