Sailing glitches (Miami, Englewood, Punta Gorda: condos, how much, moving)

[charliekatz]

I have been sailing for a few years - maybe 100 times. I still seem to learn something new every now and then and I really like that. But it can also be pretty scary sometimes (I heard there was a sudden squall near Fisherman's Village a few weeks ago that knocked some folks into the water and broke a few sails).

Here's what I learned the last few times -
I think the tidal currents can have a strong affect on the tack. A friend and I were trying to get back around the Punta Gorda point, from Ponce Park area. Due to the wind direction we couldn't tack directly around, so both of us (in separate sunfish) tried to tack in and out of the shallows and out towards Englewood, but after about an hour of doing this I noted that we were still facing the Condos and hadn't really affected the distance from the Fisherman's Village area. It wasn't until one of us tacked way out that a tack upriver became possible.
The other day, I discovered something very different. I turned into a close-hauled tack and found that the boat was drifting toward's irons. It almost seemed impossible to avoid. But minutes later, after turning the tiller over to my partner, she found the opposite was true. She was having trouble keeping the tack from turning into a jibe. I guess I chalk this up to a combination of stray winds and tidal currents, though we were in about the same area of the River for a good half hour...This was on a 25' Catalina with a swing keel. Were the dolphins and manatees playing with us ?

[MikMal]

Not sure about the sailing lingo, but currents will effect your course, whether you're in a power boat or sail boat. Unless I know it's a slack tide, I always expect to have to adjust my heading to make up for the water moving with the tide or current. I think the dolphins and manatees are innocent!

[HarborRat]

I noticed (SJ21 with swing keel) how much easier it was to point on one tack over the other through parts of the harbor at times for no apparent reason. A 2mph+ tide in a 6mph boat can do funny things.

I think I might have been in that squall you mentioned a few weeks ago...had to get the sails down quick! We were at the mouth of the Peace when it hit, sailing wing on wing...boy did our speed jump.

[Messing About]

I want to learn to sail. I've only been on a few but enough to know I'd like it.

[HarborRat]

Originally Posted by Messing About

I want to learn to sail. I've only been on a few but enough to know I'd like it.

I'd take you out but I traded my boat for a nice bike. It was a lot of fun, and much easier than most people think. It was too much work for me though, having to raise and lower the mast every time I hit the Midway bridge. I definitely want another once I move to sailboat water!

[Big House]

This time of year, the time of day will also effect your sailing and boating. The winds always seem to pick up in the afternoon. When i go out fishing (not sailing) in the mornings its almost always calm this time of year, but the afternoon brings the winds, and rougher seas. Of course, the tides vary depending on the day, so you have to watch that too.

[Vikingen]

Forget the dolphins and manatees. It is the tidal currents setting you off. I don't know the waters around PC too much, but I would imagine that tidal currents are relatively weak. Specially since the rivers Peace and Myakka kinda water out the ocean tidal effects. I know the currents off Boca Grande are pretty strong at tidal changes, so that indicates a massive change of water.

A few nautical miles out of Miami the massive Gulfstream will set you Northwards sometimes at currents up to 8 knots, no fun sailing there...

If you compare your magnetic North compass heading to your GPS True heading you will basically find your drift. Even some GPS calculate this

[DennisDaMenace]

The tide rips thru that area. I don't think it had anything to do with manatees or porpoise. If you are battling a two knot tide, with a small centerboard, you don't have a lot of " foot" in the water.

[Salty Dave]

I bought a Chrysler Buccaneer I have never sailed but always have wanted to looks like a good chance to learn.
First I need to do a little work on it.

[DennisDaMenace]

Do you want sell it? I used to have a buccaneer, and I loved that boat!