First sail of the season

[Tim R.]

Took the home out for a spin yesterday and had a great sail. We hoisted our new sails and sailed from Portland up around Cow Island and back through Diamond Rhodes reaching both ways. The new sails performed perfectly in 15-20kts of wind and we averaged between 6 and 7.2 kts. A little weather helm but we were lazy and did not do much to optimize the trim.

We only saw 3 other sailboats out there. Most of the time we were in the sun but sailed into a fog bank as we approached the commercial channel. Radar is not up and running yet but I did get to use the autmatic fog horn on my Icom VHF and also checked "ShipFinder" AIS on my droid to look for big commercial traffic. Not a substitute for radar but the visibility let us see smaller craft in time. I was more worried about tanker traffic.

The Caliber 40lrc is criticized for moderate upwind ability but my theory is that this is largely due to blown out sails and the fact that most of these boats came with in-mast furling mains. Well, we were able to point as high as 30° apparent and still maintain over six knots with our new slab reef full batten main.

Sorry, having too much fun to snap any photos.

 

[PrincessoftheLake]

I have never sailed a Caliber 40 but I did tour one a couple of years ago when visiting another marina. Lovely boat. Sounds like a great first sail! I am hoping mine will be in a just a couple more weeks.

 

[dscribner]

I'm still waiting for two or more consecutive days of 60 degrees + weather with no rain in the forcast. I got one coat on the sides but apparently, at that temperature, I was supposed to thin it. Tipping made ridges that I, in my ignorance, assumed would level out as it dried. Nope. SO, last Saturday, sanded it all off, and now, more waiting. Lond story short, we porbably won't be getting wet until mid June. But I'm glad you had a good time. This weekend would have been excellent I think. So, I'm not familiar with Diamond Rhodes, but we sail SW out of Hussey Sound, between Peaks and Gr. Diamond. Is this it? My lovely bride calls it Diamond Pass. She's the navigator and I've been with her long enough to pick my battles and say "Yes M'am". Do you find it to go dead in there? I have. Right by the little marina on Peaks.

Oh, well. I've got people to call and skylights to design.

Don

 

[DAVA390]

Finally got Wet Saturday. We launched into Mddle River about 4:00P.M. after 2:00 P.M. weather looked ugly. By 4, sunny again, local dopler looked good, "lets go for it". Boat was already rigged up on the railer, in the marina, from house to overboard, 35 minutes. Very windy, we reefed (We ARE rookies). Great 2 1/2 hrs. leaning and learning, then hit the pier at tiki bar next to marina(tied up next to many go fasts and one O`Day 272. Wife asks "How late we are staying"? I said 'at least 30 minutes after dark,I`m gonna use the new lights back to the ramp!" My brother and his girlfriend (powerboater with currently dead 135 Evinrude at home) showed up, front lawn of restaurant is all sand, beach chairs. Live music, band playing, decent munchies (Don`t go there for the food or service!). When finished, motor around to ramp, boat on trailor, parked there, home in 15 minutes. Summer is Back!! (Sorry, Don)

 

[Tim R.]

That's it Don. We call it Diamond Rhodes but it certainly could say "pass" on the chart. The wind was strong enough from the SE that we sailed right through on one tack. We only attempt this passage early and late in the season. During the summer, it is like a thruway for go-fast powerboats and they go through there fast.

As for tipping, thinning would have worked. If you roll and tip a test area on a piece of glass and wait about 2 minutes, you will get a good idea of what it will do on the boat. Add thinner as needed in very small(teaspoon or less) quantities until the mix flows properly and does not run.
http://www.tkronaboat.com/Projects/Ericson 35 Projects/Mast Repaint/slides/PICT0003_1.htmlhttp://treilley.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album36&id=PICT0003_1

 

[dscribner]

I've heard that. The problem is that I have no glass like that. We bought a 5 year fixer-upper in Sanford, and liver there for 13 years. I rebuilt and reglazed every window in the place. I had lots of spare glass there. Here in Biddeford, not so much. Do you suppose plexiglass would work? I can get oodles of that.

I know what you mean about Diamond Pass in the summer. I almost got creamed by a 36 footer there. I was having trouble tacking, apparently the nature of Lancers. And he just came screaming in from Hussey Sound. I had to yell to the Mrs to pull in the dingy. He came within 10 feet of us and had this smirk that made me want to snap his neck an put an anchor to his feet. I'm not the fighting type.