[Rhodes22-list] 1st Sail of the Season

[Leland]

Rory,

I think "soon" may be today.  If yesterday was exciting and fun, today was
perfect.  Replaced my stocking cap with ear muffs and a baseball cap, and
replaced my mittens with gloves--didn't get uncomfortable at all during
about 2 hours of sailing and 30 minutes of motoring.

The forecast was for a 2 mph wind, which usually means a zero mph wind as it
changes directions.  However, wind was steady out of the north at 5 knots
and chop was less than a foot.

Starboard tack, full main, Genoa to outside shroud (130%?), board up, poptop
up, tiller locked at 3 degrees to the wind, 70 degree close reach measured
by compass, 3 degree heel, speed at 3.5 knots.  Literally did not touch the
tiller for an hour until it was time to tack.

Port tack, same conditions except about a 6 degree heel due to the motor. 
Let out the full Genoa to 170% and speed picked up to 3.8 knots.  Didn't
touch the tiller again until I was back at the marina.

Cruise control almost the entire way.  There can't be an easier boat to sail
than a Rhodes.

Forecast for tomorrow:  a little more warm and a little more windy.  I think
it's time you put her in the water.  Oxford might even be warmer.

Lee



R Orkin wrote:
> 
> A brave soul in this weather.. :-)
> We just looked at all that wind and said "soon"
>                        Rory
> 
> 
> Leland wrote:
>> 
>> Whenever my boat is dry-docked, we seem to get unseasonably perfect
>> sailing weather.  This year I decided to keep my boat in the water and
>> haven't been sailing once since early November.  Today I swore I'd go out
>> come hell or high water.
>> 
>> The hellish part was mostly that my motor wouldn't start, but after
>> losing a socket and screwdriver bit in the water (I need a big magnet to
>> fish those things out), I was able to pull start the motor to life.
>> 
>> Temperatures in and out of the water were about 45 degrees, although even
>> with the wind chill I was quite comfortable in ski clothes.  We had some
>> gusts but the wind was pretty steady between 10 and 12 knots, and chop
>> was manageable at about 2 to 3 foot.
>> 
>> I had forgot how much fun sailing is.  I had the poptop up and too much
>> sail out for the conditions, but I never broached and the excessive
>> heeling rarely slowed me down below 5 knots.  It was that exciting kind
>> of sailing where it's more fun than scary.
>> 
>> As easy as the Rhodes is to sail it's still a two-handed job.  I'm
>> recovering from some minor hand surgery and it was not a pretty sight
>> when it came time to furl-in the sails.  Now that I know I can use my
>> teeth to hold a furling line, I may never need to put my beer down again.
>> 
>> Weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday looks even better.
>> 
>> Life is good.
>> 
>> Lee
>> 1986 Rhodes22  At Ease
>> Kent Island, MD
>> 
>> 
> 
> 

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