You shouldn't have to be "fast" to sail away from a dock. You need to be
under control at all times. Fast usually gets you in touble.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Ellen MacArthur" wrote in message
reenews.net...

"Scotty" wrote

| 3 boat lengths? By the time you weigh anchor you'll be back
| crashing on the dock.


Not if your fast and not if you don't get in irons. The secret
is to break loose the anchor from the bottom only when the bow's
at an angle to the wind. That way your mainsail should sail you
away from the dock. It should be sheeted in about on the quarter.
If you use the jib too you have to make sure its full and not backed
before you break loose the anchor.

Cheers,
Ellen