I finally got the 16 out in the swells for the first time last weekend thanks to Genmar Star and the rest of the Wrightsville "junkyard crew". Man what a difference! It adds a whole new level to the sailing experience. The first day was blowing pretty good. I had sailed in those kind of winds before but never where they were so consistent. My first challenge was making my way out of the inlet and into the ocean, a task I didn't do so well on that day. The wind was coming straight down the inlet which required some timely tacking to make it out. I think all in all I blew about twelve or more tacks. I was having all kinds of trouble adjusting to the persistent wind, waves, and confined conditions. To add to the problem, my main traveler was sticking and the jib sheets kept getting twisted from the jib clew plate pullys. I became aquianted with the Wrightsville beach Coast Guard after I blew a tack near their station and was basically carried into their dock
. I managed to beach at a small landing they had to quickly untangle the jib sheet. I have to give them props for being cool about it as legally I wasn't supposed to be anywhere near there. I didn't have much room to manuvere out and immediately after I shoved off I couldn't get the rudders down enough to steer my way out of hitting their dock again, at which point one of the coasties asked me if I'd ever been on a Hobie before. That was like nails on a chalkboard. 
But I eventually made it out to the ocean and had a great time trying to keep the boat right side up. Day two was a bit better with lighter winds and I remembered how to properly tack, I'm proud to say I didn't blow a single tack or jybe the second time out, and stayed well away of the Coast Guard. Ocean sailing is where it's at, I didn't know what I was missing. Thanks again to the junkyard crew for getting me out there and helping me get over the first time jitters of ocean sailing. Now I just need to work on keeping up.