Sunday, September 27, 2009

Amphibious Weekend (Sun)





Today, we got more errands done in the morning, then we rigged HOO-YAH!!!! up for a sail.

Launched at East of the Long Beach Yacht Club. The boat drag from the parking lot to the waterline was not bad. After rigging (40 minutes this time), we set sail and made three runs out and back. With both kids and La and I onboard, our best speed was 10.5 mph (average 8). Marlon was feeling a little green around the gills and Noe couldn't stay awake (past her nap time). La was having a blast! Until we jibed and the sail took her favorite hat off her head. We tried rescuing it, but failed - our first offering to the Gulf of Mexico.

The windward ama would fly pretty easily - Marlon was amused by the splashing water. Splashing really warm water. Splashing, really warm water and the really warm air. Nice warm day, in and out of the water. You probably get my point. But nevertheless a great day - sunny weather, puffy clouds in the sky and the family hanging out together.

I took the family in and went back out to see just how fast I could go - got 11.9 mph out of the boat. I'm not sure of the wind - but according to the websites that produce wind speed/direction charts, the wind didn't break 15 (on the gusts) and was averaging 12 - so the Weta was close (if not spot on) to matching wind speed.

We tried using the screacher - but will probably have to do a long downwinder before getting better results.

This is going to be a good substitute for the readily available surf that Port Hueneme had. Hopefully we'll be able to sail on the weekends more now.

Aloha!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Wow!!!you guys, sounds like you having fun, so glad for you, at least over there, you can be on the water too, warmer than Hueneme.