On Friday, we took the LWSC #3 sailboat for the 1st time with 5 onboard from LW boat ramp at low tide. It was a good experience. I will note several things learned:
1. Don't forget to bring the sails. Ted B. went back to our garage to get #3 sails for us.
2. The rigging of the boat took some time and will be easier and faster next time. A better, larger set of the little round SS clasps at the end of the shroud pins needs to be worked; glasses, needle nose pliers and bending the tip out might help.
3. A App that allows the mast to be fasten securely at the base forward of the hole during raising is needed, I will make one.
4. The rope that holds the rudder down needs proper setup before going in the water; the bottom rope that holds the rudder down has to thread through a slot up to the tiller for tie off before going in the water; hard to do afterwords. This is attached to the tiller and needs to be either a good bungee or have a spring attached since damage can occur to the rudder when running aground.
The rudder should be locked in the up position during launch & bring back on the trailer. The centerboard has a bungee cord that allows it to kick up when grounded--needs to be in good shape.
5. Tie the jib line on the port side of the mast and the main on the starboard side; I started taking the jib down by mistake coming in.
6. The LW boat ramp has obstacles. There is a sand bar just to the north out about 50 ft. Running aground with the rudder and centerboard locked down is a challenge. On Friday the wind was from the southeast, if the wind is from the south, best launch from the south dock. Watch out also for the jetty that is on the south. On the initial launch from the north dock, without Ted J., we let go the bow line tie to dock and turned directly into the other dock and would have crashed if not or Nick (Ted's son) jumping out to hold us off. Ted came to the rescue and somehow the 5 of us sailed off.
6. Carry small anchor and two small paddles to use coming in on strong east wind; anchor, then take down and stow sails; paddle in.
7. I didn't know two of the "girls" on the boat; one was 6 ft., looked 19 but Ted said she was 55. Does bring up liability issue.
8. Cranking back on the trailer, the boat stern was floating resulting in the keel scraping the mid trailer cross bar. Needs roller, will get one on mid bar. Low tide is hard on running aground and cranking on trailer.
9. Don't forget the sails as you leave, multiple folks involved--need a check list pre/post sail.
thanks,
jim
What?, Me?, Worry?
