Last sail of the season

[sharps4590]

So a couple weeks ago I bought this cute little Widgeon to play on the local lakes. The weekend before I brought home the Cat-22 so if I was going to sail again it was going to be the Widgeon. I had it out last Sunday in light winds and familiarized myself with the boat. Yesterday was just too good to pass up so I took advantage of "being the boss" and just took off!

What a wonderful day and what a way to end the season. Winds out of the west at 10-12 mph, clear skies and upper 60's. The little boat is quite responsive, (especially when you remember to put the keel down), heeled over and took off wonderfully. I thrilled to about two hours of busy sailing. It's a small lake and you tack a lot!!

While I was sailing I occasionally looked up at the full, cleaned to crisp, white sails against the cobalt blue sky and mused to myself, "what a beautiful sight". This has to be one of the reasons those of us who sail have such strong emotions about our sport/hobby. To see the sails full, feel the power of the wind and thrill at the movement and motion of our boats beneath us. All done quietly, gracefully and if we do our part, efficiently.

I'm certain those of you who have been sailing for years are intimate with such emotions. So forgive a "newbie" for just discovering those same emotions. Now both boats are cleaned, wrapped up for the winter and waiting for the warm zephyrs of next spring.....and I'm eagerly awaiting also!

Vic

 

[Joe11688]

I can see that you're hooked Vic! I experience the very same feeling many years ago on a lake next to where I live on December 20. I had put my O'Day 222 to sleep for the winter and was sailing my 14' cat boat on a lake that was partially covered with a thin sheet of ice. This cat boat had a dodger on it and I had my Origo alcohol heater inside up close to the bow and I was toasty warm. I couldn't hear the wind above the crashing of the ice, but it was fun just the same.

 

[sharps4590]

Crashing ice? You're a better man than me!!!!!! I'm not ready for sailing in winter yet....not even with a heater!

 

[Joe11688]

Crashing ice? You're a better man than me!!!!!! I'm not ready for sailing in winter yet....not even with a heater!

That was way back many years ago before I became a "Geezer." I couldn't hack doing that today either but, I still use my kayak during the winter months on mild days. I take my dog Penny with me in the kayak and we paddle across the Taunton River near the mouth and go beach combing along that shoreline. The river is about 300 to 400 feet wide in that area and if it's too windy and choppy, we don't cross. The 9' 2" kayak fits in the back of my pickup truck under the cap and it stays there permanently all year round. I use it to get to and from my mooring in the summer and we tow it behind the sloop everywhere we go. You just need to be extra careful when paddling a kayak during the winter months. It's probably a good idea to bring a cell phone with you in a waterproof container if you choose to do this. As for myself, I never liked cell phones so I don't own one. Kayaks add a whole new dimension to boating in the off season.
Joe

 

[sharps4590]

Canoes and kayaks I'm infinitely more familiar with than I am sail boats. And in winter use, especially the canoe. For 30 years I spent at least two weeks every winter water trapping from my canoe. Caught literally tons of 'coon, 'rat, mink and beaver and my wife has two coats we had made from muskrat and beaver. Broke a lot of ice with my old, Old Towne and before that an aluminum Osagian. Man...that boat was cold in winter. Stopped and built a lot of fires to warm up. 15-18 years ago I added kayaks to my water craft. My first was about the size you have, a 9 ft. Perception Swifty, but that quickly became too small and I added a 12 ft. Perception Acadia. The Acadia is a nery nice, comfortable and capable boat. I really like the 12 ft. length and with dry storage in back I can actually take enough stuff to be on our creeks and rivers for a few days fly fishing. When we lived in Wyoming I white water kayaked some but decided at 50 yrs. I was too old to be banging my head on the bottom of the Snake River. Sold both white water boats to my bosses sons. For all I know they're still be using them.

How does towing that kayak behind your sail boat work out? I never thought of using my Acadia but may have to consider it now. Is yours a sit on or sit in? Can't imagine taking a dog along in a sit in kayak.....unless it's a very small dog or you have one of those large cockpit openings like some of those LL Bean and Daggar 'yaks I've seen.

 

[bellnier]

I sailed a Widgeon 'The Sloop John B' from 1974 till last March. I sold it when I got 'Greta' O'Day 22. I loved sailing the Widgeon and enjoyed your description of those feelings. Maybe I should have kept it. We really been having fun with Greta. We have invited another couples to go sailing and enjoy being social. Sailing the Widgeon was a more private pleasure. Greta is in my backyard now and I'm already dreaming about next season.

 

[Joe11688]

I have a Keowii Aqua-Terra kayak that I bought new in 1995. It's a sit in type kayak with a detachable child's seat that snaps on to a pipe that runs down the center, inside. Penny only weighs 40 lbs and she sits nice and still while I paddle.
As for towing the kayak behind "Trinkka"; I keep a 1/4"X 15' braid line tied to the bow of the kayak at all times and she tows very well at most points of sail with the exception of a run in windy choppy water. She has a tendency to want to drift sideways with the wind and waves and capsize. My solution to this problem is to bring the kayak up tight along side "Trinkka" and cleat the rope off to my Gennie winch or aft cleat. I usually pass the rope around the first lifeline rail and take a hitch around the Gennie winch when I board my boat. If I'm using my Gennie, then I tie the rope to the aft Port cleat.
I've developed a way of getting in and out of a kayak from a boat or dock that works great for me. Part of it is in the use of this line tied to the bow of the kayak which helps in keeping the kayak from shooting out forward on me while I'm either getting in, or getting out of it.
After tying off to my boat as described previously, I place my right forearm directly on the center of the aft deck of the kayak while grabbing my stern rail of the sailboat with my left hand, and pivot right around in the kayak while I come up with my right knee in the seat of the kayak. Then I can stand up while keeping the kayak close to the sloop via the rope and my hands holding on to the sloop. I can do the same procedure at any dock. I find that it's less wear and tear on the ankles doing it this way.
Don't ever let them take trapping away in your state. They did it here in the "People's Republic of Massachusetts" years ago. My Uncle Tony loved trapping and he's probably turning over in his grave right now.

The third pic was taken on the Mystic River in Mystic Seaport CT. The other pics were taken on the Taunton River near Fall River Ma. not far from where the O'Day plant was located years ago.
Singer Billy Joel stores his 57' yacht "Vendetta" for the winter in that marina across the river in that last pic showing Penny posing by the kayak after a day of successful beach combing.
Joe

 

[sharps4590]

Even at 9 ft. the cockpit in your kayak is longer than in my 12 ft. Acadia. I don't have near that much room in front of me. I may have to haul the kayak down to Stockton next year and give that a try.

What's the story on the three master in your picture? Would love to prowl around one of those some day.

I well remember when they banned trapping in Massachussets.....and all the press it got, even here in the Ozarks. I doubt that's very likely to happen here for a myriad of reasons. Several years ago I thought I read that some of the ban had been lifted, is that not so?

 

[Joe11688]

Even at 9 ft. the cockpit in your kayak is longer than in my 12 ft. Acadia. I don't have near that much room in front of me. I may have to haul the kayak down to Stockton next year and give that a try.

What's the story on the three master in your picture? Would love to prowl around one of those some day.

I well remember when they banned trapping in Massachussets.....and all the press it got, even here in the Ozarks. I doubt that's very likely to happen here for a myriad of reasons. Several years ago I thought I read that some of the ban had been lifted, is that not so?

I think the closest thing to my kayak is the Heritage 9'5" with the same size cockpit. I'm not sure if it could fit in my truck kitty cornered with the tail gate up though.
That picture of the three master was taken by me sitting in the kayak behind Penny on the Mystic River overlooking the Mystic Seaport Museum. http://www.mysticseaport.org/
I think that sailing vessel is the famous Charles W. Morgan. I had taken Penny with me to Defender Marine in Ct. to return a forward hatch that I bought from them. On the way back we stopped at an area on the river close to the museum and launched the kayak.
As far as I know they haven't lifted the trapping ban in Ma. There is some talk about a trapping ban in the State of Maine which they are fighting right now. Actually, you can't use leg hold traps in Ma. but you can use humane box traps I think. They know that a trapper can't carry many of those in his canoe or pack basket.

 

[sharps4590]

I believe there's a thread on "Woodenboat" forum on the restoration of that ship. It's a whaler, isn't it? Or rather was a whaler. I know it's been a very interesting read.

 

[Joe11688]

I believe there's a thread on "Woodenboat" forum on the restoration of that ship. It's a whaler, isn't it? Or rather was a whaler. I know it's been a very interesting read.

Surely they won't get trapping banned in Maine...that's a fairly big fur harvesting state. Valuable furs too.

They just keep chipping away at liberty.

Yes, the Morgan was a whaler.

 

[Scott B]

Please keep the political discussion to the War Room.

 

[Joe11688]

Please keep the political discussion to the War Room.

Sorry Scott, I got carried away.
Joe

 

[sharps4590]

There isn't but two people on the thread....and they agree. Sure, ok, fine, not a problem. It's your site. I may have to abide but I don't have to agree.

 

[Indysailor]

Hauled out today. Already thinking about Spring.