2007 Logbook of the Sailing Vessel Strait Rhumb
Being an irregular account of the voyages undertaken on the Nordica 16 Strait Rhumb out of the Charlottetown Yacht Club.
5 October 2007 - Friday
A fine sunny day. Recovered shackle for the vang which I though had fallen overboard. Left the slip at 14:00. Very stiff N.W. wind whipping created waves the harbour. Tide rising. Genoa and main deployed but within .5 miles realized that Strait Rhumb was overpowered. Hove to and reefed main without difficulty but as wind rose was still overpowered. Tacked into shore near Blockhouse and changed to working jib. Drifted near shore and touched but did not go aground. Proceeded to within 1 mile of Spithead buoy and then tacked. Very wet ride back as wide was on the nose. Sailed to RR Wharf and passed Holland America cruise ship. Slow return to slip. Sailed in. Tied up at 5:45.
6 October 2007 - Saturday
Another fine day for sailing with a northerly breeze. Replaced snap shackle which had broken when removing jib after last sail. Left slip under sail at 10:30 and went halfway across harbour under genoa winged out with whisper pole. Raised main at Rosebank buoy. Passed Fitzroy Rock buoy at 12:30 on a falling tide. 2 hours to go 7 knots. A good speed for a Nordica. Sailed east to pass Governors crib buoy then around east end of Governors Island. Wind shifting to NNW and rising. Tacked into Belleview range light and reefed main. Sailed to Holand Cove and then several tacks through harbour gut. Had to motor in last 100 yards owing to strong Northerly. Tied up at 16:30. 6 hours - 21 nautical miles.
8 October - Monday
Thanksgiving Day. Last race of the year and run in the morning instead of the very short evening. Start at 10:00, Very brisk NW wind. Course downwind to Railway buoy, west to Rocky Point, Battery, York. 12 boats - a astonishing number for this late in the year considering we had only 4 last Monday night. No crew as Ben was away. Not a great starting position as I was too high on the line. I was able to rig the whisker pole for the Rocky - Battery leg and am developing a method to rig it single handed. Gusty wind on upwind legs meant rail was in the water much of the time and I discovered how difficult it is to sail and bail at the same time. Fished the whale pump intake out of the stern locker, wedged it underfoot and then used one hand to steer and the other to pump. Pleased to say that I was able to keep my line on the buoy and lost hardly any time. Finished in usual last position but had a very good sail .
13 October - Saturday
Last day of sailing for the 2007 season. Left dock at 10:15 with crew aboard. Ben took the tiller for the whole day. Good wind 20 kph WSW. Crossed harbour and went up North River as far as causeway as tide was high. Tacked around and skirted park to return to the Yacht Club. Sailed into haul out slip at 12:40. On first try boat was not centred on trailer and had to re-launch and try again. Successful haul out and then pressure washed hull. NOted what appears to electroloysys on rudder fitting which will have to be replaced for next season. Removed all gear from boat.
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