posted June 25, 2004 11:39 PM            

The first weekend had very light winds. I was struck by how easily the boat moved through the water. It takes a while to get it up to speed but we found it glides through the shifts beautifully. This is mainly because the sails can be adjusted effortlessly. The small jib tacks quickly in a shift so you don't stall out. The windex is a valuable tool on these shifty northern lakes keeping you informed of the ever changing wind direction. Two people are very comfortable sitting to leeward. To do the same thing in a Laser I would have to sit on the deck in front of the cockpit to leeward: Not very comfortable at all.

Last weekend gave us the other extreme: It was blowing stink! We put a reef in the main before heading out. The slab reefing works very well. Pushed off with main only at first then unfurled the jib. Going with the reef was the right decision. We reached off, hull boiling through the water. A large stern wave seemed to indicate we were going pretty much at hull speed. A bit scary at first as we wondered if the mast would stay up (First time jitters.)

The weather was sunny and warm with the cockpit staying dry. Lake Rosseau isn't much of a sailors lake. Even the powerboaters stay in when it's windy. We had the lake to ourselves. Being at the top of the lake, there was little wave action until we got a few miles downwind.

Comming home was a long beat on port then a short starboard tack to the other shore. The boat is interesting to steer in heavy weather. You really have to push or pull the tiller to get a response: It feels like a much larger boat with a very long keel. We used the main to control our power, letting it out to keep level in the gusts. I'm not used to a rear sheeting main but as I adjusted my technique found it easy to control with ample purchase in the sheeting.

We decided to go up the narrow channel to our cottage so we could practice our tacking. Initially, I tended to overstear on tacks. First the boat didn't seem to be responding so I would push the tiller a bit harder. Then as we passed through head to wind I found I had the tiller over too much and it was very hard to pull it back. It will take a bit of getting used to. After sailing I realized the pivot bolt on the rudder was a bit loose. I think with the bolt tighter there is less play in the rudder assembly which should help steering control some.

Shortwave doesn't have jib winches so in the heavy stuff we sometimes had to pinch into the wind to get the jib in tight. (My oversteering didn't help much either.) We don't intend to add winches feeling that under all but the most extreme conditions they are not really needed. We may use ratchet blocks on the fairleads (An old Int14 trick.)

We also found it a bit difficult to release the jib sheet in the gusts: You really have to yank the sheet up high to release it from the cleat. I may cant the cleats slightly to help improve the releasing.

Usually, I would sail right into the dock but opted to take the easy way by lowering the sail and gingerly motoring up to the dock. (Don't want to spoil that newly polished hull.)

Considering the wind we were in, the boat is really impressive. With the exception of one wave (There's always one) we kept dry. I suppose we could have sat up on the rail to hike a bit but there seemed to be no need to. As an old racer, I may put on an extending tiller extension. Not so much for hiking but to allow me to stand up on the rail to see the shifts (or rocks while motoring).

I can't sail Shortwave this weekend and I'm sure I'll be going through sailing withdrawal on Saturday.

D'Arcy

posted June 30, 2004 08:11 AM            

I used to be good at the rear sheeting system when I sailed Enterprises. I'll be practising all weekend so I'm sure I'll have it worked out by Monday.

posted June 30, 2004 06:30 PM            

The last Scandinavian I saw on the rail using the tiller extension was a very attractive blonde Swedish woman (which is probably why the technique is so clear in my mind). She was steering a 35 foot boat through a narrow channel near Helsinki. Her position on the rail (sitting, sometimes standing) gave her a good view of rocks or shallows ahead.

As a racer, I like being up on the rail. But you're absolutely right elmet, you really don't have to in a Sandpiper. It's a very comfortable boat to sail sitting in the cockpit too.

posted July 05, 2004 11:00 AM            

If I could telescope my extension just a few more inches on Shortwave I could easily stand up. (I could even step into the cabin to get a winch handle.)

The first sailor I saw standing on the rail was Paul Elvstrom (Danish) in a Soling regatta. He would pick out wind patterns off of Centre Island and work his way out of the whole fleet. Beautiful to watch.

posted July 05, 2004 11:33 AM         

You can see the socket for my removable tiller extension. I rarely use that now.

This hinge arrangement has very very little play in it after a year of hard sailing. I dont even normally notice it because it's much less than the play in my brand new set of Gudgeon/pintels.

I would have prefered locating the hinge just ahead of the main sheet track, but I didn't know what to do with the blade downhaul bungee and the tiller tamer.
Fred

[This message has been edited by 2short S565 (edited July 05, 2004).]

posted July 05, 2004 04:33 PM         

quote:

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Originally posted by Eric:
Fred your tiller looks to be well constructed! Are you using Cetol Gloss as the final coat? Your wood has a great shine, like mine !!
A couple of other things I noticed, your cleats are in a different location than mine. Also your cockpit drains are where they should be IMHO. Mine are about 6" forward. There are always little puddles in the aft corners of my cockpit.
Looks like a mold modification CL made during production. Good improvement!
Eric

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My hull number is 1192.
Drains on mine seem to work OK fine. THe seats always drain completley but when water is in cockpit I have to stand as far back as I can to get it to completely drain the last little bit. I keep the drains clean using a piece of vinyl covered cable (Looks like a piece of close line with metal ends on it. Might have been part of a bike lock cable at one time).

I use "Cetol Marine" on all my wood. Easy to touch up each year and looks bright and shiny as you mentioned.