[Rhodes22-list] First few sails

[Geoff Farrell]

Hank: If you watched me at the helm you wouldn't be making fender jokes.

On Tue, Mar 15, 2011 at 9:18 AM, Hank <hnw555 at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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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> >
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