Commander #65 "Lucky Dawg"

[Lucky Dawg]

Amazing how "buff" the your original hardware is!

Thanks Mike, again, kudos go to PO - he had much of that chrome redone. I am realizing now what a significant investment that was. The only thing I'm "doing with (my) boat" so far is sailing!

[Lucky Dawg]

Fun, very windy day on the lake. Wind built to 17kt with 22kt gusts - overpowering us a smidge! Sooo… new experience of reefing the main whilst underway – a little hairy threading a line through the reef points what with frenetic flapping in the gusts. I know I can use hooks, but making due under the circumstances. I have to research here a better reefing setup – especially outhaul – not that I needed sail efficiency in the wind today, but the sail shape probably wouldn't pass muster…

[Che]

Hi Kyle...
We have experienced some gusty winds this summer here in the Bay Area...and I have noticed that when I am underway and need to reef...I simply hove-to....everything mellows out...and it gives me all the time I need to put a reef in the Main...once the reef is in....I simply tack the jib over and continue on my way...My main is set up with Jiffy reefing and it has worked well...Just a thought...enjoy...

Adam

[Bill]

"Jiffy" or "slab" reefing is simple and a relatively easy system to operate. It can even be a "single line" set up (see Harken). Running the line(s) back to the cockpit make it very safe -- Starboard tack, lower the main, pull the reefing line(s), raise the main. Continue sailing. A Google search on jiffy or slab reefing will likely show you the setup.

[Lucky Dawg]

ahh yes... heaving to would have made more sense. I apparently like to do things the hard way. My vast experience shows....

[mbd]

How to heave-to?

I know it's here somewhere, but I'm curious how it's done, especially when you need to reef. Backwind the jib and tie the tiller off to windward, right?

Can you heave-to with both sails?

PS. Recently saw a picture of Che on the Monitor Windvane site...

[commanderpete]

I've found it varies with the wind, sea state and how big a jib.

You may need some drive from the main to get the bow closer to the wind--ease the main and/or tie the tiller to leeward

[mbd]

Thanks CP - I got over my laziness and hit the search and have been reading up on it. I just need to get out there and try it out, now. Not much season left though, haul out is scheduled for October 11.

[Lucky Dawg]

Silly question at this late date, but can someone tell me the function of the woodwork just to port of the sink in my post #9 http://pearsonariel.org/discussion/s...93&postcount=9? It would be nice if the forward section held the hatch boards, but it's too narrow. I wondered if the taller aft section is for my fire extinguisher - which is attached to the bulkhead. I thought a function would eventually present itself, but not as of yet.

Had some photos of Lucky Dawg taken yesterday afternoon. I had been carrying around a disposable camera for several weeks waiting for an opportune moment to get someone to take some pictures. This guy and his dog were motoring by in a Boston Whaler just as I was hoisting my sails. Flagged him down and as I went to hand him my crappy camera, he whipped out a monster professional camera with a foot-long lens. Said he had just come out to take pictures. I must be living right.

I know she is a pretty girl, but I've never seen her from this perspective.