The triple digit heat index finally broke and with predicted ENE 10 mph winds, I planned on sailing the Orion after church today. Of course the rain that wasn't predicted to arrive until 6, arrived at noon, putting my plans to bed. I spent the afternoon looking at Ranger Tugs when Joanie asked if I was going to sail. A look out the back showed a sunny pleasant day. A look out the front showed storm clouds and rain. Radar showed rain in town and on the river, but clear over us and the creek. I decided a sail on the creek was the way to go. With the main up and the boat tugging at her dock lines, I let her loose and my Compac 19 and I glided out of the cove and into the creek where the strong wind heeled us over and we took off like a rocket. Okay a slow rocket, but a fast sailboat. We headed down the creek toward the bridge and rain until tacking 180* and back up stream toward Kershaw creek. A port tack extremely too close to shore and the tall seagrass kept us on Greens creek where sailed wing on wing for the next mile until a starboard tack brought us into an area that is always slow to get out of. Gliding up the creek the trees blocked the stiff wind and the biting flies feasted on my ankles. The cloud cover kept the heat away so while ghosting along I stored the bimini before spinning the boat around to start the long process of tacking to get back to the main creek. I had told Joanie I'd be gone an hour or so, that time frame had already passed and I had over a mile to the cove and the winds were starting their evening routine of settling down. After tacking back and forth into the breeze and dodging all the Labor Day weekend fishermen and boaters for 2 1/2 hours, we were almost back to our cove. With the genny furled, we coasted in while I dropped and stored the main. A pull on the tiller to port had us making a U turn and put us alongside the dock just as the clouds started to let loose. I stepped off the boat and secured her lines before installing the sail cover and raising the bimini.
I'm glad I got my arse off the couch and went out. It was a pleasant sail without a single mishap. Quite unusual for me.
no mishaps. remarkable!
And no motor power? Very good!
Steve, once in a lifetime event for me.
Fish, 90% of the time I can sail away from the dock and as long as I get up enough speed I can coast back in.
Winds are already approaching 20mph today and the lawn needs mowing so no sailing.
Nice! I would take the wind, rain and temps. Still locked in the longest run of heat advisories I've ever experienced here, no wind, rain and temps in the high 90'S. We walked three miles yesterday mostly in the dark, then drove up to the boat to finish the installation of the new running rigging and start the motor. I've promised to start that motor at least every two weeks and it has been flawless since replacing the carb. My slip is almost impossible to leave or approach without it. We got out of there by 10:00 AM and retreated to the conditioned air.
You're quite lucky to have the boat floating in the back yard.
in our neck of the woods its been 100 degrees. puts a crimp in the sailing although friday looks good. also im going to send you some CLR pics. maybe you can post them