Sunrise @ Leslie Spit swing bridge

A pic I took from the swing bridge in the Leslie Spit early one morning - Summer 2011.

Tricked the Mick!

Great Saturday at ABYC.  We didn't actually get out sailing but sat around on the hard enjoying a few cold beverages in the sun next to the boat.  Dave V from C&L Boatworks was in Scarborough dropping off some boats so he came by to install some upgrades I purchased from him.

• New 36" aluminum tiller extension to replace the 24" plastic extension that was on there (will post pic later).  Sweet grip on this thing.  
• New main sheet
• Harken rotating arm (with the cleat at the bottom - see maiden voyage post)
• Harken block for the main
• Harken boom block 

Installation of new Harken arm & block

My jib furling troubles

Turns out, there is no real problem with the boat or way I rigged this sucker.  It appears to be the thick UV protector on the jib that the previous owners may have had installed.  It prevents the sail from furling around itself cleanly at the top.     Because of this, it gets caught in the forestay.  I have found that if I unfurl/furl it slowly and watch it carefully, it's fine.  Will see if I can set where the jib connects further back on the plate to give it a bit more room.  Otherwise, I'm taking scissors to this thing! :)

See how it furls?  Wack.  I know it's loose here but even when tight, same thing

Random shot

This is from the second day of sailing.  We thought the Go Pro battery died before getting out but it stayed alive for a few minutes.  A shot of Ortski and Michelle below leaving the harbour.

Let's do it again. Second Sail.

Well, we loved it so much I invited another friend down.  This time, someone I learned how to dinghy sail with. Here is some GPS footage of the sailing.  The pic below only shows the route but I have all the stats such as top speed, average speed, etc.  Very cool.

Top speed 5.4 knots

Michelle & Ortski ready to go out

Things I learned this time out:

1) Docking is a nightmare.  Had to paddle in again.  I need to get better at this.

2) The jib gets tangled in the forestay.  This is a problem since I can't unfurl it but most likely due to me having too much slack in the jib and forestay.  Dave V from C&Lsuggested something which I'll try this week and report back

Maiden Voyage!!

It's time.  I'm nervous. The wind is really blowing and I have 2 friends with me who have never sailed (well, one was on a dinghy once). No time like the present.

Screenshoot from GoPro footage

Things I learned

1)Don't ignore the buoys in the harbour.  I found out the hard way that shallow IS shallow - even for a dinghy.  Yes, we got stuck about 30 feet from the dock and yes, I had to jump out of the boat and walk us out of the shallow water.  Then, we had to paddle in.

2) I need a different main block.  The one on this boat is completely opposite to what I have learned on.  The cleat is at the top of the block so when you start to heel and you're holding on for dear life, you're cleating the main and pulling it tighter and tighter.  This is fine until you want to spill some wind from the sails.  At that point, you need to make the unnatural movement and snap it down to release.  Basically, this cleats by default.  I can see how some people would like this.

3) Pulling in and out of the dock will be quite the spectacle for bystanders for a while.  I find this extremely difficult.

4) Tiller extension is too short on this thing. I've ordered a longer telescoping tiller from C&L.  This may or may not be an easy install.  Need to take a pic of it and send to Dave.  We might need to rivet it on.

More help from C&L Boatworks

Well, it's obvious that I need a cover for this thing.  One, so I can keep the rain out, and two, so I can keep my harness, PFD's, tillers, etc under it.  Otherwise, I'd need to bring this stuff to the club each time I wanted to sail which is not conducive to my plan of riding my bike to the club.  It just so happens that Dave from C&L was on his way to Toronto to drop off a boat.  He stopped by the club for me to a) drop off the cover I purchased & b) ensure I rigged it properly and I had enough tension on the shrouds and forestay (my biggest concern).  

 Dave installing mast safety line 

The cover!

Stepping the Mast & Riggin'!

First nice day!  Took it off work and headed down to the club (after stopping at the LCBO for a few tall boys) with my girlfriend, Michelle.  We fumbled our way through stepping the mast, installing the spreaders and shrouds & connecting the forestay.  It's starting to look like a boat!

Stepping the mast

Michelle installing painter 

                                                          Installing the spreaders