Sunday March 25th:
First off, in case you are looking, sorry folks; no photos today, I was too lazy. L (Insert vacation excuse here.)
Again the morning promised a great day of sailing! The breeze was out all morning, and building thru the day as is the Margi typical. Connie made breakfast of Coffee, eggs and bacon, and the morning feast on the patio was again amazing.
After a nice breakfast, I did some email and computer play, as Connie hit the beach. I joined her later in the early afternoon, but got talking and visiting others, and before I knew it, I had lost the mid-day sun angle so critical to nice photos, so I decided to sail instead.
I took out a 5.7M sail and the 78lt for another fine afternoon session. As I went out, I noted the boom was a bit creaky, but attributed this to the harness lines I just adjusted, and kept going out. I hit a lull, and dropped in to adjust them again, and managed to drift downwind a bit doing so. Once I got up again, the lines were perfect, and I started to sail powered up, and ready to rock! I was plenty far out at this point, and decided to make a few hundred yards more and jibe and return, when as I was ripping along, I heard another creaking sound, just before a very loud CRACK issued from the boom as I flew on my back, still hooked in and holding that side of the boom!!!
The board and sail thankfully dropped in the water next to me, and I was able to reach it with the boom half in my hands before it could drift away. I gathered it up, and checked my distance to shore. Something like a mile or two out to sea!! Not 30 seconds later, Gerry sailed by, and I waved using the broken boom half. He knew exactly what had happened, and quickly jibed to check on me.
I figured I still had the other half of the boom to sail back in on, and tried to sink the spare half, but it kept floating. I then tried to water start with the broken half together with the good boom, but this was too much to work on. Gerry offered to take the debris back to shore, (Don’t want an aluminum pole floating in the windsurf path!) and to let the folks know to possibly come get me with the boat, as I worked the sail into position to head back in.
I was still within range of getting back to Vela, and it looked good, but as I water-started and got going, the missing half forced me to round up into the wind, and I could not stay hooked in. So I dropped into the water to readjust the harness lines, and to pop the batten for better lift. After these adjustments, I knew I would be walking to get back, but it still looked good for self-rescue.
I water started again and got hooked in. The wind was perfect, and I started to rip back to shore. As I got a few hundred yards into this direction, I again heard a creak, and this was followed by the loud POP of the boom now snapping in half, right between the lines!! CRAP!! Now I will need the boat!! The entire time, I could hear Tom’s voice in the back of my head; ‘Don’t sail out farther than you want to swim back.’ But this did nothing to sooth my mind! I did feel the truth to the words, but remained in floating denial.
As I knew Gerry had just gone in, and would let the center know, I was pretty relaxed floating in the water with my life-jacket, de-rigging what’s left of the sail and parts, getting ready for the boat to pick me up. After about a half hour of drifting along with not a boat in sight, I knew I was probably going to need to self-rescue, as the big waves would make it hard to see me at best. So I started the body drag downwind, as I kicked along, slowly making my way back to the shore.
After drifting for about an hour, I could see I would be at least another hour or more to get back to land, and started to look for any passing boats, hoping for a lift to shore. I tried to wave down a couple to no avail, as they were heading out to Coche, not to Margarita, and way down wind. When a boat from Coche heading in to shore happened by a bit closer, I put up my sail as high as possible, and then waved them down. My luck they saw me, and steered in my direction. THANK YOU!!
When they pulled along side, I asked for help and a ride to shore, and they willingly tied the board to the boat with a tow line, and let me in! Ohh so nice to be out of the water!! The boat was full of passengers, and there was no room for me to sit, but I did manage a seat straddling the 200hp outboard, sitting on the gas tank, holding on by the transom supports. More than OK for a hitched ride!!
It was a short 15 minute ride back to the beaches of El Yaque, and as we neared the dock, the driver pointed to the rope, and board in tow, and I knew this was my drop-off. I towed the line into the boat, untied the board, and flopped it back in the water, then said ‘muchísimas gracias!’ and jumped overboard, for the chest deep walk back up the beach to the center with my kit in tow. I wish I had some money on me to pay the guy for the kind actions!! So cool! Saved me another hour of water time, and at least two hours of walking time!! Thanks dude!!
A short 10 minute walk later, I was met at the nearest pier to the center by Connie, Gerry, and Michael, walking down to see how far I was going to drift ashore. They were so kind to carry my stuff home, and told me of the search for me, as it turned out the boats were all gone or busy, and they could not come out to get me yet. Several folks had sailed out looking for me, and as I had been so far down wind, no-body spotted me, so the center was relieved with my appearance. I was handed beers and told everyone the story of my fun in the water for the afternoon! I almost kissed the sands to be back on dry land!
As a larger than normal surfer, I am used to the occasional breakdown, hence the lifejacket I always wear! So it was not a big deal for me, but I did have Connie worried, and both Tom and Kathy as well! Still not a bad day, back on shore in time for close, and of course happy hour!!
This was again fun, sharing some beers and chatting about the day. Connie and I had planned a small going away happy hour of our own for Nancy at our place, and Nancy, and a few close friends were in attendance for an evening of wine and cheese, with my favorite, hotdogs! This was a fun discussion session into the night, and even became my supper. (Did I mention I love hotdogs!!)
The evening wound down, and after everyone left, we simply went to bed. Raining tonight, so hoping it stops before Monday! See ya then!
Timoteo y Connie