A few mistakes from my second time out:

1. No sunscreen.
2. One of the pins that hold the rudders almost worked itself loose.
3. I forgot to put the step link back in when I took the mast down. Of course I dropped it... Came down real fast, nobody was hurt though.

This could be a problem, when you finally capsize, the mast could leak. If it is the old style (non comp-tip)check the mast head casting for cracks and leak test the mast.

Everyone forgets to put in the pin once but seldom more than once. The next worry is making sure you don't forget to put in the plugs. I don't have the problem because I don't take them out but twice a year. I check to be sure there is no water in the hulls at the beginning of the season and once during the season to make sure there are no leaks.

It is a good idea to inspect everything like a pilot checking a plane before you go out. I found a shackle on the forestay coming loose once. Another good idea is to tape the split rings on the shroud pins.

Howard

Yes, I would also reccomend checking to make sure the sail track on the mast is not bent. I forgot to put the step link pin into the hole too and the mast came crashing down on me. Unfortunately, the mast did not hit the soft ground, but fell right onto a wooden fence. It took me about and hour to repair the sail track because it was bent and the main would not rise any further.

Thanks for the pointers! The mast is already leaky, we have a bob on it. The mast fell on a nieghboring trailer, but it appears there was no damage. The track is not bent. I made it a point to check everything on my way out. I just got in a hurry trying to get everything packed up on the way home. I'm just glad nobody was hurt.

The one thing I try Never to be when sailing is "In a Hurry", to me it defeats the purpose. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Sometimes to fit in a sail, with a day actually requiring your attention or time elsewhere, "in a hurry" is the only way. I always seem to be in a hurry. Don't like it. But a least you can still get some time on the water <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />