Sailing a Stratos with Stan and Alex

After sailing a small boat solo on Tuesday, I was pleased to join with Stan and Alex sailing a Stratos on Wednesday.

I would not have been sure about taking a Stratos out single handed, but I did feel very happy with Stan, an experienced, self taught sailor. I followed his lead in electing not to wear a wet suit, and the confidence was justified. It was my only day sailing in the week that I did not end up in the water.

Stan is one of many people who travel many miles, in his case from North Yorkshire, to do all his sailing at Glenridding, which is a testament to the wonderful scenery, and the relaxed atmosphere that Steve & Pete maintain. (It also helps that he used to live locally, and knows Linnhe's husband through a shared interest in Folk Music)

Having recently done my RYA level 2 course on a Stratos, I was familiar with the boat, whereas for Stan it was his first time in a Stratos, and for Alex his first time sailing. I could also remember most of the "right" terminology, some of which Stan had never learnt. When he gets time and the instructors are not busy on other courses, he is doing his Seamanship skills.

The sailing conditions were not particularly easy, the winds were mainly light, and sometimes they seemed to drop altogether. There were episodes when it was not obvious where the wind was coming from at all, it was certainly changing direction confusingly. At one stage, we were sailing close to the wind, we knew that because we were close to both sails flapping. Then, as we went about, we turned 270 degrees before the sail swung over, as the wind seemed to be following us around.

Stan started off at the helm, and once he felt he had the measure of the boat, he let me take the helm, which I did for most of the session before lunch. Then he helmed for the short session after lunch, as I had to leave by 2.45. They were hoping that they might get the Seafly afterwards, thinking that it might make a safer option for Alex.

I have to say that Stan gave us a smoother ride than I did. There were gusts, and even when we heeled over enough to ship in some water over the side, it felt secure, smooth and in control. By contrast when I took action during gusts we were often lurching back into the centre of the boat as I overreacted to the situation. More practice needed.