In May of 2005 the San Francisco Bay Area Potter Yachters had planned a day sail at Lake Del Valle just outside Livermore, California. Not very wide in places, but long enough for a good day-sail and there are times when the winds are excellent. The lake is formed in a steep valley with breaks between the hills where gusts of hot wind can seemingly come from nowhere. I had taken a friend with me that day, for our first day-sail together. My friend (who was actually at the helm) was an experienced "big-boat skipper", who frequently charters sailboats, but actually owns a powerboat. I had been warned about the winds on Del Valle, but was confident in my friends ability. I had noticed that he kept us heeling quite a bit, although the West Wight Potter P-15 sails best at less than 10 degrees of heel, but I felt sure that he knew what he was doing. My only concern was that the main sheet was not in his hand, as I knew it should be… but surely he, who had been sailing longer than I, knew what he was doing. Shortly, the inevitable happened -- an unexpected gust, and over we went.
Although the gust was not that big, in the hills and over Lake Del Valle, the gusts are sometimes unexpected, and then turn down, vertically, pushing the boat all the way down to the water. I had never sailed Del Valle before, though I had been warned, and I was (*mea culpa) not quick enough either. Two boats were there with me and saved my bacon, those of Rich McDevitt and Steve Potter. (yes, we do have a Potter in the Potter Yachters!) Both of these sailors are great guys, and without their help, things could have gotten even nastier. My friend now realizes that the Potters sail more like a dinghy than a keelboat. I too have learned some lessons, the first of which is trust no one at the helm, unless you have personal knowledge of their expertise! Other lessons include "reef early." I have learned that my level of comfort is less than others, so now it is "reef early & often." With only a lapper and no roller furling, there was no way to reduce the foresail. Now, I have a smaller jib to use when it is windy. Next, I have learned to use a bungee around the swing keel of the P15 to keep the keel down. Should this happen again, I will surely try to prevent it! And, first and foremost, the lesson that I had previously learned, and ignored….."Keep the main-sheet IN YOUR HAND when it is windy."
Follow along with the photos to see the crew pull "Festina Lente" (make Haste Slowly) back onto her feet, drag her ashore bail out the water and sail her back to the landing, still heavy and riding low in the water. The P-15 shown in the last shot, coming away from the landing is reefed to avoid a similar fate.
*My Fault
Although the gust was not that big, in the hills and over Lake Del Valle, the gusts are sometimes unexpected, and then turn down, vertically, pushing the boat all the way down to the water. I had never sailed Del Valle before, though I had been warned, and I was (*mea culpa) not quick enough either. Two boats were there with me and saved my bacon, those of Rich McDevitt and Steve Potter. (yes, we do have a Potter in the Potter Yachters!) Both of these sailors are great guys, and without their help, things could have gotten even nastier. My friend now realizes that the Potters sail more like a dinghy than a keelboat. I too have learned some lessons, the first of which is trust no one at the helm, unless you have personal knowledge of their expertise! Other lessons include "reef early." I have learned that my level of comfort is less than others, so now it is "reef early & often." With only a lapper and no roller furling, there was no way to reduce the foresail. Now, I have a smaller jib to use when it is windy. Next, I have learned to use a bungee around the swing keel of the P15 to keep the keel down. Should this happen again, I will surely try to prevent it! And, first and foremost, the lesson that I had previously learned, and ignored….."Keep the main-sheet IN YOUR HAND when it is windy."
Follow along with the photos to see the crew pull "Festina Lente" (make Haste Slowly) back onto her feet, drag her ashore bail out the water and sail her back to the landing, still heavy and riding low in the water. The P-15 shown in the last shot, coming away from the landing is reefed to avoid a similar fate.
*My Fault
Photos and Story by Patrick Malone
West Wight Potter "Festina Lente"
Potter P15 Turtled & Recovered
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