I got my boat out in the Atlantic Ocean today. Under sail. It was my first with this, my first "real" sailboat. I motored out the Ft. Pierce Inlet, waves were forecast at 1 to 2 foot with an 11 second period. In reality, they were 4 to 8 INCHES with a 12 or more second period.
First time running the inlet, so a perfect day for it. I got to see all the channel markers and did not have to deal with waves, cross currents and so on.
The wind came around to the east early in the day (it was forecast to be from the SW, tracking around to east late in afternoon). So that was good. We (my brother and I) raised the main, then unfurled the genny. Steering south on the 3-mile line on a beam reach.
So nice.
Got back in before the rains came down this afternoon. Coming back in the Inlet on an ebb tide was kind of fascinating. A real flow out the Indian River lagoon had the inlet visibly stirred up (and reduced our speed over ground by almost half!). Put her back in the slip like I knew what I was doing (don't tell, okay?).
My first season has officially started. Yes, my to do list is a little longer now that I took her out for shakedown sail #2, but we sailed today!!! (Shakedown #1 was all under power, testing ground tackle.)
Life is sweet!!!
First time running the inlet, so a perfect day for it. I got to see all the channel markers and did not have to deal with waves, cross currents and so on.
The wind came around to the east early in the day (it was forecast to be from the SW, tracking around to east late in afternoon). So that was good. We (my brother and I) raised the main, then unfurled the genny. Steering south on the 3-mile line on a beam reach.
So nice.
Got back in before the rains came down this afternoon. Coming back in the Inlet on an ebb tide was kind of fascinating. A real flow out the Indian River lagoon had the inlet visibly stirred up (and reduced our speed over ground by almost half!). Put her back in the slip like I knew what I was doing (don't tell, okay?).
My first season has officially started. Yes, my to do list is a little longer now that I took her out for shakedown sail #2, but we sailed today!!! (Shakedown #1 was all under power, testing ground tackle.)
Life is sweet!!!
