Sailing small boats while blind

Category: Sports Bar

Post 1 by The Roman Battle Mask (Making great use of my Employer's time.) on Monday, 28-Aug-2006 0:00:40

I was wondering if anyone has sailed small boats while blind, I'm talking 15 feet or less? The local sail club races flying juniors, and 420's, but you don't ride a wire on the 420. All my experience is with boats 25 feet or longer, where i have winches to grind, and runners to take care of. I was told I'd be better off running the jib with a single sheet through both blocks rather then two seporate sheets. Other then that I'm really not sure, those things are real real small compared to what I'm used to, and I was just wondering what blind peoples experiences with them are?

Post 2 by guitargod1 (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Monday, 28-Aug-2006 1:23:16

I've sailed ten to fifteen foot, with main sail and jib. a bit cramped with a couple people but it's manageable. I want to sail in the ocean though at some point on a boat with a crew. Not sure if that will happen though...

Post 3 by crazy_cat (Just a crazy cat) on Monday, 28-Aug-2006 16:29:45

Hmm... I didn't know a blind person could even nagivate their own sailboat. Interesting, I wouldn't mind learning more about this in plain English that is! I'd love to get back out on the water again whether it would be a sailboat or a canoe or a Kyack. Yeah, I love being out on the water, but who knows, maybe it's just a dream.

Post 4 by The Roman Battle Mask (Making great use of my Employer's time.) on Monday, 28-Aug-2006 19:39:56

No you don't steer. Someone else steers, you pull the ropes when they tell you to so you can keep moving in the proper dirrection.

Post 5 by blbobby (Ooo you're gona like this!) on Monday, 28-Aug-2006 21:37:02

My sailing experience goes way back, and I just did what I was told to do. But, it sure was fun, and relaxing (we weren't in competition). The captain was the only one with any experience. But it was fun.

I would think the only problem you might have with a small craft is fewer people to help out. If that doesn't seem like a problem to you, then go for it, and let us know how it goes.

Oh yes, I'm invious.

Bob