Three sailors have successfully completed all three steps of our Confidence Cruise series: MacSkills, MacSailing and MacFoulie. Congratulations to the crew on this achievement!
The 2026 Fall MacFoulie cruise aboard Oh Bay Ba, a MacGregor 26M, promised foul weather but delivered something even better: seven hours of excellent sailing, practical training and shared experience on the water.
The day began with VHF radio checks and bridge-transit procedures before the crew headed out past Blackie Spit. There, 12-knot headwinds and two- to three-foot waves provided a valuable opportunity to practice boat handling in challenging conditions.
With winds generally ranging from 6 to 12 knots, the crew worked on sail trim, boat balance and heel control, learning how to keep the boat sailing efficiently through careful sail adjustments. Discussions also covered weather forecasting, cloud patterns and safe maneuvers, including how to prevent an accidental jibe.
The day delivered one final lesson when the outboard engine initially refused to start. The crew calmly put the boat in a safe position and methodically investigated the problem. The culprit turned out to be a false neutral in the throttle control. Once corrected, the engine started and the crew headed home.
Although the hoped-for foul weather never arrived, everyone returned with new skills, greater confidence and a better understanding of how to handle their boat safely.
Congratulations to our three sailors on completing the full Confidence Cruise series!
“Sail Safe Everyone and Leave Only Wake”
