By Isaac Moody
How does someone from landlocked East Tennessee get into sailing? For me, it simply began during a trip to the beach. A family vacation to Surfside Beach, South Carolina, a place not exactly known for sailing. In fact, I don’t believe I saw a single sailboat while there. What did happen was I fell in love with the water. I bought a cheap body board and surfed the waves for hours, then I would look out across the horizon and wonder just what was out there.
Luckily, the county I live in is part of the “Lakeway Area,” so when I got home, I had plenty of water to make use of. Unfortunately, our East Tennessee lakes don’t have much in the way of waves, so surfing was out. At first, I would go to Panther Creek State Park with a book in hand, hike down to the lake, and sit and read stories about pirates, killer sharks, or other nautical adventures. I was really getting the bug to get in the water, but the true way to enjoy the water on Cherokee Lake is by a boat, and I knew I would have to own one soon.
The typical boat for my area is a pontoon boat, and this is the boat I assumed I would end up with. I started looking at listings of used pontoon boats and soon decided on a budget to work towards. One day, on my way to work, things changed when I decided not to take the interstate on my commute. Taking the back way to work made me pass by a marina. In this marina, I saw a strange sight on Douglas Lake: a mast.
This was a very strange discovery. You can’t go sailing in Tennessee, can you? I thought sailing was just for the ocean or the Great Lakes. Do we have enough wind on the local lakes? Saying ‘I’m gonna set sail’ sounded so much cooler than ‘I’m going to set outboard,’ so I decided to go down the sailing rabbit hole. Looking at listings of sailboats, I soon discovered that they had cabins, and heads, and those in the 22-27 foot range are cheaper than a pontoon boat. I soon became obsessed.
I recalled a friend’s dad mentioning something about sailing, so I called him up to inquire. He had been the former owner of a Catalina 22, but he sold it a few months before. I missed the opportunity to buy his boat, but he did prove instrumental in getting me set up to learn to sail by gifting me my first instructional book.
Soon, the cold weather set in, and my sailing aspirations were put on the back burner. I hadn’t given sailing a lot of thought until Christmas, when my wife, Chantelle, got me a pair of boat shoes and a pirate flag. Sometimes, not so subtle hints are a good thing.
After more research, I learned that the closest marina to my house was home to a sailing club. It was there that I got in contact with a local sailing instructor. After a classroom session, it was time for our first on-the-lake session. The instructor said I should invite Chantelle to the lake session because it would be easier with more crew. Chantelle was reluctant but agreed to come. The first sail was such an amazing experience. The steady wind that day was rather light, but the gusts were heavy, and each time the gust came and the boat heeled over, it was like catching a wave.
After the lesson, we walked the dock, and the instructor showed us some boats that were possibly for sale. One of them was a Catalina 25. I contacted the owner, and he said he would meet me the next day to sell the boat. Before I left for the marina that day, Chantelle told me not to come home without a sailboat. I did not disappoint her.
After 2 or 3 more lessons, the instructor told us we were good to go sailing on our own in less than 10 knots of breeze. Saturday came, and the forecast was calling for 10 knots of wind, so we dropped the kids off at my parents’ house and went sailing.
Our first uninstructed sail was hilarious. We left the dock and put up the mainsail. As soon as we were out of the protected marina waters, we were knocked down by the wind. Well, it wasn’t really a knockdown. I have definitely experienced worse since then, but at the time, it felt like we put the mast in the water. Looking back at pictures from the first sail, I can see that we didn’t even get the worn-out mainsail all the way up. First, we tried going into the wind, but I kept backwinding the jib. After a few failed tacks, we turned around and ran with the wind. I don’t recall how long we were sailing downwind, but I do remember the sun was going down. About that time, my mom called wanting to know when we were coming to pick the kids up. I explained to her I was on a sailboat and didn’t really know what I was doing or how long it would take to get back after the long downwind run.
We turned around and beat into the wind back to the marina. I was determined not to use the engine until I was close to the marina. Somehow, we made it back without going aground or broaching, and this inland dweller had begun his sailing journey.
This Post Has 6 Comments
Great story- thanks for sharing! And yes- there IS sailing in upper East Tennessee! I helped found the Watauga Lake Sailing Club in 1979. I had trailed my old wooden Lightning down from coastal New Jersey when we were transferred to the area. There were just a few other sailboats on Watauga Lake, so we got together and formed a club. I understand it now has about 100 members, and a Google Maps view of the docks at Watauga Lakeshore Marina shows a LOT of sailboats. In addition to racing, parties, and sailing on the lake, the club also organized group charters on the Chesapeake and Pamlico Sound. Just a great group of sailors very far from blue water.
Great story! We have a Capri 26 out here in the middle of KS, but I have always wondered about sailing on Douglas since I graduated from Sevier county HS in the late 80s. Will have to look for some masts the next time we are in E TN visiting family. Fair winds!!
Great story. Brings tears to my eyes when you read a love for sailing. Going on my 4th season Catalina 27 on Lake Pepin MN/WI. Happy sails!
LUVVIT!!! It is always a pleasure to recall when each of us realized we are water creatures!!!
Love it!!! I sail in Nashville TN with Percy Priest Yacht Club. Ive done some blue water sailing and look forward to more. People are surprised to learn you can sail here. I am happy to show them that they can!!!
Keep sailing!!
Congratulations Issac! Great article. And, you’ve discovered a great hobby , stress reliever and family activity all in one.