Sailing in August 2010

August 7, 2010

Finally got back out on the boat today. My grandson Matthew and neighbor Bo went with me. I had tried to go out last weekend with Matthew but the wind was blowing really strong and I was worried about getting away from the dock and back with just Matthew to help. Now that he's gone once, I might chance it the next time with him.

We had very little wind today but messed about on the lake anyway. I do need to learn to use the genoa and whisker pole for days like this.

Bo said he enjoyed it and would like to go again. I hope we can get to do that before too long.

August 22, 2010

It was perfect weather for sailing. Mid 70s, and a nice breeze. We didn't get to head to the lake until after 5PM, but there was still a decent breeze. We were on the lake until about 7PM.

Connie was a the helm the majority of the time we were under sail. She was learning about holding the course and keeping close to the wind without letting the sails luft. We both really enjoyed the time.

It was probably the last sail of August. I'm really busy with work right now, and we're going to Washington D.C. on Sunday, and I go to Raleigh from there, so I'll be gone most of next week. Such has been sailing this year - between work, weather and lack of mates, there's been too little sailing. Although at least me strategy of keeping the boat on the lake to maximize sailing opportunities has paid off. Sunday was an excellent case in point. We were able to run over to the lake and sail for a couple of hours before it got dark.

August 27, 2010

My son John & grandson Matthew & I went sailing at 11AM this morning. It was perfect weather, although a mild wind. It was enough to get us around, but nothing too much.

We were in the middle of the lake, Matthew was in the cabin and we heard and felt a loud clunk-clunk. Maybe we hit a log, or maybe the cable for the dagger board broke (the boat has an iron dagger board and I have never even put it down because its not really needed and I didn't want to risk getting it down and not being able to get it up). At any rate Matthew got a little spooked and wanted to go in. After he said he wanted to go in several times, I headed the boat in and called Laura to come and get him. When Matthew was gone, John & I went back out for a couple of hours. We sailed nearly to the end of the lake, tacking the whole way. Coming back, it was wing on wing almost the whole way. We got back down the lake in no time.

John seemed to really enjoy the whole experience, and so, I did too. It was the first time I've used the whisker pole. It worked great. I could have had a bigger foresail on (just had the standard jib) but we did fine with what we had. There's not much time on this lake for changing the rig as you just get set up and have to change because of obstacles or a wind change or something. We went wind on wing only half the length of the lake, then had to beat to get through a narrow spot between "danger" bouys, then we went back to wing on wing for just a few minutes. You're constantly changing the set up on this small lake.

I'm gone the rest of the week, so I'm sure that was the last sail of August. It will be interesting to see what weather September brings, and I'm starting to think about the process I'll go through for hauling out and who I'll get to help (I hope I can get John).