[Rhodes22-list] First few sails

[Hank]

Geoff,

Two comments.  First, your fenders are a bit inadequate.  You might want to
get some more.  :-)  Second, them sharks down there are really big!!

Hank

On Tue, Mar 15, 2011 at 10:13 AM, Geoff Farrell
<geoffreylfarrell at gmail.com>wrote:

> Okay Rummy. I should be sailing right now but I have been worn down by your
> appeals for sailing conversation. But, I am going to keep this short
> because
> I really do want to go out for a sail soon.
>
> It took me three days to prep the boat for launching because people kept
> coming over to see the boat, crawl through it, admire it, etc. I felt like
> I
> was displaying her at a boat show.
>
> The launch went smoothly; we didn’t even need the extension. It was a bit
> unnerving as somehow just about everyone in our condo development got wind
> of the launch and either showed up at the ramp or lined the sides of the
> marina as I motored to the slip. I thought I was a float (afloat?) in a
> parade.
>
> We stepped the mast on the water and it came up without a hitch, although I
> won’t admit how long it took me to complete the rigging process. One very
> encouraging thing- after we were done I had a long time sailor, captain,
> and
> racer come to check out the rigging and he said he wouldn’t adjust
> anything we did without first going for a sail and observing the rigging.
> That made me feel good.
>
> First sail I was a bit sloppy but the boat sailed like a dream despite my
> ineptitude. My wife and I could handle the tiller with just one finger. I
> completely forgot to lower the CB until we had been out a couple of hours.
> So much fun.
>
> We've been sailing at every opportunity. I was hesitant (afraid) to let the
> full 175 out during the first three or so sails. But, then I finally got up
> the nerve, and, wow. It is exhilarating! I can't believe how well this boat
> sails. It seems so well balanced. During our last sail (Sunday) I used the
> captain's seats for the first time. Now that's living.
>
> All our sailing thus far has been in Mobile Bay. It's a very large bay. My
> short term goal is to start sailing early enough in the day so that I can
> go
> far enough to see the other shore and still return by sunset. So far I
> haven't been able to see the western shore but the chart shows it so I'm
> assuming it's there.
>
> My wife Joyce has really taken to sailing and is enjoying it very much. I
> think she had a worse case scenario in her mind but has been pleasantly
> surprised by the stability and comfort of the boat and the pure fun of
> sailing.
>
> I've added pics to my album at:
>
>
> https://picasaweb.google.com/geoffreylfarrell/Rhodes22?authkey=Gv1sRgCKL8sbTOlv-LPg&feat=directlink
>
>
> Geoff
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