Alice and I actually sailed this weekend. Yes the boat left the mooring, sails were raised, wind blew and the boat moved. No incidents and very little work was done.
On Saturday we had another frustrating issue with the bloody outboard. It would start but would then die. It was blowing 15-20 kts so we wimped out on sailing off the mooring. It felt a little ambitious for a shakedown sail.
On Sunday we decided that come what may we were sailing. Iffy weather was predicted but as it turned it was a gorgeous day.
We skipped the outboard altogether and sailed easily off the mooring. We had a nice steady 10 kts beating East as far as Old Orchard Light within few miles and in view of the of the Verrazzano Bridge. We headed back on a broad reach not a point Messing About is a fan of. At this point the wind dropped below 5 kts. Of course! We crept along for a while, nervously dallying with the ship channel, sailing at less than 2 kts. It was getting frustrating. As we had to get back home by 6, I gave the outboard a crank. I had little expectation that it would oblige but it started easily and ran like a top. Thank you Oh God of the Outboard.
Today was another beautiful day. We took our sailing mates Terry and Claude out for a sail. First guests of the year. They are great sailors and former RYC members so they were perfect first guests. It was an outstanding day. Clear skies, 10 kts, great company and Memorial Day celebrations on return.
It made all the hours of work on the boat worth it!
Roll-on Saturday!