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Thanks everybody for the warm welcome and your helpful hints. The "capsize corner" is a great ressource with lots of valuable insights! I also like the idea of carrying a VHF or mobile with me, in any case the device itself should be waterproof.
David, I will be at lake Garda the week before Easter, it's the world's biggest Optimist regatta, and with 1200 competing boats very likely the biggest sailing event at all. I suggest to change the Optimist class rules, bringing an Aero should be mandatory for all parents, so much more fun than batteling with the other parent's who's first at the slip ;-)
Best, Thomas
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26/01/2018 17:53:00
Battelliere
Posts: 5
Congrats on joining the Aero fleet Thomas
I've had the boat blow away initially a few times when it is windy, but as Peter says it always turtles quite quickly and stops drifting. I've tried to train myself to hang on to the mainsheet and let go the tiller as I and many others have had the tiller break off at the rudder stock as a result of hanging on to it in a capsize.
As a sea sailor I would always carry a handheld VHF radio if sailing on my own, or I guess a mobile phone in a waterproof case would do.
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26/01/2018 12:41:00
Posts: 0
We expect to be sailing an Aero at Lake Garda (north end) this summer, so if you want give a holler when you know your plans.
David Solnick
[email protected]
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26/01/2018 01:34:00
david
Posts: 64
Hi Thomas, Congratulations on your new RS Aero!
Another pin on the AeroMap, you have lots of close neighbours!
For your RS Aero to drift faster than you can swim you would have to be quite a slow swimmer on quite a windy day. Quite soon it will turn turtle and stop drifting.
If you are to attach your self to the boat beware of the danger of becoming entangled and entrapment. Be sure to have a quick release method.
Check the Aero Video section on the RS Aero forum for many useful videos to help start out. Especially Capsize Corner which covers every which way to capsize recovery! Also the Top Tips section has a large library now of useful tips and technique.
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26/01/2018 00:32:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4692
Dear all,
I am yet another happy aeronaut, about to pick up my brand new toy on Sunday evening - some of you may have seen it already, as I bought the one that is exhibited on the BOOT in Düsseldorf right now. Can’t wait to set of for a first trial run!
I will use it as a “Daddy Opti”, to make use of the time I spend watching my son training / racing in his Optimist. I will have opportunities to sail Lake Garda, Ijsselmeer and the Baltic coast this year and hopefully in the years to come. Lucky me! But before doing so, I would like to hear some opinions on how to add some safety when sailing all on my own? Despite wearing a buoyancy vest, hat and gloves in bright colors and carrying a whistle with me, I am worried I could eventually lose contact to the boat when capsized. The hull is floating very high, so it may drift pretty fast in a breeze!
Do you connect yourself to the boat / sheet in any way? I thought about using a leash as surfers / SUP do, though this may be a bit of a hassle. If I hook one end to the swivel base of the sheet and the other to the belt of my vest, it should not interfere with the tiller extension or any line or sheet - at least that’s my theory. Any comments?
Thx
Thomas
Reply
I am yet another happy aeronaut, about to pick up my brand new toy on Sunday evening - some of you may have seen it already, as I bought the one that is exhibited on the BOOT in Düsseldorf right now. Can’t wait to set of for a first trial run!
I will use it as a “Daddy Opti”, to make use of the time I spend watching my son training / racing in his Optimist. I will have opportunities to sail Lake Garda, Ijsselmeer and the Baltic coast this year and hopefully in the years to come. Lucky me! But before doing so, I would like to hear some opinions on how to add some safety when sailing all on my own? Despite wearing a buoyancy vest, hat and gloves in bright colors and carrying a whistle with me, I am worried I could eventually lose contact to the boat when capsized. The hull is floating very high, so it may drift pretty fast in a breeze!
Do you connect yourself to the boat / sheet in any way? I thought about using a leash as surfers / SUP do, though this may be a bit of a hassle. If I hook one end to the swivel base of the sheet and the other to the belt of my vest, it should not interfere with the tiller extension or any line or sheet - at least that’s my theory. Any comments?
Thx
Thomas
Reply
25/01/2018 18:33:00
Battelliere
Posts: 5
