[Rhodes22-list] Great Sailing in the Inland North West in January

[Caesar Paul]

Hi Guys,

We are experiencing unseasonably warm weather here in the Inland North West, and I had my two best sailing days this winter on Friday and on Monday.  On Friday I sailed with a friend who owns a 45foot Gulf Star Ketch.  He had a great time on the tiller while I handle the sheets.  We sailed for about two hours tacking back and forth up the river against wind and current, doing an average of 3.5 knots.  The return leg was a run, wing on wing.  Lots of fun! Wind temperature was 51degrees.

On Monday I went out alone down river from the Marina and sailed for about 3 hours.  Again, lots of fun, and a great confidence builder.  Sailing single handed forces you to figure out ways of doing things alone, like holding the tiller to the lee, releasing the sheet, working the Genoa to the other side, and cleating off, tying off tiller in order to go adjust the topping lift. 

 I might be boring some of you with this stuff, but then again I might just nudge a few sailors to give single hand sailing a try.  What makes it even sweeter, is not just that you have the boat to yourself, but you might be the only boat in sight.

I don't know how long it will last, but those Rhodies in warmer regions cannot flaunt their warm weather sailing on us; at least not this year.  You hear that Art?

Caesar
Gentle Breeze
1986 / 2008