Good to go
07 April 2011 | Levington - Ipswich
Mainsail... Well, that particular saga turned out to be more complicated than anticipated. But then again - doesn't it always?
When I contacted the loft last week I was casually informed that the luff entry point would need to be modified to take the Ronstan cars. Surely this is the world on it's head? They could/should have used cars to suit my mast. Or if there was no other option but to use those batten cars, it would have been nice to have been told I would need to have the mast modified before I took delivery of the sails. They measured everything on the boat apart from my inside leg, so they must have known what size cars would fit my mast.
Anyway, will take this up with them in the very near future.
I was in no mood to waste any time arguing over who does what and when to deal with the situation. My e-mail to Nigel (RigMagic) turned out to have been a good move. Nigel had the thing well in hand in no time. Last Sunday, Yanni and I took Guapa downriver to SYH and left her in RigMagic's and Mr Stainless' capable hands. Wednesday: all done and dusted. Very pleased with the result - first class work. Nigel's never let us down in the past, and delivered the goods this time too. Some-one give that man a medal.
We (Yanni and I) couldn't have picked a better day to take Guapa back to Ipswich Haven than yesterday. Almost Summer. I had been a bit worried about the weather and the forecast wind. The berth we were in at SYH was quite exposed to the - at times - strong SW-ly wind and there was not a lot of room to manoeuvre.
In the end, I needn't have worried that much. The hoped for lull duly materialised and we made a clean exit.
We were well ahead of schedule, so we had some time on our hands. Let's see what that new genoa looks like. Unfurled without a hitch and 'finished with engine'. Looking good, we made good speed over the ground till Pin Mill. So, tacked and made our way downriver again till Levington. There, I gybed the boat and we now set course for 'home'. Managed to sail till Woolverstone - there the wind got to be too fickle. Engine on, Orwell Bridge, and into the marina on free-flow. Parked without much ado. And that was it.
We still had an hour and a half on our hands till 'Vic the Chip' - FMYC head chef - would pick us up for a lift back to Levington (where we had left the car). Out of the blue, Yanni suggested fitting the mainsail. Good idea. And just before three, the new main was bent on and looking pretty. Tired, back-ache, but pleased all the same. Only the reefing lines left to do, but that's not a big job. Half an hour next time we're aboard.
We're good to go. Or as good as. Apart from the reefing lines, I also need to recalibrate the autopilot. And that's us done. The open sea is calling.
I'm working the next 7 days, but afterwards I have a few weeks off and thinks to school/Uni Easter holidays, some crew readily available. Looking good. Might even sneak in a trip to Ostend when no-one is looking.
Last, but not least I have to say I'm very impressed with Yanni's 'can-do' attitude these last couple of days. He's this family's most reluctant sailor, but there was none of the usual grumpiness and moaning. Did what he was asked to do - willingly and without fail. Like he'd been born to it. Felt quite proud of my son. And grateful too. Keep it up. Extra pocket money well deserved.