Sunday's Sail

[Spartan]

I went sailing yesterday, the first chance to get back out sailing since Memorial Day.   I ended up single handed as the boys had plans with a friend visiting from VA and my daughter had softball practice.  I've really leaned out my preparation process (occupational hazard as a process improvement professional).
I pack a cooler, my two batteries, my sails and a small duffle with vhf radio, MP3 player/portable speaker and a change of clothes.

I was a bit concerned about the weather; the forecast was calling for overcast, 10-15mph winds from the south, but 50% chance of scattered thunderstorms from 3-7pm.  I almost bailed out 30 mins into the hour drive to the lake when I hit a patch of rain, but I figured worst case I could work on the running lights if I couldn't sail.  Good thing I didn't as it turned out no rain or storms and good steady wind. 

The sailing was good, with the steady winds.  Usually it comes from a westerly direction so lots of north/south sailing.  Yesterday it was from the south east, and later shifting to south.  Lake Arthur is a mostly a long skinny lake that runs east to west, and with the southerly winds it made for some nice long runs. 

I had been noticing lately the I have to steer about 5-10 degrees off cent to go straight and I also noticed that I am going to need the common "rudder bushing repair".  There is definite slop in the steering control.  The wind direction did cause some swirling on my return trip to the marina there is a area near Nealy's point where this usually happens, it was extra swirly yesterday. It was funny to watch the wind fill the jib, shift to on the nose and then backwind the jib then start all over again. 

After a few hours sailing I tied up in my slip and cleaned up, did some de-cluttering of my ditty bag.   I noticed the slips were almost all full and decided to take a walk around and see how many CP-16's there were this year.  In years past there were at least half a dozen.  I only found one other (picture coming soon) this year.  After my stroll I did a quick check of the running lights, all work I just need to wire in a switch panel, and I may replace the two color light (red/green) on the bow as mine is white/green, as the red filter has faded.  I stretched out in the cockpit on my cushions and folding seat for about half an hour and listened to some music and watched the other boats go in and out.  After the proper relaxation I packed up in 5 mins and headed home.

A good day for sure. (pictures comming soon)

[Spartan]

Here's a couple of pictures from this weekend:

The only other CP16 at the marina



My still clean looking little ship:

[Greene]

Just a clean classy sailboat.  Gotta love those Com-Pac lines.

Mike

[kearns]

Spartan,

I tried to respond your inquiry a few weeks ago, but I think I failed to hit the submit button.  Sorry.  I'm the fellow from Pittsburgh who posted about restoring a 1987 CP16-II over the winter.  You asked if I sailed at Moraine.  Long story short.  No ... I'm sailing the CP-16 at Pymatuning out of the Century Sailing Club.  A great place with a wonderful plot of land, a great club house, and good wind on Pymatuning most of the time.  I did sail at Moraine for many years.  I was part of the Flying Scot fleet that sails out of Watt's Bay.  When we sold the Scot 5 years ago and moved up to a bigger boat, I began a sojourn of sorts, looking for a good place to sail.  Two boats and several lakes later, I found myself back at Moraine with a Daysailer 17 and, until this year, I was sailing out of the parking lot at the public launch near your slip at Davis Hollow.

I love the convenience of Moraine to Pittsburgh, but frankly I never liked the lake that much.  The wind is light most of the time and when it does blow it is from five directions at the same time.  I may come back some day, when I again get tired of driving two hours to Pymatuning.  But for the time being I enjoy that lake and find that it is worth the drive.  If you are looking for a good club, the Century Club is great. Relatively informal, not stuffy, affordable, and a great location.   But ... the convenience factor is very much a disadvantage.

Happy sailing.  You seem to love the boat and the experience.  Best wishes.

Kevin

[Spartan]

Thanks Kevin,

you are certainly correct about the wind at Moraine - especially from the marina out to watts bay.  I do love to get to the lake for sailing and relaxation, but the adventure factor is low.  But being so busy with teenage kids this seems to work well.  In a couple of years my boys will be off to college then I migh have some more time.  I have sailed with friends at Presque Isle in Erie PA, the bay there might be fun for a CP 16 but it's a good 2 hours from home.

Cheers