Sort Of Summer . . .Sort Of!

SHIP'S LOG:

     The season's weather so far has been a bit strange. Perhaps more than a bit strange.  Monday it was like August, but then the storm raged through around 6pm dropping rain and the temp and it wasn't August no more. Tuesday started out fine, not quite August but then the sun went away, the wind picked up out of the north east and it was wind and rain and rockin' & rollin' all night long. Wednesday dawned bright and clear though the wind continued. According to Ledge Light, it was out of the north-north-east, at 25 with gusts to 35. Then it died off to a whisper just in time for the Wednesday night races. Thursday was great but no wind in the morning, though it picked up to about 10 in the afternoon. It has been hot most days but cool-cold in the evenings. More rain than we need. It has just been strange.

     I had a chance to sail on Tom Doyle's boat, BAGATELLE, a 43ft custom KISS. It is basically a daysailer that is very, very fast. It is definitely built for speed and not for comfort. It was difficult to find a comfortable place to sit and there were lines and winches and clutches running everywhere.  In a pinch it could be sailed by one person, if they knew the boat, but getting underway and back to the mooring would be "exciting" to say the least, especially in any type of "weather." Unfortunately for Tom, the boat has presented a whole host of little pain-in-the-but problems. The roller-furling system he has for his asymmetrical spinnaker somehow manage to roll the sail up in two different directions at the same time. It must have taken a good half hour getting it unwound by hand on the foredeck. then there was a little problem getting the transmission to go into reverse. Like I said, a whole host of little but exciting and aggravating problems. But when all is right, she really, really goes!