Sailing Report for the SY Saralee

[Craig]

Got out for the first time today. The winds were 15-20 out of the SW all afternoon and fairly steady. I singled handed as my regular mate had an operation on Friday and Saralee didn't want to go out. I read Berry's post on the longer jib clubs and let me tell you what a difference they make. I didn't mess with the GPS as it was windy and a bit rough, but damn does that full length club make a difference. Much better sail control. It sure stopped the sawing of the wheel. You can lash the wheel and steer with the sail or just let her work the seaway and never touch the helm. I ran all afternoon with the rail in the water. She was so stable that I just held her down and let the water run over the comings in some instances. She was more stable then I have ever experienced with her. On launch I forgot to put in the plugs, yes I know "again", but, it is quite cool to have the only Vac with twin fountians in the cockpit though The bilge pump works fine! Used it on launch and then shipped so much water fooling around that I had to pump her twice out on the Bay.

The charter schooners from Destin were all out also. We played gaffer tag over near the shallows. I can out run the big one, the Clements, but the little ones are too fast. Or, they cheat and motor sail even in brisk winds.

Once I was tooling along and dropped into a trough and had a little wave broke over the deck. Never had that happen before.

All in all a great day! BUt, what sailing day isn't? What did the rest of you do?

[Guest]

Well, it's nice to hear you have finally made it on the water, down in the sunny south, where you are afforded year round boating.

Okay, if you really want to know about my day, I was doing the family reunion deal, with fewer folks showing up each year. And I do have pictures of mine, consisting of a free range pig, shrimp cooked in gravy sauce, many greens all cooooooooked in fat back seasoning, and to top it off the good old country ladies cooked up deserts consisting of lemon pound cake, chocolate pie, grape hull pie, brownies, bannana pudding, and such the likes of trash to fill your tummy. 8)

I did not fight the usual traffic of the folks forgetting what the weekend was all about, and thats the special weekend honoring the vets and the people that serve this country. Thanks to one and all, here and those that have gone before us......some that we know and some that we only know by names in the history books.

[Barry Pyeatt]

I'm really jealous, we certainly could have used some of the spare wind you had blowing around you. Ours was more like a mill pond with some patches of ripples from little puffs until it died completely. I shouldn't say completely because we could make way all day long, but it wasn't much of a trail off the rudder. :cry:

Sounds like a great outing.

[Tim Diebert]

Craig. Nice. Sounds like a perfect day. I would love to see a VAC in conditions like that.

Oyster, still wiping drool off the keyboard.

Barry, the pix and the sun were grand...too bad about the lack of moving air.

Worked on mine all day today, tomorrow is sailing day....and I am afeared it will be much like yours. I am almost gaurenteed the afternoon thermals....but probably nothing steady. Dusting off the old bathing suit and going to try the new swin ladder for the first time. 90 here today, tomorrow the same. Melts Canadians that. If it is dead calm we might head for one of the beaches, drink beer, read and swim. :silly:

[Mike Pennington]

Good for you Craig, your still the saltyest. :wink:

The Harding Lake Fleet is gathering for the weekend. I sailed Mark's Weekender for the first time this evening, fun little boat. Mark gave me my own spot at his dock, today. I'm very flattered and greatful :shock: Now I can leave my boat in the water overnight and not have to worry about her.

I'm glad you had a great time, and tell Mrs. Saralee to get better from us Alaskans. Good firstmates are hard to come by.

Mike