4 July 09 - New boat at the club

14 nautical miles

I tried a few people as crew for today, but all could not make it. So I went down to the club anyway thinking I would single-hand it. The forecast was pretty strong winds, but I hoped they would be lighter than forecast. As it turns out they were not.

James was sailing his optimist in the afternoon, so was free and crewed for me in the morning. The winds were pretty strong. Neil reckoned 3 gusting 5. The combined weight of me and James is not quite the same as me and Tim! Anyhow, we tacked out into the wind towards the harbour then goose-winged back at great speed - we touched 8.9 knots.

James was not quite sure about trying the goose-winging, but it felt safe and in control. I always start on a broad reach, feel how the boat is behaving and see if she will be comfortable and safe goose-winging before actually doing it. Sometime I guess a spinnaker is called for.

After lunch we wait for Kiriakos to bring his new boat to the club. Its a laser 13 - the little sister of Neil and Paulas boat.

Theirs was called 'Baby Blue' renamed to just 'Blue' but this really does look like Baby Blue!

Lunchtime comes and goes...

3pm comes and goes...

Kiriakos eventually arrives at about 4pm towing his new boat, takes it off the roadt trailer and then pushes it on the hard to check it out.

People gathered around to admire...

make comment...

and help rig...

feel the hull...

give advice...

check the rig tension... whatever.

Kiriakos like a proud dad after the birth of a new baby is keen to show her off and all together we rig the mast, standing rigging and sails. She is in really good condition.

One vital rope missing: Downhaul for the centre-board. This had also been missing from Neil and Paula's boat and made things more difficult when they went over. Neil helped Kiriakos add this extra rope. She's now ready to sail... but we will wait till tomorrow for that.

Finally it's time for pictures of the family together - three generations plus the new daughter!