Last Sail Of The Year???

lustyslogger · Post by **lustyslogger** » 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.

Michel · Post by **Michel** » Thu Nov 12, 2015 10:25 am

It was a pleasure to read this short story! You always say that making videos is not your forte but... Telling your stories might be your special talent.

Thanks for sharing that. It made me dream about sailing.

lustyslogger · Post by **lustyslogger** » Thu Nov 12, 2015 10:37 am

Michel wrote:It was a pleasure to read this short story! You always say that making videos is not your forte but... Telling your stories might be your special talent.

Thanks for sharing that. It made me dream about sailing.

Well, this has always been my secret dream

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x10fsh ... rain_music

Michel · Post by **Michel** » Thu Nov 12, 2015 11:19 am

Well writing a nice article for SCA would be a good start!

Michel · Post by **Michel** » Thu Nov 12, 2015 11:20 am

Oh and that period of the Beatles was simply the best!

lustyslogger · Post by **lustyslogger** » Thu Nov 12, 2015 12:08 pm

Michel wrote:Oh and that period of the Beatles was simply the best!

Josh prints most of my letters to the editor that I submit but I don't really have anything interesting to write about that others haven't already covered. Your article was good but I could never reach that level. I am much better at writing one liners than an entire play. I sincerely appreciate your kind words however.

I was never fortunate enough to see them live but I did see an excellent tribute band that really had you believing it was them live on that stage. I also saw Ringo's All Starr Band live and that was like seeing The Beatles, Procol Harum, Cream, The Kinks and a few others all live since they played each other's music.

Michel · Post by **Michel** » Thu Nov 12, 2015 1:02 pm

Your article was good but I could never reach that level. I am much better at writing one liners than an entire play. I sincerely appreciate your kind words however.

You are much better than your realise then. Sincerely.

You have the thing with words. Everybody will tell the same.

lustyslogger · Post by **lustyslogger** » Thu Nov 12, 2015 1:09 pm

Michel wrote:
Your article was good but I could never reach that level. I am much better at writing one liners than an entire play. I sincerely appreciate your kind words however.
You are much better than your realise then. Sincerely. You have the thing with words. Everybody will tell the same.

Now you have me blushing!!!!

Michel · Post by **Michel** » Sun Nov 15, 2015 8:51 am

Winter will be long! We need sailing stories. Real people stories.

lustyslogger · Post by **lustyslogger** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 5:46 am

Michel wrote:
Winter will be long! We need sailing stories. Real people stories.

Reading the book advertised in SCA "Bucking the Tide". Interestingly he is sailing in the same area as was written about in "The Compleat Cruiser" by L Francis Herreshoff. Herreshoff had a much more lenient view of the seas and wind conditions than one will find in this book!

Last Sail Of The Year???

Last Sail Of The Year???

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