Category: Sailing

This was the first outing of the season and we managed 2 boats for the very first time. Last year there were no GIN sailing outings so this was quite a change. From Crans we had Dave G, Rudi, Gary and Mark 2Ts, and from Founex: Mike H and Mervyn.

We met in the lake and it was obvious that the Founex boat was faster (or better helmed) until they tried to show off by flying their genniker and were left for dead. Then the wind, which could best be described as a zephyr, died altogether and we just about managed to approach each other to exchange some pleasantries while consuming vital fluids.

Eventually the zephyr returned and we drifted home.

Not the most exciting sail but a pleasant time together on the water.

There were 4 of us: Dave, Trevor, Gary and me, on a very still day. The weather forecast had been for a sunny day but had changed its mind at the last moment.

We motored across almost to the other side of the lake and somehow managed to sail back almost to Crans while all on board thought we were still heading for the French side. Maybe this is a reflection of how soporific it all became.

We still had a good time and got back to Port shortly after 4 to sort the boat and have a beer.

Greatest excitement was when Mark tried to turn the boat around so that Trevor could get on easily. Manoeuvre would have gone perfectly if I hadn’t forgotten to untie the rope to the mooring buoy. I was wondering why the boat behaved so strangely and managed to drag the buoy about a metre out of position. Oops!

It should have been Dave, Rudi, Peter D and myself but I’d suggested a late start time and Dave had an engagement at 18:00 and didn’t trust me to get him back in time. He knows me too well!

Slightly better breeze than last week, still only top end of force 2 but enough for a pleasant sail. Again 2 tacks to Prangins and then hoisted the spinnaker for the return. Hoisted it inside the forestay – whoops. Easily corrected since not much wind and then a pleasant run almost back to Crans.

Our season started late due to the Covid scare. Then it really started, although we limited the number on the boat to 4 for social distancing.

First outing was September 2. Apart from Mark and Dave only Tony Keefer signed up. Deborah brought him to Crans so she joined us and we had a very pleasant gentle drift before ending up with a couple of beers in the buvette. Sadly no photos.

September 9 was the first outing to be oversubscribed. Six wanted to sail so we took the first 4 to reply: Mark, Dave, Peter D, Phillip. A lovely little breeze took us across the lake then up to Prangins (just 2 tacks). Then we hoisted the spinnaker for a downwind run home. The wind dropped at exactly that time so we had a slow spinnaker drift for a while then started the motor and opened the beers. Still a good day out.

That left Rob MacKenzie and Rudi so we had another outing on Friday (September 11). Unfortunately Rudi could not come so is was only Rob and myself plus a stowaway who was tossed overboard. Again not much wind but a pleasant drift.

Just Dave G, Peter D and I. Not much wind but a pleasant little sail in good company. We still felt we’d earned a beer at the end.

Just 3 sailing today: Philip Jenkins, Dave Gwilliam and myself.

We started with an almost flat calm but then the wind got up to a very pleasant force 3. Unfortunately there was a lot of water in the bilges  so I spent much of the time below deck mopping it out and leaving the other 2 to sail the boat. I believe the water tank must have ruptured – need to check it out later.

We all needed a beer at the end.

Photographer was so incompetent he could not find the button to make a selfie!!

Perfect weather for a lovely sail. Sunny with force 3 gusting 4. Crew this time was Dave G, Mervyn, myself plus Lynda (fellow boat owner  and official photographer). Nothing dramatic, just across the lake a few times, but enough wind to decide on life jackets. Also discussed the man overboard procedure which we’ll practice in a subsequent outing.

Knot tests

And some essential rehydration (thanks to Mervyn for providing the beer)

Morning sail this time. Just Dave G, Rudi, Mark GW plus our own photographer, Lynda.

Absolutely dead calm at first so we motored for a while and then a slight breeze picked up allowing a very gentle sail. First of the season, only put the sails on last week. Brand new motor behaved very nicely.

Necessary re hydration at end

An also for our photographer and honorary GIN member

 

Only Rob, Thatcher and Mark but a great afternoon’s sail.

It started out with no wind at all but we were clearly on the Southern edge of a little storm. Within a few minutes of hoisting the main we had to put a reef in and only unrolled half the genoa but still flew across to the other side of the lake, avoiding going North into the storm.

Once the wind eased a bit we practised our man overboard manoeuvre, including a “heave to” approach demonstrated by Rob.

 

Then genny fully out, shook out the reef and a calm sail and motor home.

Just avoided getting boarded by the local pirates

Great afternoon in a gentle breeze.

Peter Drew, Rudi Pluss, Dave Gwilliam, Mark Watts