rss feedQueen’s Cup Heartache
David & Chad
I had really hoped that I would be sharing updates with you from Queen’s Cup this weekend, but that was not to be. Our trip to Milwaukee started off great: medium seas, steady wind, cruising at 7-8 knots.
About 20 miles into our trip, I noticed the wind was picking up and we were starting to see white caps on the water. MB was dealing with a weathered helm and I knew we were going to have to make some decisions. Around this time, I also noticed a small tear was forming in the upper part of our main sail. I discussed this with the crew and we all agreed that something had to be done or the situation was just going to get worse.
I made the decision to have MB point into the wind, and the rest of us would quickly pull the main sail down, repair it with sail tape and as quick as possible put it back up with a reef in it to combat the growing seas and wind.
Unfortunately, even with the best laid plans, things don’t always go as we would like. We weren’t pointed into the wind for more that a few seconds before we go side-swiped by a large wave which turned the boat off the wind. Next thing I know we were in an accidental tack. The boom and main sail slammed to the port side and the whole boat heeled over. For at least 3 seconds of pure horror, I was sure the boat was going to capsize. As quick as I could, I released the main sheet line to eliminate the pressure on the boat, which worked, but also came with the unfortunate side effect of having the main sail pounded against the back-stay tensioner. Within just a few seconds, our main sail was destroyed beyond repair.
Realizing we had no other options, we removed all the sails, turned our motor on, and began the long journey back home. The crew was quiet, disappointed, frustrated and tired. This was not the Queen’s Cup we had been waiting for for the last many months.
As the skipper, I of course take full responsibility for the course of action we took and it’s outcome. Replaying everything back in mind over-and-over again, thinking about what I could have done differently and what I will do next time. But hindsight is always 20/20 and in the end, it’s all a part of the learning process. Now, I know…next time, that will help.
As I sit here in my office today, wishing I was in Milwaukee, I can’t help but feel a little bit of relief as well. Things could have been a lot worse. A capsized boat twenty miles off-shore is not just a bad day, but dangerous. Thanks to a great crew who reacted well, we all made it back home, and that is really the most important thing.
Besides, it certainly wasn’t the most boring Queen’s Cup trip I have been on, it certainly won’t be our last…and all of us have a pretty good tale to tell down at the pub.
So, until next year…
“There is nothing so stable as change.” ~Bob Dylan