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Dave R: I think a sailboat captain deliberately tested my boating knowledge this morning. I was headed northwest south of Moose/Ship Islands and a sailboat was crossing from right to left in front of me (he was on a starboard tack), at about a 50 degree angle, relative to my course. With plenty of space to spare, I adjusted my course to starboard to pass about 300 feet behind him. When I got about 600 feet away he made a 130 degree turn to starboard (into the wind, so a tack) which now put him directly ahead of me and on the same heading. I immediately altered course to port and overtook him on his port side about 200-250 feet away. There was no visible legitimate reason for the sudden (and illegal, the sailboat was the stand-on vessel) tack and I think it was simply to see what I'd do. I smiled, waved and continued on my way.
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That was you? I'm really sorry about that! (only kidding)
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Originally Posted by Acres per Second
One of those arrived on a catamaran I'd bought—and was "powered" by a feather! (A "primary" feather, for those who've got to know. 
I found that it was not sensitive enough! 
In lake sailing, winds are often described as "flukey". (Not so much in ocean environments).
Though it's usually only durable enough for a week or so, my latest setup involves the use of a one-foot length of a mylar strand from a tattered tarp: tied to a breast feather from a duck, it picks up the slightest of zephyrs.
Any bird's feather works well—Loon or Seagull—just check downwind from a few that are preening.
Even when the lake appears to be a "flat calm"...there IS wind out there.  (So you can start sailing much earlier in your day).  |
I have found this to be the most sensitive. Unfortunately, I can't find tapes anymore!
