Sunday, May 31, 2009

Sunday surprise


Sunday surprise
Originally uploaded by Sadlr

Em's at a Sea Scout camp this weekend, so Claudia and I decided to sail the 16m2 today. We woke fairly early but got up gently. It was promising to be a lovely day as we drove over to the workshop to pick up the boat.
The club was surprisingly busy as we pulled into the car park and Wiebe ran over. Start in 20 minutes, he shouted. We looked at each other, laughed and said, let's give it a go.
Nineteen minutes later we'd craned the boat in, raised the mast, got changed, hoisted the sails and pushed off. The start line was close to the club and as we rounded the buoy Claudia was standing on the boom threading the luff line through the cringles.
With 10 knots gusting 14 we had a great sail, plenty of trapeze up the beat then charging back downwind. We were happy to finish fourth, get the sails down and drink a well earned cup of coffee.
After walking the dog and eating our sandwiches we went back out and practised tacks and gybes. I'm used to sailing the Laser by the lee downwind but 'Truus' stops dead anywhere past 180 degrees and is fastest with the wind blowing backwards over her boomed out jib. Lots of new things to think about.
More practising tomorrow morning - on my Birthday! - before going to pick Em up from camp.