1st sail apprehension.

[jamie N]

I did another sail today in similar conditions, except for the wind which became 25-30kts very quickly. At the time I thought it was great, as I'd simply put a couple of reefs in, and check those for real as well.
Hey ho.
The composite mainsail began to tear/separate at the leech patch on the 2nd reef, which was a disappointment, but good news that it happened in a controlled area during a shake down sail. I do have a much older and (hopefully) more durable Dacron mainsail to put on, so it's not going to change my plans at all, and the 'sail repair guy' that I use, will be grateful that a yottie doesn't need something fixed yesterday.
Everything else worked perfectly though, with the exception of the weather forecast of course.

 

[ProDave]

We all know the wind around these parts can change very quickly and not always obeying the forecast.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

We all know the wind around these parts can change very quickly and not always obeying the forecast.

Granted, in Scotland it probably blows harder, but I think most people will have noticed that the weather is less stable these days.

 

[William_H]

A few comments of fred drift. I do a lot of in water scrubbing during the season starting about 7 weeks after antifoul. It alwasy seems to sail faster with new A/F than after a scrub. Fouling is fierce with lots of sunshine and warm water. But at least swimming under boat is pleasant.
Weather forecasts. I am always amazed at how accurate forecasts here are up to 7 days ahead. Both with wind and temperatrures. Perth 32S (west oz) Considering weather systems march across the southern Indian Ocean/ norhtern Southern ocean forecast is almost entirely by satellite data. ol'will

 

[Phil_boat]

In the case of a boat that's been out over winter, cleaned and freshly anti fouled, the opposite is true. Early season sailing will be the fastest you will get all year and by the end of the season it will be slowing down due to slime and other build up.

About an extra 3kts for us having a shiny bottom

First “sail” for us was the beginning of February, nipped up to the pub for lunch.
I was slightly nervous turning the key for the first time but everything still worked.
And we quite enjoyed the heater we’d fitted over the winter.

 

[michael_w]

I keep my boat in commission all the year round, Saves all that faffing about 'laying up' and 'fitting out'. Usually haul out for the necessary jobs in April when the weather is usually better than January.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I keep my boat in commission all the year round, Saves all that faffing about 'laying up' and 'fitting out'. Usually haul out for the necessary jobs in April when the weather is usually better than January.

We’ll do that if we are around to at least visit. But wouldn’t lezve her untended on our mooring over winter. It’s really lovely, very natural, but hideously exposed to the SW.

 

[lustyd]

We left Dartmouth a few days ago headed for Portland and the visibility almost immediately dropped to about a boat length. Thankfully not our first if the season, we had a very sunny sail from Salcombe and not a bad passage from Plymouth before that. Nice to be moving again after four months stuck in Plymouth hiding from storms!

Second try leaving Dartmouth today at 02:00. Exceptionally dark with vis about 0.5NM for first few hours. Thankfully they seem to have forgotten to turn on the Portland Race today!
Fingers firmly crossed we get to Studland before the tide turns

 

[lustyd]

Arrived 4:30 Studland to find a pin missing on a sail batten when I dropped the main

 

[jamie N]

Gotta laugh. Today was a good day to swap out the damaged mainsail with the 'spare', so I removed the torn main, folded it carefully, took the replacement sail out of its bag and pondered why it had an "F" insignia, with an East German national insignia as well?
When I passed my East German Folkboat onto it's new carer, I delivered the boat sails to him; we all know what it's like, a selection of sail bags in an unused bedroom, simply trying to identify the right one and selecting it on the basis of sail slides looking about right, from what I remembered....., so after a series of unrepeatable oaths, and a swift search for someone to blame, I've had to email and arrange a swap, feeling like a total twat.

 

[Wansworth]

We’ll do that if we are around to at least visit. But wouldn’t lezve her untended on our mooring over winter. It’s really lovely, very natural, but hideously exposed to the SW.

Dont you miss the “suppers”

 

[dunedin]

One of the many benefits of keeping in commission all year round is that don’t have this worry about post relaunch shakedown.
Sailing every month keeps everything in use, and avoids the dismantling and reassembly risks.
Also if not been out for 6 months ago the biggest risk is probably the skipper and /or crew being out of practice.
(The flaw in this process of course is when the skipper is out of commission for other reasons )

 

[Phil_boat]

I keep my boat in commission all the year round, Saves all that faffing about 'laying up' and 'fitting out'. Usually haul out for the necessary jobs in April when the weather is usually better than January.

This is my plan going forward. Trying to get 5 coats of paint on the bottom in December wasn't fun...

Next winter's job list should be much smaller and a week in April for an engine service and a coat of antifoul should be all we need

 

[Buck Turgidson]

My last sail last year was mid October, I keep her in the water all year so first sail of the new year is always to the nearest place I can haul out at a reasonable cost. 26nm up the coast yesterday in lovely conditions with a prop so fouled I could only motor at 2kt but thankfully there was a little breeze so it was a nice 6 hr shakedown and she's on the hard now. Will paint tomorrow and sail back on Thursday.