What is this a symbol of? (Hint: it begins with a "P")
10 October 2011
Correct----it is a Perfect Downwind Pole! We have completed the installation of our new Continous Line Furler System! It required fabricating a new mast plate, new deck fitting, new light air sail, new bow attachment, and new temporary bowsprit. Now it would be nice if we could just go into a big box Marine Chandlery and select one of those and 2 of these, etc. But, all but one of the parts was custom built. It took a lot of fittings, fabricating stainless steel and numerous trips up the mast. Which part was NOT custom made? You guessed it --- the pole that begins with "P". Perfect Downwind Pole.
The way all these pieces come together is that when the wind is light and from behind the beam we can keep the boat moving and stabilized WITHOUT using the iron jenny (diesel engine). Our rationale for buying this really cool setup is that we think the cost of fuel will continue to rise and we hope it will be better in the long run to sail as much as possible, not motor.
Now if we could just get away from the dock and deploy it! Three weeks and counting till departure! EEEK!