Forecast for the day, NW 5-10 mph, yeah sounds like a lazy day of sailing....maybe if it drops off to much I'll just anchor up, take in the sun and make up some lashing lines needed for various tasks around the boat(I grab up my new 5/16 and 3/8 lines for the task).......................................NOT!!!!!!!!! How about a steady 15-20 mph breeze with gusts well over 30
I sailed up the St. Johns from Greencove Springs to NAS JAX which is about 15 miles one way. It was pretty much a straight shot both ways broad reach going up, close reach to beat going back down depending on the very shifty and gusty wind. The keel cable she did sing the whole time. The wife was unfortunately terrified on the way back as the wind really picked up and I spent a good part of that trip avoiding knock downs, I should have reefed the main or dropped the jib but.................the speed, I just can't give it up for a few gust that are to much. The new bilge worked perfect which is unfortunate because I thought I had the rudder shaft leak problem solved and when your laid over at 45 degrees + the water just runs out the bilge and around the lee side of the boat. I think I have the wife talked back into going again after discussing what I could/should have done to make the ride more pleasant, she really enjoyed the ride when we were not fighting off knock downs. I also need to work on the balance of the boat, it requires to much rudder input to keep it in a straight line in moderate to heavy breezes, I raised the keel several time to try and move the center of resistance back but it never was enough. I'll try raking the mast forward and moving some weight forward to get the main farther out in front. To top it off the motor which cranked easily twice during the day refused to crank coming in forcing us to literally drift in just before dark as the winds dropped off to zero. You know, the rudder when pulled up to the retracted position, makes a fine flipper
It was great fun......for me anyways.
I also check the weather channel and the local weather channels in the hope of get at least a general idea of what's going to happen. Mind you I'm not complaining about the weather because I'm a heavy weather kind of guy just noting how so very far off they all were. Next time I'll turn on the VHF as soon as I start to stand the rigging and perhaps I will at least get a clue as we are pulling out from the dock.