First couple times out!

[jraaft]

Hey all,

So I'm excited to say that I've finally gotten to sail my CP16 a few times!  It's taken a little getting used to, but I'm definitely enjoying it!

The first time out was quite the adventure! Being fairly new to both sailing and using outboard motors, it was a learning experience that I won't soon forget.  Getting the boat rigged and launched wasn't too bad; backing up the trailer did take me a little while, as I had never backed up a trailer before, but eventually I did get it in the water (and fortunately the launch ramp was not busy at all).  Once it was in the water, my dad and I climbed aboard and off we went.  We fired up the outboard, got about 100 yards out, and it stalled.  We kept trying to get it to run, and it would start for a second or two and cut off again.  So, my dad (who had never been on a sailboat before) asks if I can hoist the sails and sail out of the creek.  I was not too comfortable doing that, as it was a narrow creek, but tried without much success.  We tried for about 20 minutes to get down the creek, but ended up just sort of drifting and not really getting anywhere. We eventually gave up and decided to try getting back to the ramp, still without much success.  Finally, after messing around, we realized on top of the gas cap, there was a breather vent for the motor; we loosened the vent, the motor fired right up and continued running!  So, with that figured out, we decided to go back out after all.  We motored out of the creek onto the Rappahannock River, and then cut off the motor and hoisted the sails.  It was a pretty windy day, and I was kind of struggling, so we ended up sailing on just the main, but managed to get around and had a blast for about an hour.  Since it was starting to get cloudy, we decided to motor back to the launch ramp and got the boat back on the trailer, took the mast down and got it all secured about 20 minutes before it started pouring.

A couple weeks later I was able to take the boat out a second time with my step grandfather who has more experience sailing.  That time went much more smoothly, and we had a great day sailing on the Potomac.  The only issue we had was, out in the middle of the potomac, my tiller split in half.  Fortunately, I had some duct tape on board and was able to temporarily fix it, and enjoy sailing for a few more hours. 

I'm hoping to get out a couple more times before the season ends, but all in all it's been great getting out and I'm really enjoying my CP16!

[hinmo]

Sounds like your learning and having some fun at the same time.

You never stop learning - tonite I tried sailing with the jib only (put a furler on it this past season....works great in combo with the main), it really sucked with the jib only....lessons learned, ended up motoring in.....lessons learned!

[Eric]

Nice post , jraaft .  There is nothing like the first sail, your boat cruising along without motor. 
I guess tillers can be added to the list of things duct tape can fix!!

[deisher6]

Duc tape, don't leave the dock without it!  (pliers, wire cutters, wire, line, pins and cotter keys etc) but especially duc tape!
regards charlie

[ChuckD]

jraaft,
Thank you for the report!
Please keep us updated. (As a new CP16 sailor myself, I have a keen interest!)

Chuck

[MKBLK]

jraaft,

It won't be long before you're sailing like a pro. I can tell you from experience, almost every trip out turns into an adventure. As long as you return safe and sound, you'll have another tale to tell. Don't believe me? Check out The Log of Pegasus for the sordid details!

Marty K.
81 CP16 Pegasus