Trip #1 Bala

Trial launch and day sailing expedition is next on the agenda. I booked a qualified sailing coach from Bala Watersports Centre to accompany me on this first sail reason being that although I had worked on the appearance of the boat I was still as yet inexperienced on the water, and new to this type of rig.

The location was a little unlucky as it turned out. Water in the lake was pretty low, and the public slipway had a very gentle gradient. After testing the depths I found that I could get the boat into for get off water to float it off the trailer but only by going out about twenty five feet. There was also a small step at the end of the ramp which although we tried to avoid it, we ended up rolling over on the retrieve.

The day sail / coaching session was useful as a refresher and to start to get to know the new boat and rig. Went through a few manoeuvres, deploying the main, setting off, stopping, tracking, gybing, sailing up to a mooring buoy, mob (performed with a fender), and radioing for a tow when trying to return to the jetty and the wind died. This last manoevre was unnecessary as we did have a single cylinder diesel onboard engine and a Canadian paddle available, but my crew didn’t seem up to paddling or making noise and pollution so he radioed for a tow instead.

Lessons learned

Rolling out with a long rope worked but cannot retrieve by hauling even with a 6:1 block and tackle
Vehicle was ok but could do with a heavier car preferably 4×4
Boat handles very nicely, stable and comfortable
Points quite well upwind, fast downwind
Bit of confusion over halyards, two for the main (peak and throat)
Need to exchange natural fibre lines with synthetics
Need to choose a better ramp next time
Need to ditch the hat!