New Boat

[Michel]

That is a good looking boat! Do you have the enclosure for the pop-top?

Unfortunately no but it shouldn't be too hard to fabricate one. Velco and mosquito netting should do the trick.

You are right! A pop-top is a nice confort thing. It would be a lost not be able to use it.

[lustyslogger]

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Here is a photo of the boat in the water. Unfortunately the forestay is about 18 inches too short and I have to build another forestay so I haven't taken the boat out yet. This week end, I hope.

[lustyslogger]

Well, I fixed the forestay, cleaned out the interior of the boat, rigged the sails (which are apparently the original sails but in very good condition) and have started working on cleaning and varnishing the woodwork, of which there is little.

One sad note, I had intended to have a Renaming Ceremony on Saturday Sept 5. However, as incredible as it is, this boat has never had a name. A 43 year old boat and no one has ever bothered to name it! That's like not naming your child. How could anyone be so cruel? Anyway, the Renaming Ceremony is out, I can't rename something that was never named in the first place. The Naming Ceremony is not nearly as impressive as the Renaming (no virgins peeing in the bilge for example) so I don't know if I will do anything or not.

The new boat name is the HenriLina (after my grandson Henry and grand daughter Angelina).

I can't get out for another two weeks but 8/22 is sailing day!!

[Michel]

Peeing virgins are a little hard to find nowadays! You should set for a fountain woman doing her thing from the bow! Neptune always appreciate the attention!

Nice name BTW!

[Charlie P. (NY)]

The old gods aren't so picky as long as you introduce your boat to them and offer a bit of spirits to the air and sea. The sea god(s) usually makes out better as the air god(s) have to be quick and catch it on the way down or what evaporates off the boat.

The main thing is you introduce the boat, ask their indulgences and pour a bit on the boat, making sure most ends up in the water.

And when you're done it couldn't hurt to say a prayer to God assuring Him you were "just kidding".

And keep your Karma clean or you may comer back as a barnacle on a garbage barge.

[lustyslogger]

I did find this. Perhaps I should do this.

So for you new boat owners, don't tempt fate. Get out that notebook and pencil, and let's write us a modern, but classy, christening ceremony.

First of all, make certain that you invite everyone to the christening who is important to the boat. That should include your kids, the family pet, gramma and grampa, and if you think you can con Uncle Harry into buying some bait once in a while, invite him, too. Distribute plastic champagne glasses to all the attendees. If you give them glass glasses, somebody is bound to drop one, and then you have to interrupt the ceremony to sweep it up. It's not good to interrupt the ceremony.

Someone with a strong voice, preferably who can impersonate Richard Burton, begins by saying:

"For thousands of years, we have gone to sea. We have crafted vessels to carry us and we have called them by name. These ships will nurture and care for us through perilous seas, and so we affectionately call them "she." To them we toast, and ask to celebrate (the name of your boat)." Then everybody raises their plastic glass filled with champagne or your favorite non-alcoholic beverage and shouts, "TO THE SAILORS OF OLD�TO (the name of your boat)." Everybody takes a sip.

Lord Burton continues. "The moods of the sea are many, from tranquil to violent. We ask that this ship be given the strength to carry on. The keel is strong and she keeps out the pressures of the sea." Again the glasses are raised, and the assemblage shouts, "TO THE SEA...TO THE SAILORS OF OLD...TO THE SEA!" Everybody takes another sip.

Continue. "Today we come to name this lady (name of your boat), and send her to sea to be cared for, and to care for the (name of your family) family. We ask the sailors of old and the mood of God that is the sea to accept (your boat's name) as her name, to help her through her passages, and allow her to return with her crew safely. " Again, with the raising of the glasses, "TO THE SEA...TO THE SAILORS BEFORE US...TO (the name of your boat)." A last, long sip by all.

Now pour champagne over the bow to appease King Neptune, and lay a branch of green leaves on the deck to ensure safe returns. (Breaking the bottle across her prow is optional for a recreational vessel, and should be done only if all safety precautions have been taken, and after the bottle has been properly scored for a clean break.)

What in the world does all this have to do with boating safety? Well, I guess it all depends on how superstitious you are. And there's no endeavor that carries with it more superstition than that of going off to sea.

[lustyslogger]

Well, I finally took the Helsen out yesterday. Very different from the Sunbird to say the least.

More to follow. Off to ride the Tweetsie Railroad today.

[Michel]

Great! Let us know about your feelings sailing her.

[lustyslogger]

Great! Let us know about your feelings sailing her.

Woo. What a week end!! I went out both Friday and Sunday. First sail was Friday. When I left the dock the winds (according to my handy dandy Kestrel Weather Station purchased from this fine magazine) were 2.5 kts and the temperature was 86.5. Even in such light winds the boat moved out very well. It tacked well and I was even able to cleat the main and jib, go below to get a water out of the cooler and come back with the boat still on course. About 30 minutes into the sail the winds moved to Memphis I think because they died completely. I still was almost twice as far as I would have been in the Lusty Slogger. I was about a mile from the marina. I bobbled around for another half hour or so and then I noticed some wind in the sails so I headed back. Ghosting took on a whole new dimension!! I had just enough speed to retain steerage and it took about an hour to get back to the marina.

Sunday winds were 4.8 kts at the end of the dock and the temperature was 76 degrees. The boat just ran away. According to my Knot Stick was was hitting 5.5 kts with a wind speed of 7.8 kts. Although close hauled there was no heel in the boat. I think the fastest I ever had the Lusty Slogger was about 3.5 kts. I think I am going to like this boat.

Now, one major difference is that the Lusty Slogger steered like a Formula One car with the slightest change on the tiller lead to a change in direction almost immediately. The Helsen takes rudder changes as mere suggestions and will change course in due time. Furthermore when I pulled out of the slip with the Sunbird I would simply back up with the trolling motor until I was about 10 yards from the slip, cut the motor, push the tiller over and then reverse direction of the motor, going forward until I got to where I wanted to raise sails. The Helsen believes in Newton's Laws and the Laws of Inertia. Stopping the motor and reversing it does not stop the boat and reverse it immediately. Perhaps if I had a 5 hp motor it would be different but the little electric while pushing the boat adequately takes far more time for things to happen. Its all just a matter of learning its characteristics.

All in all, two fun sails.

[Michel]

Those are the good times! You will get the hang of that boat and use her features to your advantage.
Inertia is a good friend. I always use that feature when in approach of the dock. This way I always get to it at the speed I would like to hit it.