April Sailing

[Brent]

After the long wait for the winter thaw here is the opportunity to share your spring sailing stories. Please have at this thread and fill it with your adventures.

I will start off...

[Brent]

Sunday dawned warm and clear. The early morning whisper of wind for told fresh winds for the afternoon. Arriving at Taylorsville Lake a visual check of the lake surface suggested steady but moderate wind. By the time the boat was launched the wind was rattling around the canyons and white caps where running straight at the launch site. After some debate about how strong is it really I choose to reef the boat and set off. Reefing was clearly the right choice as the wind was gusting enough to put the boat on its rail even when reefed. About 6 miles of tacking into the wind put boat and skipper in the lee of some closely spaced hills, moderating the wind enough to warrant shaking out the reefs. This is when the picture was taken. A good hour of gentle sailing between the hills was had, cruising along slow but steadily watching the eagles nest and the spring flower a buzz with energy.

Turning towards home, the wind at my back, and out of the shelter of the hemmed in canyon the full press of the breeze was on us. The boat was up on plane with spray flying away from the bow, well into the double digits. The upwind course that took maybe two hours was unraveled in about 20 minutes of heart pounding rush. I had to turn back into the wind and do it again.

In due course the time to pull out came and final approach to the ramp and dock was made. Again the wind was directly onto the dock and strong enough to froth the lake surface. The boat tacked back and forth several times running at speed while waiting for the ramp to clear and then with a rush onto the downwind run into the dock. With the lee shore approaching fast the boat headed up nicely at the last minute dropping speed to sweetly come along side the dock with the full rush of the wind rattling the sails as the mooring lines were made fast.

A great way to start April.

[Brent]

April Sailing

[Joe Nelson CS#35]

Nice work Brent!

I will have my first sail of the season on tax day.

cant wait!!!

[Norman Colter]

G'day All,

Further south than Ray, we got snow last night too. But in my heart and soul I sail everyday. Soon.

Norm

[Brent]

Recently I made a quick decision to do an overnight at Kentucky Lake. Leaving after work got me to the ramp after dark. I launched, rowed a few dozen yards into a quiet corner of the cove and dropped anchor for the night.

Dawn revealed I was anchored near a small fleet of Sea Pearls! I went over and introduced myself, and we sailed together for a while that day.