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Let's do first things first&ldots; Don't forget to come to the GLSS Spring Safety Seminar and Open House. It's Tuesday evening, March 26, 7:00 PM at North Star Sail Club. We've got 4
presenters who are willing to share their expertise:
Shorten Sail -- Al Merrithew
Medications -- Michael Garcia
Anticipating Weather Changes -- Chuck Drummond
Stay Warm & Dry -- Michael Clow
And a big part of the evening is the "Open House" portion -- be sure to ask your questions!!
So here we go with Step #12 to prepare for the Mac Solo. And that also means that the start is about 12 weeks away!!
Step #12 - Evaluate Your Stay-Dry Clothes
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About 20 years ago, I did my first long-distance race. Man - was I ever nervous! I felt like a Pilgrim leaving Mother-England. I'm sure I drove my skipper nuts with all of my goofy questions. One of my concerns was clothing - what should I pack? My skipper told me to bring two small duffel bags with a complete change of clothes in each one. I packed two sets of blue jeans, flannel shirts, sweatshirts, etc. I felt like Noah packing the arc - two of everything! When I arrived at the boat and my skipper saw my gear, I'm sure he muttered under his breath, "I thought I told him to bring two SMALL duffel bags!"
During the first six hours of the race, we were on a beat. As luck would have it, one of my duffel bags fell onto the cabin sole. And as more (un)luck would set in, there were enough leaks in the boat so that my duffel bag was now sloshing in water. I was relieved to find that my second duffel of dry clothes was secure and dry.
After some time had passed, darker clouds began to build in the northwest. I put on my foul weather jacket to help as a windbreaker. Before I knew it, we were in a squall. There was so much deck-work that I never took the time to put on my foul weather pants. I was soaked - but that was okay since I knew I had a set of dry clothes down below. Soon after things settled down, I changed out of my "wets" and into my "drys". I was so comfortable that I was ready to sit by the fire with a good book and with one of those flavored coffee things! I was at peace with the world! I had successfully achieved my first day at sea.
The next day appeared to be an identical repeat of the first day. No problem-o for me! I was "Sail-bad the Sinner"!! However, when the first few rain drops appeared, the skipper said, "Hey Nuge, didn't you mention that you're wearing your only dry clothes?" When I responded, "Yes", my skipper suggested, "If I were you, I would put the wet clothes back on until we're through this squall." I was ready to melt.
I took the skipper's advice and saved my dry clothes in a secure place, and I put my wet clothes back on. With blinding clarity, I could easily understand why babies cried with a wet diaper. I was miserable. I sat on the high side in despair as I shivered and wished, "Can't someone invent something to prevent this miserable fate?"
Well, "who'd a thunk" that my wish would be granted?!!! Fleece! Fleece! Fleece! Most kids ask their parents, "Dad, what did they do before they invented computers?" My kids ask me: "Dad, what did they do before they invented fleece?" Today I own fleece pants, fleece shirts, fleece vests, fleece hats - and yes&ldots;fleece (capilene) underwear!! And I only have to pack one duffel bag. Fleece is this magic fabric that wicks moisture from the warm side (your body) to the cold side. Finally! They found a way to keep you dry when you're wet! If someone didn't receive the Nobel Prize for this, they should!!!
So. You say, "Hey Nuge! How can I find out more about this fleece stuff?" It's easy, mates! Come to the GLSS Spring Safety Seminar. Michael Clow will be speaking on this exact subject - how to stay warm & dry when you're sailing. And what if you can't make it to the Safety Seminar?? Send Michael a note at mdclow@warmgear.com and ask for the true scoop. Michael has a super e-mail forum. Michael knows more about "warmgear" than my kids know about computers!! Send him a note!
I'll see you Tuesday, March 26 at the Safety Seminar!
Patrick Nugent