Amy and I are planing to wet the boat in Lake Harris..We are usually in the water around 9am. We welcome all to join us. Bring your boat or call to join our crew.

I believe our friend Yarda will be joining us with his C 22.

Good Sailing

Michael & Amy

Well gang we had a nice claim easy going warm gentle Saturday cruise.

Ok it was blowing like (you fill in good word see pics) but we had company. The West Coast Trailer Sailors came over. What a nice group. What an assortment of sailing vessels.

John Stevens came over (by car) from Mission inn (delray marina). He was saying hello. He has a O-Day 26 and wanted to go with us but the winds were wipping thru the marina so much he said it would not be a good thing to try to get thru the other boats and do it safely.

I also spoke the Jack Mayer on the radio. We were going to try to meet up with him but the winds were even stronger in the bigger part of the lake. At the docks the wind was around 12 to 15 knots.   

Andy joined Amy and I and we reefed the main prior to launching. I also installed the 2nd reefing line just if needed. (it was)

We started out in the little lake trolling around (by then John at made it back to Del Ray and called to say he had his camera to cruise by and he would shoot some pic/vid.(and I thank you they turned out great).

So as we are heading out trying to get past Horseshow Island the wind starting building even stronger. I had my 8hp full on and was making maybe 2knots. The wind coming outof the West. We turned behind Horseshoe Island, which was full of bass fishermen.

So I kept going mained only reefed with no jib..When we got behind Long Island I said let me add a second reef in the main, then I put out may temp 2nd forestay. This I added so I can use hank on sails. I had a storm jib made by Advanced Sails in St Pete. Approx 30 sqft.

So now we are behind Long Island double reefed main with storm jib ready for the worst.
Out we came into the Larger part of the lake. Winds atleast 25 with higher gusts.

As we sailed an tacted back and forth Andy adjusted the leachline on the main to help with the fluttering. We finally have control and the winds were howling.  Andy said it was a nice time to try to Heave to.  When we were sailing on a close-reach it did not appear we were making any headway. Pulled out the GPS and we were hitting 5+mph heading North. Heave to our forward motion stopped and we were drifting East at around 2+mph. It works.

Andy suggested that we should maybe classed on reefing, adjusting sails, heave to. I would like this and have no problem using the Crew's Inn for training. We can have 6 people per run and have room to operate.

Let's get together and try this.

Thanks to all.