Pre-July 4th Weekend
Meg, my son and I went for a nice sail on Saturday afternoon. It was a gusty and shifty 10-20 knot westerly. We sailed down to Portland harbor with Meg getting some helm practice on the way. In those kind of conditions, it takes a bit of effort to keep the boat balanced and moving -- traveller, backstay, sheet in and out constantly. Meg got it after a while and did well.
When we got to the mouth of the harbor I asked whether we should go up into the harbor or turn around and head home now. One look to the west however and our answer was given to us. A line of dark clouds advancing to the east dictated that we head home ASAP. Home was downwind, so we proceeded under main only. The clouds appeared to be passing NW of Falmouth and indeed the worst of it did.
However, we got into some squally conditions with 20-30 knot winds about a mile from the mooring. To keep the main from getting battered and in case the squalls intensified, we put on the outboard and took down the main. Meg was able to handle the helm in the squall while I was putting on the outboard and taking down the main. Not long after we got the main on the deck the squall line passed -- no thunderstorms thankfully -- the sun came out, and the wind went to nothing. So in the end, it was a nice afternoon sail with a bit of extra adventure added in.
Our son, who would have panicked in that situation a couple of years ago, didn't mind a bit and even said after one strong blast of wind, "Wow that was cool"! Well, I don't know about that. In a 25+ knot gust the main is trying to rip itself to shreds and the mast is trying to shake itself out of the boat.
There's lot's of activity planned at the club for the 4th -- kids games, scavenger hunts, 420 racing, pie tasting. Summer is here!
When we got to the mouth of the harbor I asked whether we should go up into the harbor or turn around and head home now. One look to the west however and our answer was given to us. A line of dark clouds advancing to the east dictated that we head home ASAP. Home was downwind, so we proceeded under main only. The clouds appeared to be passing NW of Falmouth and indeed the worst of it did.
However, we got into some squally conditions with 20-30 knot winds about a mile from the mooring. To keep the main from getting battered and in case the squalls intensified, we put on the outboard and took down the main. Meg was able to handle the helm in the squall while I was putting on the outboard and taking down the main. Not long after we got the main on the deck the squall line passed -- no thunderstorms thankfully -- the sun came out, and the wind went to nothing. So in the end, it was a nice afternoon sail with a bit of extra adventure added in.
Our son, who would have panicked in that situation a couple of years ago, didn't mind a bit and even said after one strong blast of wind, "Wow that was cool"! Well, I don't know about that. In a 25+ knot gust the main is trying to rip itself to shreds and the mast is trying to shake itself out of the boat.
There's lot's of activity planned at the club for the 4th -- kids games, scavenger hunts, 420 racing, pie tasting. Summer is here!
posted by bearaway at 7:11 AM
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