[Rhodes22-list] It was a beautiful day in the ....

[elle]

Albemarle!!....great sailing on the shakedown cruise
today before Watermusic comes truckin' to her new
home. We did find out that the boat doesn't leak so I
don't have to get the burial-at-sea option...;^)

Rummy, you'll be glad to know that we lowered the helm
seat considerably...the boat sits differently when in
the water than on the trailer & it was apparent
immediately that the seat was 'way too high. We used
the orange CG approved PFD's to determine the
height...one PFD? Two? Here...sit on this....we did
have fun with this....one PFD is just the right amt. &
Dido fixed the seat before I left Edenton.

Bill E., you were commenting on the accessibility of
the sheets. You'll be glad to know that all lines were
accessible w/o any Rosemary woods -type  maneuvers.
Rather than being an impediment to moving, the
pedestal gave me something to brace against or hold
onto when moving about the cockpit (and when
boarding!). I can also drape lines over the binnacle
to keep them with in reach. There is room on both
sides of the pedestal to move by & it doesn't intrude
into the cockpit any more than the tiller does. 

So I thank you both for your comments as these gave me
specific items to check out today.

The wind was fairly brisk & gusty today & seas were
lumpy, giving me a chance to experiment with various
amts of sail & combinations thereof...the boys
(Jonathan & Tino) were a bit wide eyed when we heeled
a bit more than they liked....;^) But at least this
time they were out in the cockpit rather than down
below like last time!

We stiffened up nicely even tho' we were a bit
overcanvassed ...was easy to shorten the jib alone.
Just will take coordination to get my skills back
after so long...I have to think about my moves but it
will soon become second nature again...I hope....

We had the genoa out all the way & when I unfurled the
main. I was amazed at how we accelerated when I pulled
the main out only about 50%. We really were flying!

Standing behind the wheel, I was able to brace my feet
on either side of the cockpit ..easy to shift weight
as needed...so that is a good fit & comfortable for
control.

One thing I'm very pleased with is the engine rigging.
The other time we went out I could not take the boat
out of the launching area nor bring it back in as the
engine controls were out of my reach. Now, with
throttle & gear shift on the pedestal, it was a piece
of cake to get it in & out of that launching
area...even while another boat was also in the
launching space.

So I am anxiously awaiting the call that will set the
delivery date...hopefully by the end of the month.

;^)     ;^)    ;^)

elle

We can't change the angle of the wind....but we can adjust our sails.


 
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