posted July 16, 2005 07:49 PM               

The last three free weekends I had, the weather had been bad, or it was way to windy (upper end of Small Craft Warning) or a sailing buddy jammed out at the last moment.

Earlier this week I was walking around the house with a big pout on (July half over and still have not been out in my new boat), so my wife agreed to go play with me on the water with Barefoot. We arrived at Falcon Lake early in the morning and I got the sails ready (We leave the boat on the trailer fully rigged but with no sails). After we launched barefoot my wife boarded for the fist time. We've had the boat for 7 months and this is the first time she had checked her out. We pulled out of the marina and motored for a while to get away from the heavy traffic of water skiers and go fast boaters. When the time was right we put up the mainsail and turned off the motor. All went quiet, barefoot healed a bit and away we went slicing through the waves. Barefoot was moving along so well we didn't even unfurl the genoa. We sailed the whole time under the main alone. we were doing 3.5 to 4 knots the whole time. We also lucked out in the fact that the wind was just perfect for a beam reach sail in each direction.

So while we were out, my wife (Shawna) started checking out barefoot. She went into the cabin and played with the table lifted up the cushions and saw that we had lots of storage space and really enjoyed the fact that Barefoot had a front hatch. She layed down to see what it was like and ended up taking a little nap below. after she awoke and came above with some cool beverages she gave me the nod of approval. For the last 7 months every time I bought something for Barefoot she just shook her head and said "Will the spending ever stop" and as I walk buy her with something in my hands for the boat I always say "Nope".

As Shawna was leaning with her back against the cabin and her legs stretched out on the port seat, she looked at me and said "Now I can see why you are always bugging me to go sailing, this is very relaxing." and my response was "I've been telling you for years, that a weekend sailing for me is as good as if not better than a week off in the city."

As we were out on the water she is now asking questions like: When are we going for an overnighter; can we get a sun shade or bimini (She sunburns very easily and she did today); and can we get sail covers to leave the sails on so we don't have to waste time getting Barefoot ready every time we go out.

I let Shawna have the tiller a couple of times so I could go forward to check a few things and soon realized she has no idea how to steer a boat with a tiller. We started going in circles with the main up and she paniced a bit (My bad).

After the sail was over we headed back to the marina. I had a tough time pulling Barefoot along side the dock. We had an offshore wind and there is not enough room to approach the dock the way I would like to so we got blown all over the place and gave the bystanders a bit of a show. Shawna will not get off the boat until it is tied up, so I had to do it all myself. After a couple of embarassing bumps against the dock I finally got her tied up (I guess I will have to go buy a couple more fenders).

After all was finished and we were driving home, Shawna turned to me and said "When can we go out again".

Today was a great day and I think my wife is hooked.

posted July 16, 2005 07:53 PM               

I'm still Gimpy and not liking it.

posted July 18, 2005 10:39 AM               

On the subject of a bimini/boom tent, I'm working on building a collapsible frame out of PVC. I have the design sketched out & have assembled the materials, but need to step the mast to take final measurements before cutting & cementing. Unfortunately, we couldn't get out this weekend so I could do it & I'm loathe to step it in the backyard; if I step it, I wanna sail it!

Anyway, when it's done, I plan to post the design. Royalties will be optional!

posted July 19, 2005 08:41 AM               

My wife first saw Shortwave in a torrential downpour. We clambered up the trailer and into the cabin. It was love at first site. Lynn loved the cabin. She never thought we would ever own a boat with a cabin, storage space, bunks, and... a head. The jaunty little boat exceeded her expectations in every way.

Sandpipers are a great couples boat. Easily handled by two with one of the most comfortable cockpits we've ever seen.

Last weekend we perfected our mast lowering technique. We can now drop the mast while motoring along. We will now be able to go from Lake Rosseau up the Joseph River (under a bridge) into Lake Joseph this comming weekend. We'll then explore Little Lake Joseph then sail south to Port Sandfield. We will then pass under another bridge back into Lake Rosseau then back up the lake (Approx. 10 miles) to home.

We're not sure how long this will take but it doesn't really matter. We've got a place to rest, lights, and good company. The wind will determine the time.

D'Arcy

posted July 19, 2005 07:00 PM               

Good for you D'Arcy.

posted July 19, 2005 10:03 PM               

You should develop a bit of a check list because there are a few other items to keep track of: Bungie or tie the turnbuckles up so they won't bend when you re-hoist the mast. Topping lift can lift the boom up to horizontal. Depending on how much the mast needs to tilt, you may have to disconnect your electrical wire to the mast head lights and VHF antennae wire at the mast step.

We're thinking of doing a Trent Severn trip. Intercoastal Waterway would also be fun.

D'Arcy, "Shortwave"