Hi Danelle
. The good news is, due to the boltrope system on the main, I am finally ready to publish my "Alaskan Profanity Encyclopedia"! Ha ha. With no one to keep the boat pointed into the wind, I had a *really* annoying time trying to get that sail up! The $60 pre-feeder we bought awhile ago was a total failure. The sail got mashed up in it worse than it gets fouled up in the mast slot. I think it was designed for a stiffer sail.
For what it's worth, I usually set the headsail on a starboard tack before hoisting main. That way I can get the boat settled on a (strbd) beam reach, get my butt on the coach roof and work the main up.
I was heeled about 25 degrees for about 45 minutes straight, and one question I have for you guys is, how typical is it, for the centerboard to bang around while close hauled? We got used to it banging when we'd run downwind (then we'd reel it up), but is it normal for it to bang around while beating into the wind? How much stress can the pins and cb slot handle? I did have a wild current pushing against the wind, and some crazy washtub like wave action, so with the strong heeling, I was thinking the waves must have been pushing the cb around more than normal?
My never bangs to wind but does downhill....and I often crank it up downwind.
This was such an amazingly fun sail, even if I was alone. The genoa dragging into the bright, sharp waves, the sunshine, the slice of the hull against the saltwater...aaaahhh. It was awesome!
I have had many days like that this season already. What fun! Good for you...SAIL ON.
Off for another day in Paradise. Cheers, Tim and his M17 PUFF on Canada's Med...... Okanagan Lake. (gonna be 100 degrees today....and windy)