[Rhodes22-list] Lark on the lake

[Mike Riter]

I finally put my small boat projects on hold and took the Emma B out for a
sail on lake Hartwell here in GA today. The day started well with a light
breeze. I got everything rigged and splashed the boat, I got an early start
as temps this time of year push into the mid 90's daily. I always check the
time and see how long it takes from the time I arrive at the ramp to the
time I motor off the trailer. I have the whole process down to under an
hour now, less (sometimes) if I have the co-captain with me.

The breeze (definitely can't call it "wind") was around 4 knots out of the
North. My plan was to tack up the lake for a few hours then enjoy a nice
downwind sail back. This worked out pretty well on the way upwind.
Cruising along at a blistering 3 knot average gave me plenty of time to
play with the systems on the boat. I now know my Garmin chart plotter so
much better now! I spent more time trying to find that somewhat mythical
balance to the sails where the boat will steer itself without input on the
tiller. I'm still not convinced it's real, but I did find at one point that
winding in the genoa to 130% instead of 170% and sitting on the lower side
while close hauled I had a magical 30 minutes where I didn't lay a hand on
the tiller. After that I tried moving around the boat to see what effect
that had on things (yup, I was pretty bored) and found I could make small
directional changes by creeping port-starboard and fore-aft. It was
actually pretty fun.

I finally made it to my waypoint, a green channel marker buoy a couple
miles up the lake . My goal was to sail around it like you would in a
regatta. Three tries and at least 6 tacks later I was successful at
rounding said buoy and decided it was time to turn back and enjoy some of
the downwind points of sail. I rounded into the final tack and, and wait,
where did the wind go? Noooooo!!!! It quit just like someone shut off a fan
and left me sitting there on the glassy water, sails sagging against the
stays. "it'll come back" I told myself. "Any minute now"...... Sigh, 15
minutes later I gave up, furled everything and went for a swim to cool off.
After I got back on board I dropped the motor and tooled around some of the
islands in the lake. One thing I've never done is try to go to shore (sans
dinghy or dock). I picked one of the islands after doing a drive by to
check for rocks. My first attempt went well, being the brave guy I am, I
charged the beach at full idle and shifted into neutral 20' out and slowly
drifted in until I touched. Well, actually I stopped drifting a full 5 feet
out. a wake from a jet ski pushed me the rest of the way in. Since the only
way onto the beach entailed a leap from the bow, I decided to check how
deep it was off  the swim ladder in the stern. Hmm, over my head. Now I get
why everyone backs in. Went back out, turned around, pulled up the tiller,
released the tiller-motor connection and idled back to shore and waded up
in less than knee deep. Sweet!

Finished up the day on the motor. All in all a great relaxing day on the
boat. Attached are a couple photos from the day.


Mike Riter
SV Emma B
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