[Rhodes22-list] 1st Sail of the Season

[Leland]

Okay this is my last post about how great it is to be sailing again, but
today was just spectacular.  Mostly lighter and more variable winds, but the
60+ degree temperatures made me think that Spring may really be here.

One comment about the whisker pole.  I got it primarily for runs in light
winds but thought it might also give me better Genoa shape on broad and beam
reaches.  On the few times I've been able to try it on reaches it didn't
seem to improve performance.  I don't know the wind speed (battery died in
my anenometer today) but I was on a beam reach going 2.7 knots.  The aft end
of the boom was about a foot off the side and telltales were flowing perfect
on both sails.  I connected the whisker pole (retracted all the way in to
six foot) to the outer shroud and eased the Genoa sheet a little to an equal
distance of about six foot from the winch.  That small change from what I
thought was perfect sail shape increased my speed immediately to 3.6 knots. 
Hopefully I'll be able to easily remember that sweet spot for beam reaches. 
Centerboard and poptop were up and the traveler was centered.

Also discovered that the whisker pole stores snuggly between the cabin top
leads and the handrail.

Just thought I'd share.

Lee



Leland wrote:
> 
> 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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