OK!
Day one a washout. When rain let up we had gusts over 30 knots in the harbor, and the breeze was tearing the tops off waves in the strait between the mainland and Long Island. So we hunkered down and planned. And ate and drank.
Next day looking very good, so at bit past 10am we called the marina for a RIB to nudge the bow and we set off in a projected 15-20 out of the North. Weather forecast had crap coming in west so we planned for as much easting as we could. Raising sail was frankly a bit intimidating, if looked like we were about to double hand an Open 60. But within a few minutes under sail, that was dispelled, the boat is a bit of a pussycat, albeit a very fast one.
Tons of textile rigging, dyneema and low friction rings everywhere. Also lots of 2:1s, gennaker and main halyard on blocks, but also simple turns (out haul, vang, twings, etc) that rely on the durability and slipperiness of hi tech rope on stainless.
Boat amusingly fast and stable. She doesn't heel, she squirts forward. Three meters (9.75 feet!) of draft clearly helps. Our course had the wind forward of the beam the entire way, from close hauled to maybe 90 true. Once you sort out the fat head main its easy, you use the mainsheet (on a winch near the companion way) to set the twist, and then primarily play the traveler to adjust the AOA.
Boat also designed/rigged for open water sailing with long times on tacks. Vang is an example, it's soft (integrated lazy jacks hold up the boom) and doubles as a preventer. But it attaches to the side deck to leeward and has to be switched when you gybe. In a racing a gybing dual it would grow old fast. But it works great, and the preventer was very handy.
Water was mostly flattish except for some decent waves in the shipping channel between Kia and Kythnos. Huge north fetch made for big breeze and rollers. That plus freighter traffic and fast ferries made for and interesting time. About this time we planned on for the night in Syros. That would mean 50nm in 6 hours if we wanted in before sundown. The fact that we did that with the wind never behind the beam is wild. Just JAM, we would often break into a plane; the stern wave falling way behind the transom. Top sustained speed was 10.something knots, with blips over 11.
Coming into the basin as the sun dropped low, the pilot guide mentioned 4M depth. That gave me a big of pause, wondering if there were low spots. But then I remember the lifting keel... A push of a button and its up 1/2 way and we are a reasonable 6 feet.
Inside the boat is huge and well thought out. Keel box is big but actually helps the boat. It's over 6 feet across open floor between the galley and Nav station, so the box gives you something to lean against. Vee very comfortable; all berths have integrated lee cloths.
Some shots.
Chilling (and checking our progress) at 10 knots while Mssr NKE drives.
The approach to Syros.
Pia drives and stays warm.
In the basin. The marina help (naturally name Adonis) was very nice and offered water and electricity for free. When we came in, he smiled and said 'ah... Pogo..'
