Floridaze Sails

[K3v1n]

Holy cow what a day!
I'm sore, I'm tired and I'm sunburned.

Well we launched at a public ramp in what is called Cedar Run, it was free but very exposed to a stiff breeze from the SSW. Took about 45 minutes to get everything hooked up and ready. Had a bit of a problem getting her off the trailer, forgot about the tilt thing for some reason, I guess it was the stress of the moment.

Boats finally slides off and I pull away and park. My wife is tending the lines and my daughter is on board as the waves try to push her back up the ramp. A fellow watching helped us push her back out, thanks, I just said a quick goodbye and hopped aboard and pushed off.

I quickly started the motor, good thing it was a long shaft as I couldn't lower the motor mount because I had tied the motor, as they had told me so I don't loose it if it loosens up. With the prop just about in the water we slowly backed away from the looming sod banks of the salt marsh. Did I fail to mention that we had also been fighting off Green Head flies as well during the launch?



I scrambled to untie the rope and drop the outboard. As I cut the tiller hard, a sound like the prop hitting the rudder blade pierced my ears. As the swells bounced us up and down and the sails flapped wildly in the wind, the thought of all the blades being torn off the lower unit hit my mind just about the same moment  the onset of that queasy seasick feeling hit.

But all was well with the prop and finally we steamed away from the dock and land. I planned to get a bit of distance before we tried to raise the main sail. My daughter was feeling a bit ill as was I so we just relaxed as we puttered out. It wasn't long before we raised the sail and was off headed ENE and up toward the Manahawkin bay bridge which was close by to where we planned to dock at my wife's uncle home on a lagoon.



We made it pretty quickly around the point and around a small island, headed toward the bridge under only the mainsail. We both were starting to feel better as I noticed we forgot to put in the battens. Darn, and where are the battens? Yes in a sail bag down the end of the port berth. Also at this time I should mention that we brought 'WAY TOO MUCH STUFF WITH US',  The cabin was a mess, any thoughts we had about hanging out in the cabin relaxing, reading or whatever was thrown out the porthole as we both became sicker when rummaging around below decks.


When near the bridge we veered off and then turned back as we tried out tacking southward into the wind. Our goal was to get close to the island we passed so we could anchor up and drop the sail to put in the battens. The wind had to be blowing 15 to 20 mph so it was a bit choppy and as we paralleled the channel we were pounded by wakes off of large power boats. I was able to pull the sail bag out of the lazarette hatch but still had to go in and dig out the anchor which was down in that little compartment in the forepeak that these older Com-Pac's have.



So we anchored, which was fun in it self as my daughter attempted to keep our bow in the wind I scampered up to the bow. We did what we had to and then pulled the hook because we were just bouncing all over the place from boat wakes. With sail back up we turned back toward the bridge and then into a large cove area that held several lagoon opening, one of which was the one we wanted. At this point I figured what the heck, let's put up the jib. So up she went and things went fine, the boat seemed to sail better which I knew since the jib does help to balance things out. We did well until on one tack we lost the port sheet out of the pad eye. So up onto the cabin, fetch the line and run it back around everything and into the pad eye.



About this time is when everything finally started to click. We had a good length of water that we could sail back and forth with the wind at our beam. My daughter took over the tiller as I worked the sails. We sailed back and forth from the main channel toward a small beach several times. She had a blast wrestling the tiller we both hands as we started to get 'Floridaze' to really heel over and get some speed. Eventually we got hungry and had to use the restroom so we headed in. First time in a lagoon we easily puttered in and up to the dock. Total time out was about three hours.



As I type this I'm exhausted and still feeling a bit queasy so please forgive any bad grammar and such but I wanted to get it all down while it was still fresh in my mind.

PS. We're heading back out tomorrow.

-Kevin

[mgoller]

Kevin,
Man, I'm so impressed with what you have done with an old boat.  Your chronicles of the restoration are going to be a big help and inspiration for more sailors finding these boats in future years under trees and in barns.
Great story on your sail.  Was this your first sail?  It's fun to write all the funny little details that are left out by stories that only recite the victory. 
The day you don't forget something or have something come undone when sailing, drop me a note.
Keep up the writing.

[sawyer]

KEVIN, great story, and probably not so different as everyones first time out with our new boats. My big crime besides not battens was not downhauling the main and having the boom slide up the mast about 18 inches. When the sail fills like a big fat baloon, that high up, the boat really likes to heel over. Sounds like you had a great time, photos were great, I always love to see a kid at the tiller, getting a new generation of sailors started. All that work we watched you do has come to fruition and the fun has begun.  Going below while underway can be harrowing and can bring on the queasiness instantly. Been there, done that for sure.  When I was down sailing the Gulf this spring, the water was rough at times but I never had a bit of sickness. However, when I anchored in a cove overnight and slept below, even though the water was like a mirror, I had a terrific headache in the morning and after I had some PBJ and fruit and water in the morning, I felt a bit queasy until noon or so even while in the protection of the islands in fairly calm waters.  I think that it just catches you a the right time.  But for the mosquitos, I may have tried to sleep up on the cockpit benches..........  That will have to be worked out in the future, below is a little snug for me, even alone, and I too like to haul way to much stuff.  Have to have fishing gear, must have water and drinks, and enough food in case I get de-masted and have to stay out a month, snorkel, fins, mask, all the good stuff...yeah, she sets low in the water, but she sails stiffly, she's a "Com-pac" yacht...................   
Good sailing to ya...............................                                         Doug.....      /b]

[Paul]

Congratulations!!!

You certainly deserve it!  I've enjoyed reading all your posts regarding Floridaze restoration.  Has inspired me to take action.

As for the maiden voyage, it's always a steep learning curve.  A figure eight stopper knot is great for the sheets.  Now the phrase, "a place for everything and everything in its place" takes on new meaning, eh?  That's truely a challenge on our little 16's.

Keep on sailing!  Keep on posting!

Thanks for your input

[B.Hart]

   WAY TO GO !!!  Another com-pac returns from the grave. There's a special feeling about restoring a boat and then getting to use it.   I know floridaze will bring you many years of enjoyment and give you that special feeling every time you sail her. Happy sailing!