Second sail went a lot better. But still some challenges. It's a bit lengthy but I do appreciate all of your help!
Winds had pipped up to about 20 kts, gusting higher at my lake, great for sailing, challenging for rigging/launching from a boat ramp.
So, first question. 5 boat ramps one beside the other, wind was a quartering headwind, meaning 45 degrees to the port when looking straight out. I tried raising the mainsail headed into the wind on the trailer but the moment I started to drive the car, the boat wanted to sail. Off my trailer. Lowered the sail and launched, tied the painter/bow line onto the dock, allowed the boat to weather vane into the wind and just did everything while bobbing up and down. Not so easy. Any suggestions for that situation? Water was about chest deep so the halyard work was a bit tough.
Second issue was with my mainsheet 6:1 system. I had reeved it correctly, or so I thought. Sheeting in was easy, sheeting out was impossible. On a broad reach I had to physically push the boom out. I am not sure why it wouldn't take the extra line. Few thoughts- I left the mast step link connected (oops) so maybe the mast wasn't rotating correctly. My mainsheet line is a bit thick and 'fuzzy' (old), perhaps it's creating too much friction? I could switch to a smaller diameter. Or, I screwed up the reeving, but god I hope not because it took me 1.5 hrs and 5 tries. Thoughts?
Third, and the worst of all. Finally got the boat launched. Literally. It took off once we took the bow line off. On a nice beam reach, sheeted in, cruising at a very, very nice clip and finally getting to enjoy all my hard work getting her ready over the last few months. All of a sudden, I hear a ripping noise. Sure enough, one of the reefing grommets had failed and torn a 10" horizontal hole in my sail. Being 2 miles out, I immediately tacked, sheeted out fully and limped back to the dock on a beam reach. So, the big question, how to repair the sail? I read a bit on the forums and it seems there are a few ways. The guy I had with me gave me some of his "sail tape." So it seems I can use that on both sides, larger than the tear and sew it on? I like that idea. Or, would it be better to use some 3M adhesive and a sail patch? I plan on using the boat for this summer and selling it (Long story, nothing to do with the boat). After the patch job, does that mean I can never reef again because of the week point by the reefing grommet? Suggestions?
Also, as far as the reef goes. Had never got one in on a hobie before. I attached the gooseneck's clevis pin to the reefing point, rather than the tack of the mains'l. Next, I used some line and tied down the grommets to the sail bundle and boom, looping once through the grommet and tying it off. Good so far? That was my rookie attempt at a reef. How'd I do?
Lastly, as we were cruising in on a broad reach, heading towards the upwind side of the dock at a 45 degree angle, I realized we could not slow any further. I zig zagged with the rudders to dissipate energy but that didn't really help. We ended up running aground on the concrete boat ramp at a few knots, maybe a brisk walking pace. Not horrible but also not great for the hulls. I realized I have always sailed boats where we took down the main, started the motor and docked that way. So, would anyone care to share some wisdom with me on how to dock a hobie in windy conditions? Upwind/downwind side of dock, how to slow down, etc.
Thank you all for reading my short novel, but all of your suggestions have helped me get this far! So again, thank you for the help. -LP
|