Not a dinghy....

[Shawn]

Ordered a new main from Kelly Hanson. They are having a special this month, base price is $395 ($150 off) for a 5 ounce, loose footed main with one reef point. All up with second reef point, 6 ounce fabric, insignia, full battens, headboard and a cunningham cringle was just under $600.

Can't wait to try it out next season. Winter project will be adding hardware on the boom for the second reef point. I'm sure that will make a big difference in heavier air.

Also went with a 200 square foot ,170%, 1.5 ounce upwind hank on drifter with a high cut foot. Between these two sails I will be expanding my available sailing conditions in both directions.

Shawn

[Bob23]

Shawn:
  Let me know how the sail looks when you get it...I might be in the market also.
Bob23

[brackish]

Shawn:
  Let me know how the sail looks when you get it...I might be in the market also.
Bob23

Me too Shawn.  I'm good to go on headsails, but will be thinking about a new main down the road.  Mine is not worn out but I would love to have one cut for loose footed operation and with full battens.  Two sets of reef points would be nice.  Where I sail the second reef point would not be used often, but it is cheap insurance when caught in conditions where it would be necessary. 

[Shawn]

Will do. Toby thought the sails wouldn't be in till January or Feb. Apparently they had a record month and will be lofting 60+ sails.

This summer it seemed I either had loads of wind (20+) or almost none so these two sails will certainly help.

I sail Narragansett Bay. Last sail of the season was very light air and we were doing well with the spinnaker up but didn't have enough sail to go to wind. There were only a couple of sailboats on the whole bay and not a stinkpot in sight. We spent much of the time watching the 12 meter 'Gleam' (US11) having their final sail of the season before they headed into my home port, Wickford Harbor, were Gleam spends the winters. Passed her while she was tied up to the dock, that is one beautiful boat!

Shawn

[Bob23]

That is one beautiful boat! I just found some photos of her...wonderful! A great boat from an age of sail that is history. Have you ever sailed on her, Shawn?
Bob23

[Shawn]

Hi Bob,

Yes, Gleam is fantastic. The man that rebuild Gleam also restored two other 12 meters and a number of other boats. He died a few years ago:

http://www.seascopenewport.com/CruisingWorld.htm

His collection is at:

http://www.seascopenewport.com/fleet.htm

I have never been on Gleam but that would be an amazing sail. Since they have multiple 12 meters in their collection you can charter as crew in one of the boats and be a part of 12 meter 'racing' in Newport.

Shawn

[Bob23]

What a wonderful story but sad that Bob's life ended so young. He surely left his permanent mark in the restoration of those great sailing ships.
Bob23

[brackish]

I have never been on Gleam but that would be an amazing sail. Since they have multiple 12 meters in their collection you can charter as crew in one of the boats and be a part of 12 meter 'racing' in Newport.

Shawn

I missed that one by a year.  Corporation I worked for (Pentair) took their location execs there for a corporate meeting and chartered two 12 meters for a "race", one of those "team building" boondoggles.  My boss, who had no interest in sailing, got to go.  The next year I was promoted to his job.  Meeting that year was in St. Paul, MN, and golf was the only boondoggle event offered.  I hate golf......

Bought my Columbia 8.7 in Warwick, RI.  Close to you?

[Shawn]

Sorry to hear you missed that. I would assume it would be great fun sailing on a 12meter.

Warwick is slightly north of where I sail out of. Growing up it was the next town over.

Shawn

[Shawn]

Was out last weekend with fairly steady 17+ knot onshore winds (higher in the slot between Jamestown and land) and 2-3 foot waves close together. Waves and the wind were not from the same direction.

The wind was forecast to increase. So as a test I decided to head out with my storm jib up and my fully battened National main sail double reefed. Just in case I had the cabin closed up tight and expecting a lot of spray I had my foulies on.

What a difference a year, a new main sail, rigging and experience makes.

What was a fairly wild busy ride and a climatic ending last season ended up being just a stroll in the park this weekend. Last year we were often heading up and constantly playing the main and jib sheets. This year we were moving well with less then 5 degrees of heel and basically didn't touch the sheets once we had them set. No problems tacking and I used the vang to keep the main flat. The waves were slowing us down a bit going to weather, only time it became a problem was on wake from a big boat. That tended to stop us.

Sailing in/out of the wind shadows was easy with no drama at all. The fore deck was soaked from spray but we only got it in the cockpit once or twice.

We were just amazed at how much better the boat (and us) handled similar conditions to last years sail. If anything we might have been a little under canvased. Certainly accomplished my goal of increasing the range of conditions I could sail comfortably in.

Shawn

[Allure2sail]

Hi Shawn:
I'm up near the Kikamuet over in in Swansea cove. We emailed before I believe. I'll be at the Wickford Yacht Club over the Columbus Day weekend. I belong to The the Ocean State Catalina Association group (my last boat). It is our last get together for the season. Let me know if you'll be around.
Bruce
S/V Allure