Last Sail Of The Year???
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 6:25 am
Yesterday was Veterans Day, therefore I took the day off and went out on the HenriLina for what may be the last sail of this year. I arrived at the marina around 11:30 to almost no wind and temps in the mid 50's. Not a good start! I messed around the boat for a bit and then ate my lunch. By the time I finished this (around 12:30) the temps had climbed to the low 60's and the wind was up to 2 kts or so. Ok, I am going to do this!
I started backing out of my slip. I use a 55kw MinnKota trolling motor for motorized propulsion. The boat was barely moving! I looked down at the prop and it was turning over so slow I could almost count the revolutions! The battery was almost completely dead. I backed as far as I could and then raised the jib after swinging around to the proper heading. I was able to move out of the "harbor" and get into position to raise the main as well and off I went. Once I cleared the "Point" the winds, no longer blocked, increased to between 3.5 and 4 kts (I know all this because I was using my wireless Kestrel 2500 Weather Meter purchased though the pages of SCA). Now the boat was scooting along at a good clip. I whipped out my wireless boat speed indicator, (a Knot Stick, they really work well as long as a fish doesn't decide they look like dinner) and I was hitting between 2.5 and 3.5 kts on a close reach. Not bad in my opinion. I sailed around for about two hours, winds were gusting all the way to 5 kts and it was great. I wasn't headed for any particular spot or destination, just enjoying the blessings of the weather gods.
Headed back I realized I didn't have a motor and would have to sail or paddle in. I generally lower the sails and use the motor from about 100 yards out. I didn't want to paddle that far so I lowered the main and came in on a dead run under the head sail alone. I could not believe that I actually looked like I knew what I was doing in those tight quarters! I dropped the head sail and then came to starboard and ghosted right into my slip. It was a very fitting end to a memorable sailing season.
I say it may be the last sail of the year because the weather report has it raining for the next week, then turning cold with some freezes in the forecast. Considering Thanksgiving is coming up and that means trips to see the family, and by that time snow (sorry for the four letter word) is generally a given.
So......Its thinking about what improvements I want to make, what maintenance is required and gazing forlornly at an empty mailbox waiting for the next issue of Small Craft Advisor.
Be of good cheer all.
I started backing out of my slip. I use a 55kw MinnKota trolling motor for motorized propulsion. The boat was barely moving! I looked down at the prop and it was turning over so slow I could almost count the revolutions! The battery was almost completely dead. I backed as far as I could and then raised the jib after swinging around to the proper heading. I was able to move out of the "harbor" and get into position to raise the main as well and off I went. Once I cleared the "Point" the winds, no longer blocked, increased to between 3.5 and 4 kts (I know all this because I was using my wireless Kestrel 2500 Weather Meter purchased though the pages of SCA). Now the boat was scooting along at a good clip. I whipped out my wireless boat speed indicator, (a Knot Stick, they really work well as long as a fish doesn't decide they look like dinner) and I was hitting between 2.5 and 3.5 kts on a close reach. Not bad in my opinion. I sailed around for about two hours, winds were gusting all the way to 5 kts and it was great. I wasn't headed for any particular spot or destination, just enjoying the blessings of the weather gods.
Headed back I realized I didn't have a motor and would have to sail or paddle in. I generally lower the sails and use the motor from about 100 yards out. I didn't want to paddle that far so I lowered the main and came in on a dead run under the head sail alone. I could not believe that I actually looked like I knew what I was doing in those tight quarters! I dropped the head sail and then came to starboard and ghosted right into my slip. It was a very fitting end to a memorable sailing season.
I say it may be the last sail of the year because the weather report has it raining for the next week, then turning cold with some freezes in the forecast. Considering Thanksgiving is coming up and that means trips to see the family, and by that time snow (sorry for the four letter word) is generally a given.
So......Its thinking about what improvements I want to make, what maintenance is required and gazing forlornly at an empty mailbox waiting for the next issue of Small Craft Advisor.
Be of good cheer all.
