Sailing the weekender last week - observations

[Fintan Murphy]

Hi guys,

I went sailing twice last year (once just motoring), and finally got the chance to take the weekender out this year.

Good news, a year under the tarp in the back garden had no ill-effects (WBP ain't that bad)

Bad news, I still have to finish the hatches, repaint it, do bits and bobs. Unfortunatly the fairies didn't do it over the winter).

But, if the weather is good enough to work on the boat, then it's good enough to go sailing.  ;D

So me and my mate John went out on Sunday for a leisurely sail, or so we planned

Forecast was for " mild breezes", so we were looking forwards to a mooch around the harbour.

What we got was probably a consistant force 5.  Once we went down the channel, and had the first cup of tea,  I decided to put in a reef.  Am I glad I did!  Hull speed all the way. Watching the big boats heel right over was fun.

Luckly we are both good examples of ballast, so she sailed fairly flat.  John was reporting a good bit of weather helm, so I left the mainsheet out a tad, which improved things significantly.

A cruise ship Independance of the Sea, of the Royal Carribbean line came in,  Man is that a big mother  :o

We finally turned for home and were trying to sail against the tide, upwind.  Fun for a while but we weren't getting anywhere fast.  Eventually fired up the iron sail to get the rest of the way home.

Observations after a year of non-sailing

1. This is one tippy boat.  I have ballast in the forehatch to stop the pounding, but do not stand on the side when you are getting off, she will tip right over.

2. She can't point worth a dam. I must revisit Tim Dieberts Centerboard idea, because it really has merit

3. On a similar note, she crabs like a very crabby thing.  The amount of slippage is annoying when you are trying to work your way windwards.  Tim, here I come.

4. I love sailing  ;D

5. I am going to be happy to keep this boat for another few years yet.  The limitations can be worked out, worked around, or just lived with.  I have no need for a bigger boat for the amount and type of sailing I do ( or am allowed to do  - no weekends away for me )

Also I noticed that I was fairly frightened at the start.  I will fire a motorbike around the place at good speeds, but I was nervous on the boat at about 5knts.  I finally worked out why.  I was on the sheets and John was helming.  As soon as we swapped over I was fine.  Control Freak?...... me?..... never!  ;D

So, anybody got a link to Tim's website where he details his centreboard and ballast?

[Frank Hagan]

Check your mast angle for the weather helm issue.  That will also affect your pointing ability. 

I always stepped from the dock onto the seat, and never on the side decks!  Ray added extra ballast mid-ship to provide more stability when he was up on the foredeck, but I just made sure I was always "leaning in" toward the centerline of the boat.

[Kurt_Ayres]

Greetings!

When you hear from Tim, would you please share his response here on the forum?  I'm interested in the same subject.

Thank you!

Kurt Ayres

Avon, Illinois