A Summer Experience

In this time of winter what could be better than a summer sailing story. The disturbing part is that it is a true story. Let me say at the outset that I have had 30 years of experience sailing various size sail boats, however that doesn't seem to matter when it comes to getting a brain cramp.

It was a typical summer day in mid-Illinois on Lake Carlyle, hot, humid, and a bit windy. The boat is a Catalina 250. After sailing around for about an hour, my niece and wife decided it was time to stop and cool off in the water. I dropped the sails and started to head forward to lower the anchor when they both said not to take the time, they just wanted a quick dip. That was error #1. They go in with floatation in the form of a "noodle" and a seat cushion. It wasn't long before the wind had blown the boat with me on board a distance from them that they could not swim back to the boat. I have no idea why I did not start the outboard and just motor over to them, but instead of common sense, I opted to jump in and help them get back to the boat. With a little push and encouragement they made it back to the boat.

This story would be bad enough if that was the end, but it wasn't. Now they were on the boat and I was in the water, with the seat cushion, and the boat was drifting further away by the minute. Of course they didn't know how to anchor or start the outboard, and I was not making any headway back to the boat trying to swim. All of my yelling and cursing instructions did not seem to sink in. Fortunately they were able to flag down a passing motor boat who's operator was kind enough to tow me back to my boat. Notice I said tow me back and not give me a ride back. I think they warned him that I was in somewhat of a foul mood. Very embarrassing to be towed back to your boat. A big lesson here is to make sure that all on board know how to take care of the simple necessities in case of an emergency, like dropping the anchor or starting a motor.