My name's John and I'm a sailaholic

[JMetzner]

I doubt there is a twelve-step process for the disease I now have, but I'm not sure I'd want the treatment.

YOW!!! What a day sailing! After a slow start on the lake with little wind to help us work our way across the lake to Mike's place, the wind came up, the rail went down and off we zipped nearly the full length of the lake. What a rush!!! OK, I'm hooked! All the little sounds from the boat responding to the wind. The creaks and moans, the gurgle of the rudder passing though the water, the wind snapping at the sails. It is all so awesome! When As You Wish gets up to speed, there is some kind of wierd vortex from the aft port corner that generates a stream of air bubbles for 20 feet behind her. Sooooo cool!

A fantastic shakedown cruise for As You Wish. No major problems, just the normal stretching of the helm rope. I ran out of adjustment in the turnbuckle by the end of the day. I could sail, but not hard on the wind. Loading back on the trailer went without a hitch. The extra set of bunks on either side of the keel guided her on perfectly. Some damage to the mainsail on the way home from being wind whipped going down the highway, but even having to make a new mail could not put a damper on a spectacular day on the lake!

Thanks again to Mark and Doreen and Mike and Joan, What a great day!

Here's a pic I forgot to post yesterday. A gift for launching day from Doreen and Laura, yellow sails and all...Thanks again!

--John M.

Fairbanks, AK

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[Mike Pennington]

My fellow Builders,

Proof once again, there is no turning back

[Mike Pennington]

Mark was there too, enjoying a thrill or two.

The wind was much stronger today, and shifting, good practice weather. All skippers and firstmates held up the fleet's honor, gaffers' rule the lake.

[Fintan Murphy]

Enough John, why do you taunt me so :evil:

I come in to work on Monday, which is bad enough, only to be taunted with some of the best weekender launching words and pictures.

Dam, I'm champing at the bit, but nearly there.

I'm glad you had such a good time.

[Dave R1]

John, congratulations on the completion and launching of As You Wish. Looks like a great time. Its nice to have others around to sail with, too.

Keep sending the pictures and stories even if it makes Fintan crazy. I've only been able to sail Julie K once this summer. Tried on Saturday--rained out. Tried again yesterday--couldn't get at the boat ramp and no place to park. :cry: Won't try again today--rain and t-storms again.

Do as much sailing as you can.

Dave

[Bill Paxton]

Congratulations, John. Your boat looks terrific on the water. It's the only boat I know of with yellow sails.

BTW, can you teach me to sail up hill, as shown in the picture above?

:wink:

[Dave Ruedel]

That's upwind uphill!! Congratulations. Now you know why you did it. Fair winds and smooth seas.

[JMetzner]

Dave,

It's not really uphill, that's a function of lattitude. We're nearly 65 degrees North here, Joan must have had her camera on the equator setting...

Bill,

Yep, there's no sneakin' onto the lake with those yellow sails. Mike and Joan were clear across the lake on Wolf Sunday, maybe 3 miles, and knew right away we were back on the lake. Didn't even need to figure out if it was a gaff rig or not, the color told 'em who it was. I really like the yellow sails, kinda makes the color scheme of the boat.

--John M.

Fairbanks, AK.

[Tim Diebert]

Congrats for sure. The colors would have been right at home at the Grateful Dead concert I was at during the weekend. I have never seen so many bright colors in all my life.

Excellent choices.

Great shots.

Have yourself an awesome summer.

You are quite lucky to have some friends to sail with.

Fintans launch pix next......