i will bore evryone all week...

[Novice21]

Well, I really stopped believing that it might happen, but...

We left the house a little after 8, and were on the boat by 9. Fiddled about with a few things, then (bravely, I thought) actually left the mooring! We took turns motoring up and down the river, and practising not hitting other boats, including the boat that sank in the middle of the channel a couple of weeks ago and is still there. Other boats we did not hit were Glayva and Moondancer, you'll be glad to hear!

We then practised picking up the buoy with varying degrees of success, but at least we proved that we can pretty much do it even if we have to go round 3 times.

Next comes the really exciting bit, we put up the main sail, put the engine into neutral and tacked up the river! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

After about 4 tacks, the traveller on the main sheet broke and flew off at speed, smacking me on the way past. Sounds like bad news, but good really as it happened with 3 adults on board and no kids.

So, we motored back to our mooring and put everything away, then went round the boat making a list of things we need to buy/do. Chandlers on the way home to spend some more money, and we'll go back tomorrow to fix things and maybe even do a bit more sailing!

All in all , a pretty perfect day, first time out in our own boat. I won't be this boring every time, just wanted to share the excitement

 

[lenseman]

Well done - really pleased you had a great day. As you stated, better to have the traveller fail during a work-up period that it happening trying to handle a Force 8 blow out at sea. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Well done again /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[nathanlee]

[ QUOTE ]

We then practised picking up the buoy with varying degrees of success, but at least we proved that we can pretty much do it even if we have to go round 3 times.


[/ QUOTE ]

Don't you worry about that. I can handle Kudu with utter precision now, and I still end up making a few runs at picking them up. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[ QUOTE ]

All in all , a pretty perfect day, first time out in our own boat. I won't be this boring every time, just wanted to share the excitement

[/ QUOTE ]

I, for one, will be happy to read about it. It's a magic moment when you first get both sails up and kill the engine. Priceless.

Bon vent

 

[Master_under_Dog]

I'm learning too, on the Crouch. Will be in Burnham tomorrow to sort out cockpit reefing lines then off for a sail. Might come up the Roach, in which case I will be looking out for you and will give a wave if I can spare a hand at that moment.

And not boring at all. Anything you learn might be grist to my mill too.

Michael

 

[moondancer]

Great stuff Chrissy, Next Sunday Morning the RSA are having a 'race' . Usually from Paglesham to a buoy on the Crouch and back. All very light hearted and no spinnakers. Some d it in Gaff rigged boats single handed. Why dont you join in or follow us for when we finish afterwards. We usually share a drink.

 

[Gargleblaster]

We saw you practising picking up the buoy as we headed past you in the dinghy up river on Saturday. Tried to wave but it looked very serious as the person in the middle relayed instructions between the helmsperson and the buoy pick up person.
Had a bit of a look at Maestro as we headed down river on Saturday and back up again on Sunday. It's obviously based on the folkboat and the upper works certainly look plastic, is it a Folksong or some other derivative?

I'm pleased that you managed not to hit Glavya. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Novice21]

Yes, we were concentrating hard! Sorry we didn't wave, will try to next time. We've been out again this afternoon, this time without charlesd as he is here known (my Dad), and with both of our sprogs. We've motored up and down a bit (still not hit anything, excellent winning streak!) And picked up the buoy again. Fixed the kicker and now working on the traveller.

Maestro is in fact a plastic, Varne Folkboat. Based of course on the wooden ones, only minor changes I believe, though I think the inboard engine is a major difference. We're hoping she'll be a good solid basic-ish boat to learn on, and not over-complicated.

 

[Jomo]

Not boring, good to read!

 

[FullCircle]

Excellent news Chrissie, hope to see you out there this weekend.

 

[Novice21]

Thanks, I will be sailing with John. This is part of our master plan to learn what we're doing, we will take turns crewing on races when we can. As for no spinnakers, if we ever feel up to racing Maestro that will be good news, as whilst we have a pole and the relevant string, we have no spinnaker! I look forward to meeting you in person at the weekend /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Gargleblaster]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks, I will be sailing with John.

[/ QUOTE ]

This doesn't give us a lot of information. Other than we can presume you won't be sailing with Jon. One of the fortunate/unfortunate things about the RSA is that everyone is called John, although we have let a few Steves in but only one Brian. The fortunate thing about haivng so many John's is that if you are not sure of someone's name just call them John.

By elimination on those who race I can presume you mean John L. as it is not me and you didn't spell it Jon. But we have a new member called John M. in a Beneteau Figaro 1 who should be racing.

If you come down for Saturday night we usually get together for a meal and a drink on someone's boat but may go down and anchor somewhere like Yokesfleet the next creek on the right downriver from you.

 

[Master_under_Dog]

Well I was on the Crouch on Sunday, and in it too owing to a miscalculated attempt at securing the dinghy alongside and overreaching for the sheet cleat. Interesting to see how much attention an inflated lifejacket and person flailing around in the water engenders in a crowded anchorage! (Which is to say, none) Anyway by the time I had got back on board and sorted out the reefing it was blowing rather too much for me to feel comfortable about trying out to get the sails up.

But I did make it to Paglesham yesterday. Very pretty, even the wrecks on the west bank. Didn't fancy the prospect of tacking back through the moorings so turned round just short of them. Is Maestro among these?

Michael

 

[Novice21]

Aha, I have just discovered the last few messages which somehow did not show up as 'new' (stupid phone!). So, to answer points raised:

- I meant John L, sorry, didn't know there were lots of Johns! I will be easy to spot then, being the only Chrissie I presume? HWMBO is Mark, maybe you should charge us extra subs for non-approved names... we are hoping (weather permitting) to have an inaugaral sleepover on Saturday night, despite the lack of working heads or facility to make hot drinks!

- no, Maestro is not in the pic, I think you were a bit down river from us. We didn't see you in your inflated jacket, sorry!