First sail For CS17 152! Plus questions

[Martin Williams]

I took her out for the first time this saturday. Winds were Strong 12-15 knots coming from the south east. I started out reefed all the way to the second reefing point. Now gentlemen be kind because I am a novice sailor, I tried to get the foot of the sail as neatly tied up as possible, I tried to fold, roll, and tie as best as i could figure but the clew end was always coming undone and i had to keep trying to re tie as i went. any sugestions.

[Charlie Jones]

Doggone it- I was IN Rockport on Saturday.. Finished up around noon and had lunch at a picnic table just outside Goose Island State Park. Didn't have a thing I had to do til 6 PM.

The bay look absolutely GORGEOUS as I drove across the Copano bridge.

[Martin Williams]

Charlie,

I am sorry. I thought twice about calling you. But i had that terrible twinge of pride, I really wanted to go out there for the first time on my own. I built her on my own and wanted to sail her first on my own.

I am now completely over that mistake!!!!!!!

I haven't seen the bay look that good in a long time, the color was great, the waves were small, and the wind was really blowing. It wasn't even that hot! It was a day I will never forget.

We are coming down to Rockport again this weekend for Sea-Fair, but I think I may be on Stroller duty with my wife for the majority of saturday. I don't really know yet. Since she was with both kids and her parents for the majority of saturday while i played in the boat, I might have to make up for it this coming weekend, we will have to see what the boss says.

[Designer]

Hi Martin,

I am glad that you had a successful launching and a great ride.

To solve the reefed clew coming out problem. Before you roll up the foot of the sail, fold the clew so that the leech is along the reef line, then roll up the sail and tie it off.

Most new sailors don't flatten the sail with the snotters or sheet in enough when going to windward.

[Martin Williams]

Ahh,

that makes perfect sense. I should have thought of that. It was hidden to me in its obvious-ness. Also do i tie up just the sails or do I tie the sail ties around the spirit?

Graham I should be a poster child for your design. Being a novice sailor and boat builder it goes to show that if I could build it, sail it, and live to tell about it anyone can.

What a great design, It was much more stable than I thought it would be. The boat was so very solid on the water, It was only when i got a little too adventerous and began to push my limits that I felt it was heeling too far over. It was a tremendous day, with almost too much wind to start off with. i am really looking forward to a day with 5 -8 knot winds so i can put up full sails and feel comfortable.

When I take a guest with me, where is it best that they sit. I was thinking either just fore or aft of the thwart. Is this correct? I guess it depends on the conditions, but for them to be "out of the way" and be comfortable would that be the best position? Or would the stern better?

[Hirilonde]

Woohoo, first sail and you made it back in in one piece!  Reefing early never hurts.  You can always shake it out if things are too tame.  Better to get a feel for your boat under control.  Soon 12-15 kt winds will be full sail weather.

I have a little gps on my cell phone and it said 7mph. I believe that is in the 8knot range, it felt like I was flying!

7mph = app. 6kts  A knot is a nautical mile per hour, and a nautical mile is 6076 feet or 1 minute of latitude. The ratio is approximately 1.15 mph/1 kt

[Charlie Jones]

Also do i tie up just the sails or do I tie the sail ties around the spirit?

DO NOT tie the ties around the sprit. Just around the sail. Unless the sail has a bolt rope preventing iot, NEVER tie reefing lines around a boom or sprit. With a bolt rope you must do so, but otherwise, no.