Dashing through the waves!

Aug 2, 2005
1,155
Pearson 33-2 & Typhoon 18 Seneca Lake
Hello List Members,
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all.
December 22 was a beautiful, windy day here in SW Florida! We decided on an early sail and were leaving the slip about 10 AM with building wind from the ESE. We use our 272 LE, Breezin' Up, as a wonderful daysailer on Charlotte Harbor so the predicted winds of 10 to 15 seemed very inviting.
It became quickly obvious that the wind speed was higher than expected. Shortly after we cleared the end of the channel we set the mainsail with a single reef, and we unfurled only half the jib. Our Oday responded very well to that arrangement, and we sailed off on a beam reach to close reach into the less protected part of the harbor.
With an incoming tide we received a bit of a boost, but the boat seemed to dash along in response to the season. Our GPS showed speeds ranging from 6.5 to 7.7 throughout the "sleigh ride". Our most often registered speeds were between 6.5 and 7. As usual we sailed for an hour in one direction and then returned to the dock by reversing our course. A fun day on the water!
Attached are pictures to verify my story.
 

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Pat

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Jun 7, 2004
1,250
Oday 272LE Ninnescah Yacht Club, Wichita, Ks.
Great late fall sailing.....Our 272 is like yours....seems to respond very well to a single reefed main and 115-120 jib.
We have the 272 to heel over to a point, where it locks in, and at that point the fun really begins. With a draft of only 2'-11 inches one would not expect it to be so happy in those conditions, but it is a very fun boat to sail. You are lucky to be in SW Florida. They are predicting near blizzard conditions here by later in the day on Sunday.
Have a great time. Our good friends are wintering in Naples until March or April. I'm wintering in Wichita...Aaargh....
 
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Aug 3, 2012
2,542
Performance Cruising Telstar 28 302 Watkins Glen
I wish I had not been required to pull my boat this year! Here in Upstate, NY, the temp was 64 yesterday. No snow. No ice... I am thinking I could take my motorboat out! I don't know if the ramp is open.

My 272 balances nicely with a bit of a reef in the furled Genoa. I have a 150 on it, and it gets sassy in the wind!

Enjoy! I am really missing sailing this year!

Thanks,
Andrew
 

Pat

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Jun 7, 2004
1,250
Oday 272LE Ninnescah Yacht Club, Wichita, Ks.
Andrew, were you able to install the wheel? We've had chilly days, but overall has been much dryer and warmer than usual.
We could still have a February or March surprise. Pat
 
Aug 3, 2012
2,542
Performance Cruising Telstar 28 302 Watkins Glen
No. Not yet. We just returned from Blue Water Sailing School in St. Thomas. My wife and I were getting our Bareboat Skipper certifications via ASA.
We are ready to do some projects, but for the wheel, I have to wait til the weather is warm enough to epoxy!
Thanks,
Andrew
 

Pat

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Jun 7, 2004
1,250
Oday 272LE Ninnescah Yacht Club, Wichita, Ks.
Had you been to St. Thomas before....? I'm sure it was wonderful...we've not been to St. Thomas but have sailed 9 times in the BVI.....We could see the lights from St. Thomas at night...from Soper's Hole.....Enjoy your project(s)....Patrick