Yesterday I did something I haven't done before. I went out ( Pittwater ) on my mates 38 footer. There was a decent
breeze blowing ( there was white caps starting ) and we were heeling at the full 30 degrees. I was helming while the
owner was adjusting trim and gazing lovingly at the water lapping the toe rail. We sailed close hauled from Lion Island
to Scotland Island ( about 5 miles ) then sailed back and did it all again. But, I found it hard work. Having not done it
before I didn't know what to expect, but i didn't expect the steering to be so 'heavy'. I tended to stray too close to
the wind but I don't know if that's how it is sailing close hauled. On the second run I could feel my skinny arms protesting
a little and I'm wondering how the auto pilot would have coped. Ordinarily the boat is light on steering, so is this experience
just due to sailing under full sail at 30 degree heel or was it due to some trim problem. We were doing a hundred miles an
hour BTW.