Oooh Lookie at my New Sail!

[Brilliant Sea]

I finally went out sailing today since November and broke in my new north mainsail!

Was 68 degrees with 7-10 knots from the west out of Forked River!!!

Gorgeous day and of course I went alone cuz everyone had to work. I have started on the Block Island 40 but now waiting for materials so I work too..lol. She sailed no nice but I had a hell of a time flaking the new main; I'm going to make up Skip's lazy jacks soon to make single handling easier, that new fabric is slippery!

I was the only sailboat out on Barnegat Bay and the first as far as I know since Capt. Paul went out in early Jan. There was a dredge boat out there going back and forth and he was prolly wondering what the hell I was doing circling and heaving to all the time. I was just setting the auto pilot(calibrating) and adjusting the new sail. I messed up loosening the out haul when I was really trying to take the slack out of the topping lift...DOH!

Anyone else get out today?

[Neo]

Sweet. Full battens? That sail should last a good long time.

Can't believe it was that warm. When I left the northeast a few weeks ago it was well below freezing.

You're sailing with your fenders down. When I get back to the dock and see that I forgot to pull the fenders in, (which happens all the time) I feel like I've been walking around all day with my fly down.

[Jim Cate]

"Anyone else get out today?"

Well, we sailed from Port Cygnet to Hobart... temps a bit cooler than yours, a couple of showers, but generally a decent W'ly breeze. Boat speeds from about 0.5 to 9.5... the D'Entrecasteaux channel is bloody flukey

And we were flying our new mainsail too... well, it has about a dozen or so days of usage so far... and I'm still trying to get the hang of properly trimming it. Much flatter than its predecessor... a thing of beauty! Until you try to get it flaked into the boom bag and stowed, that is! Rather like flaking a tin roof. Have to use a sail tie to choke it down enough to get the zipper closed on the bag. Sail is made from HydraNet, 8,9, and some 10 Oz weights, and it is really stiff. Our sailmaker swears that it will loosen up a bit, but then I'm 76 and I may not last that long. We'll see...

So, glad that you are getting out this early in your season. We're thinking about heading North soon... days are gettin short and colder, and I hate being cold.

Cheers,

Jim

[Wyoming pirate]

Jealous!

[glenn.225]

Pwdrskr Nice sail, I love to get out but that ain't going to happen.

Well I did get down to the snow covered and fast aground boat yesterday, but only to get the snorkeling gear. It was a balmy +3 deg Cel here today and the snow was melting a little for what good it did, going to get another dump later today, calling for 15 to 20 cm and - 8 deg.

But as I said, I was was getting snorkeling gear & packing my bags, off Thursday for the Dominican Republic. Going to try to thaw out and pickle myself with booze. Got to bring some sunscreen, this pasty white body hasn't seen sun in a while.

[Brilliant Sea]

Yes Neo, I left the fenders down cuz I was single handling and had too much to do(lazy). I also snuck out and wanted to leave and enter my slip with no help so the fenders were a test(and they worked perfectly). I have two fishing boats on each side that have their anchors wanting to snag my rigging and is very daunting to get in without having a heart attack...lol. When in slip my beam is wide and the distance between plyings will allow my boat get into them so by putting those fenders let me bump them while I set my dock lines.

This new sail is 7.5 oz radian, four full battens, two reefs and loose footed. Now I need to save up for a new genoa and solar panels and.......well you know, $$$$$$$$$$$.

Don't be jealous........ok, be jealous....

[Brilliant Sea]

Thanks Glenn and all ^^^! I hope winters grasp lets loose for you up there soon as we have another arctic blast coming Thursday. Let it end! It's been a rough one for sure and it just makes me work harder for the day I sail south, and stay.

Markus

[robert sailor]

I should have just given this thread a a pass as my days of a nice looking main are over. Every time I look at my new furling main I feel just a little sick, its impossible to get any real shape to it.

Enjoy that new sail, looks like a beauty!

[eyschulman]

used to sail those waters as thin as they be. Did go out in winter when I could. Now I sail all year in deep water between the rain drops in winter (PNW.)

[Sailorman Ed]

Markus - can you explain why you went loose footed?
Ed

[SkiprJohn]

Looks really nice. Well done!

[Brilliant Sea]

Originally Posted by Sailorman Ed

Markus - can you explain why you went loose footed?
Ed

Was recommended by the fitter as I went with full battens and more adjust-ability for sail shape.

Thanks,
Markus

[Cruiser2B]

Congrads on new sail and getting out sailing. weather here has been so up and down...25 last night 68 tomorrow!

I am building a trailer for my Alberg 30 so while I wish I could go out sailing, I need to get the trailer done on the few nice weather days we have....

Enjoy the new sail!!!!