Deep River, Connecticut. On Sunday, September 14, the boat showed once again that it is perfectly capable of floating. I always wonder, in those intervening months…
From the ramp, we went around the couple hundred yards to my friend Warren’s dock. The same afternoon, the mizzen sail went on…
Still to go, a little more interior wiring that wasn’t quite done, and rigging the mainsail, after which the boat should be ready for action. Steering was nice, on the way over here, so that felt good. Sea trials in the river, hopefully soon…
Many thanks to all!
I am so glad to see you on the water! I know you said it was ok if it didn’t happen — but your smile says otherwise. Congrats! CarolB
Hi Carol,
Yes, it sure is nice when you actually get the prize :-) It’s nice to not have to wait through the winter, both for the water fun, and for getting to see how everything works. Looking forward to more of both!
Lots of love,
Shemaya
Very handsome! I wonder how you’re going to sheet the mizzen, given the junk rig. It’d be nice to know who’s who in the photos. I guess you’re wearing a tie-dyed shirt in one picture, but who is everyone else? Is your new house going to allow you a fall adventure?
Hi Jeff,
Thanks! The backlighting makes the mizzen picture kind of interesting – we don’t have any raised sail photos, so far, with more regular light. On the plus side, you can actually see the lines on both sides of the sail, which helps show the answer to the sheeting question. Both the mainsail and the mizzen are being rigged with double sheets – an entire set of sheetlets and everything, on both sides of the sail. Rather like the double sheets that were on the original sprit boom mizzen, which I liked because of the fantastic control that is then possible, both for lashing the sail in position, usually at anchor, and for easy backwinding of the sail for maneuvering the boat. With the mainsail, double sheets will help to keep the cockpit clear, as well as providing that additional control.
As far as the people, the woman in the tie-dye shirt is Melissa, Suzanne’s sister, and the man with her, standing on top of the boat, is Melissa’s husband Richard. The two of them brought their truck for the occasion. The woman in the red cap is Theo, and I’m in the light-colored, widebrimmed hat. Holding dock lines are Warren, on the left, and his friend Brandon, whom I just met that day. Suzanne somehow missed being in any pictures at all, this time around.
We’ll see about where things will be going next – presently still in Deep River, continuing to work on the various bits. Sure will be a treat to try the sails!
Cheers,
Shemaya
Hooray and congrats, Shemaya, to you and Suzanne and all your helpers! Great photos! Look forward to seeing how the sail works – different positions, etc. Anyway, you all did it – well done!
Much love,
(Aunt) Patsy and Bill
Hi Patsy and Bill,
Thanks so much! And yes, isn’t that team something. What an adventure the whole thing has been, so far without so much as leaving the dock! But lovely, out here on the river. Between the stars, and the stillness, it’s definitely worth all the effort. I agree, about further photos with the sails at different angles. Hopefully soon!
Love,
Shemaya
It was an absolutely beautiful day, and the launch went extremely well. All that hard work prior to the launch paid off! Have a great time on the water.
Hi Suzanne,
Yes, what a beautiful day that was. And such a nice time seeing the boat go in the water. So many thanks to the great team, and to you!
So far so good, on the lovely weather, and nice sailing – home soon!
Love, S.