Sea Glass Goes to Sea (Finally!!)...
A true red letter day for me. We finally got Sea Glass in the water, with the splendid help and great company of Colin and Nick - very many thanks. After lots of tinkering in the sailing club compound whilst waiting for the tide to come in, I drove Sea Glass on her trailer round to the slipway with some considerable trepidation. It was great to have Nick on hand to give lots of helpful advice and reassurance.
Sliding Sea Glass off the trailer took some time - she was teasing us and not really wanting to get her bottom wet. After some pushing, pulling and rocking, she eventually started sliding off the trailer into Ashlett Creek. We then swung her round and brought her alongside the quay.
Soon afterwards, we fired up the outboard, very much to my relief and delight. It purred beautifully. We then put to sea, into quite a stiff breeze and grey sky. Out past the terminal jetty and into Southampton Water. We hoisted the staysail and then the yankee, then the mizzen. A lovely sail combination, giving good drive and balance. We glided close past the P&O liner, Ventura. We then hoisted the main, with one reef in, and sailed up Southampton Water towards Southampton.
The wind steadily tailed off, and we shook out the reef. We tacked, then did a couple of gybes, and then headed back towards Ashlett on a marvellous broad reach. We downed sails and motored into Ashlett with a lovely low sun over the inlet, and the sounds of a country and western band playing at the Beer Festival being held at The Jolly Sailor..
We came gently onto the club pontoon, then managed a textbook recovery. The winching seemed really hard work. Colin later confessed to me that the winch was on the highest gear setting - well, good fitness training. We then packed away and headed for home. A really splendid day, and a great first outing in Sea Glass....
Sliding Sea Glass off the trailer took some time - she was teasing us and not really wanting to get her bottom wet. After some pushing, pulling and rocking, she eventually started sliding off the trailer into Ashlett Creek. We then swung her round and brought her alongside the quay.
Soon afterwards, we fired up the outboard, very much to my relief and delight. It purred beautifully. We then put to sea, into quite a stiff breeze and grey sky. Out past the terminal jetty and into Southampton Water. We hoisted the staysail and then the yankee, then the mizzen. A lovely sail combination, giving good drive and balance. We glided close past the P&O liner, Ventura. We then hoisted the main, with one reef in, and sailed up Southampton Water towards Southampton.
The wind steadily tailed off, and we shook out the reef. We tacked, then did a couple of gybes, and then headed back towards Ashlett on a marvellous broad reach. We downed sails and motored into Ashlett with a lovely low sun over the inlet, and the sounds of a country and western band playing at the Beer Festival being held at The Jolly Sailor..
We came gently onto the club pontoon, then managed a textbook recovery. The winching seemed really hard work. Colin later confessed to me that the winch was on the highest gear setting - well, good fitness training. We then packed away and headed for home. A really splendid day, and a great first outing in Sea Glass....
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