First Sail Narrative

Friday - 6 June 2014

The Admiral and I took the boat out in the late afternoon and raised sail for the very first time.  Still having problems rigging the jib (still gets stuck about 3/4 way up), so we worked with mainsail only. At about 5:30pm, after clearing Great Hill, we turned into the wind and I went forward to jump the main halyard.  I respectfully requested the Admiral to hold the tiller so that we staying facing into the wind, while she pulled in the slack on the halyard.  She did better at the latter than the former, but live and learn....

Could not get the mail sail fully raised; the last 6-8" just would not go up.

Hmmmmmm.....

We sailed SSW for an hour or so, covering several miles and passing Bird Island until we stood off Aucoot Cove in Mattapoisett.  

Speed Demon zipping along at 1.9 knots....

At about 6:40pm, the Admiral order a change of course, so we came about and headed for home.  Half an hour later we were losing the wind, so we doused sail and motored the rest of the way back.  

Bird Island against the setting sun

We had a beautiful sunset in a glassy calm as we raised the mouth of the Weweantic, and were back on the mooring just as it was getting dark.

Sunset over Great Hill

Alas, it seems my mast lights to not work :(

The navigation lights work fine.