Mid May Sailing Vacation Day

[Spartan]

With a mid May Birthday I have a tradition of taking a vacation day to go sailing.  This year's day was last Friday.  Pre-Memorial weekday sail usually means I'll have the lake pretty much to myself.  There were about half a dozen fishermen out and later in the day 2 or 3 other sailboats joined in.  Weather was comfortable sunny and mid 70's but not much wind.

I started they day by loading up lunch, marine battery, trolling motor, pfd, boat cushions etc.  Hit the McDonald's for breakfast sandwhich and then stopped at Advanced Auto to pick up a second battery.  The drive from my home to Moraine State Park (Lake Arthur) where Spartan is moored takes a little less than an hour. 

Lugging marine batteries is not fun, so this time I had put my furniture dolly in the car, made it a breeze to roll the batteries from the parking lot over to the boat.  I put the smaller (140 aH) one in the lazzertte area and the larger (160aH) one under the bridge deck. 

Here is a picture of Spartan in her slip along with some of the neighbors :





I had three projects I wanted to complete before heading out for a sail.  First was to install the recently repaired tiller, second replace the old mainsheet with a new one, and third was to add a block to the boom end for the outhaul.  See picture below :




I clamped on the 55lbs thrust trolling motor, connected to battery and silently headed out of the marina.  After clearing the marina I had the typical deck dance to hoist the sails, starting to think that aft lead haylards may be a good thing along with a jib downhaul.  Had about 5 hours of sailing in very light winds 3-5 mph but did manage my way to the vacant north shore beach, starting this weekend there will be lots of swimmers on the weekends.
Wind died around 3:30 so that gave me a good chance to see how well the trolling could get me back about two miles.  Battery lasted the whole way back didn't have GPS with me to get speed and actual mileage, need to remember that for next trip.  However I do know I can motor back and forth from the beach to marina with one battery.

Here's a shot from cockpit under sail:


Headed back home around 5:30 in time to pick up my 16 year boys after baseball practice and head out for some wings and to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates (what other team would a sailor watch) almost get not hit by Jason Verlander.  So another great mid-May vacation day.

[jthatcher]

hi Tom.. great story!   looks like you had a beautiful day.   I had the opportunity to sail at Moraine a long time ago..  college years with a friend whose families raced their sunfish up there..  you would think that i could remember her name!  ah yes..  jane - just like my mom     there wasn't a whole lot of wind that day either, but who cares when you are on a sunfish with Jane!      

are your boys interested in the boat or is this going to be a solo experience for the most part?   jt

[Spartan]

Thanks JT,

If you are every in the area let me know, always willing to take crew or guest captains.

Thanks JT, The boys and my 13 year old daugther all  have some level of interest, but have lots of activities and interests that make timing a challenge.
The Mrs. has none just happy to have us out of the house for a while.

[Bob23]

Great tale, Tom:
   Like you, my Admiral has no interest in being on the water but, like most Admirals, she's good at barking out orders! My kids are older (Chris 30, Joanna 27) and both like to get out for an occasional sail with the old man...or so they lead me to believe.
   That's a good tradition to take your birthday off from work. I've been doing the same thing for many years only, being a March-er, it's a bit too cold here in NJ to sail so a row or bike ride is in order.
   Thanks for sharing your adventures...looking forward to more!
bob23

[jthatcher]

thanks for the invite, Tom.. just might take you up on that one of these days!  we don't get out that way all that much at this point in life, but one never knows..   and, if you ever get out to new jersey,  let us know.  either bob or I will be sure to share barnegat bay with you..   jt