On Monday, July 27, 2009, the sailing vessel Alistego finally
got a new log book entry after too long a time.
The weather for the day was for 25 degrees C, light wind in the
AM with winds of 20 kph with higher gusts expected for the
afternoon. So in our typical fashion we decided that it looked
like a good day for sailing. It seems that most days that we go
sailing we get a rousing bit of weather. Our last sail ended
with gusts of 30 kts, short but steep waves of 2 m or so and one
sea sick crew member. Even while motoring downwind to the
marina, we had waves managing to flood the decks and spray into
our faces.
So we got to the marina early (for us) at around 10 AM. Almost
immediately a local sailor came over for a look and a chat and
he told us that on Sunday the winds and waves were both large
and he just managed to get his sails down before the really
rough stuff hit just as he managed to escape to the marina.
Getting a little nervous now, we had her rigged in a little more
than an hour which was not too bad considering we were quite
rusty.
Finally into the water, armed all bilge pumps, check for leaks,
none, start the engine and let it warm up a little. Our marina
is populated with a large number of large and expensive
powerboats and we have to creep along rather close to them to
get out of the marina, so every departure sounds like a pilot
briefing before takeoff. "OK, so if the engine fails, I'll try
to make the fuel dock, if we drift into any gold-platers, try to
fend off, otherwise keep an eye out for traffic." On this day
everything went according to plan and we were thankfully alone
in the lake.
So, out we motored into the lake looking for the wind. Once the
mizzen was up, the engine was shut down and Alistego slowly
turned into the wind. Up through the fore hatch, hook the jib
onto the traveller, run it out, halyard on, and sheets fastened,
so we're good in that department. Now for the mainsail. Halyards
ready, both together, and up she goes, sets nicely. Back to the
cockpit and let's get sailing.
With all possible sail area up we began to move through the
water at a nice pace and feeling quite smug about all the sight
seers passing nearby very slowly to get a good look at us.
Almost noon, so when will the blow hit? I nervously look at all
that sail and mentally calculate how fast we can reef the main,
douse the mizzen, and switch to the smaller jib when the time
came. Look back up at the main, what the he**? None, I mean none
of the luff was attached to the mast in any way shape or form!
Up front again, lower the sail and this time fix the parrel
beads and their lanyards into place. Up goes the sail again and
we're good to go again.
We sailed out into the lake a good long ways doing an estimated
2-3 kts, maybe 4 in the gusts, until we figured we were half way
done sailing for the day and turned around. I was wanting to be
very precise and technical in our handling of the boat so all
tacks followed the same procedure. The mizzen is uncleated
first, next the tiller goes over, while the main is allowed to
swing across the boat. The jib is not touched until it is
backwinded and helping the bow around through the wind. Once
we've made the tack the jib and main are set and finally the
mizzen adjusted. This worked every time even when we had barely
any headway. The sail back to the marina was relaxing to the
extreme, but I was still expecting the wind to develop with
large waves right behind it. It's usually about this point in
our sailing that all heck breaks out. But on this day it was not
to be. We enjoyed the sunshine and views and too soon the marina
was clearly visible in front of our bows.
So off with all sheets except for the mizzen and while she stood
head into the wind, we pulled down Alistego's sails one by one
until there was only the mizzen left and it came down and furled
quietly, as there was no wind left at all. A couple of pulls on
the motor and she came to life and soon we were creeping through
the forest of powerboats having to brake suddenly when a boat
leaving the marina slowed down to look us over while
inadvertently blocking our path back to the ramp! We eventually
managed to make our turn and quickly had the trailer back on the
ramp and the boat lined up on the trailer and "clang"! It seems
the bilge boards were still down and struck the trailer frame as
we approached the ramp. Oh well, live and learn.
Once again ready for the road we drove through town to grab a
bite to eat while everyone turned their heads while we passed
by. Eating and looking out the window I watched as car after car
slowed to look at Alistego. I couldn't help but think," Yup, the
girl still has it, she's one fine looker!"
