Lovely day on the water

[mmts]

Saturday.........what a great day for a sail, wind 10-15k. Decided to go for a sail and check out coasters retreat in anticipation of being able to make the sailaway. And it was my first chance for a sail since having some major work done. Ever got everything planned, packed yourself a small lunch, drinks etc, only to arrive at your mooring to realise you've left the damm rowlocks at home......not off to a great start, the drive back to Mt Colah is always nice via the old Pacific highway.

Rowlocks in hand, as well as a few other things that I had forgotten, boat has just been on the hard at Fenwicks so had removed just about everything from the boat. Had a bit of work done as I was slowly sinking.... the engine had been removed, new engine beds installed, rebedding the stern tube and a new saloon floor installed.

Anyway back to the sail, time to check out the new autohelm.....what a great invention, only way to sail one up. Hoisted the new fully battened mainsail that I had made by Keith Brown from Mortlake, well worth the money, he also made me a No.2 headsail, but on the day decided to just use the old No.4...didn't want to have too much sail up on my own.

Port tack all the way from Parsley Bay to just off Challenger Head, then tacked all the way up to Lion Island. Had a great run up to lion Island, having my own little race with a very flash thirty odd foot of $200k plus fancy pants cataraman. The first time we crossed on opposite tacks he was just in front, on every other tack the little old top hat got further and further ahead, I guess fancy pants cats, although very fast and comfortable just don't point very high. A very satisfying victory......shame he didn't know I was racing him.

Unfortunatley didn't make it to coasters due to my late start, about 3.30 it was time to turn around for the run home. Arrived back at the mooring about 5.30 packed up washed down and headed off to the Anglers rest for a nice cold beer before heading home.

Was a good shakedown, first solo sail for a while, was good to have confidence in the engine installation, new polyflex engine mounts and no leaks from the stern tube. Will definetly be trying to get some time off work to make it to the sailaway.

See you on the water

Mark

Marie Anne (Parsley Bay)

[karl010203]

Sounds like a great day out !!

[Miker]

It does sound like a nice day out and lucky you didn't plan it for yesterday!

I sail single with a # 2 all the time, because that's what's on the furler. Never used the only other sail which is the storm jib (apart from a kite).

Actually, even when Gabi is aboard I sometimes do all the sailing while she lays about reading a book, so the wee ST800 autohelm is great.

BTW, what did your new main set you back?

Michael

[mmts]

Michael, Both sails cost me $1900, had a quote from 'sail solutions" at Woolwich for about the same money, decided to go with K. Brown on recommendation and the fact that he made his sails, better quality materials and made in Australia......not a sweat shop in Thailand (that may be a little harsh). Customer service was excellent, good chat about sail selection etc, was originally going to get a No.1, and if I ever have any problems with the sails he is just down the road,

Mark

[tryer]

Hi,
Your day sounds great, maybe next time u should just drive to Whitworths n but another set of Rowlocks, be better than the drive to Cowan etc.

Well done on ur sail against the "fancy pants" cat.

Hope u enjoy ur Tophat as much as I have mine. ( since July 1972)

Regards,
Scott