While you all posted....

A few things on Heart of Gold had gone wanting because I've been
overeager to sail rather than finish them up. So today I finished
connecting (properly) the masthead lights and instruments and swapped
out the topping lift. When I was done it was just 2:30 and I could see
the Beneteau 21's from our local school blasting back and forth. My
instruments showed 9-13 knots...perfect for some easy singlehanding.
The wind was actually a bit flukey, falling to 6 knots, popping back to
13-15, but man, can this boat fly! On a reach she just slid along at
7.5 knots, topping 8 on occasion, then hard on the wind, she clawed
along nicely heeled to about 13-15 degrees and just feeling like a big
wing on the water.
We have a J160 in our area and he came into view as I headed for
Execution rock. When he passed, I went after him. LOL, no way...he must
have been making 10 knots easy. Powerful looking boat!
Sailing the 35s5 alone does present some awkward problems. Her big
wheel requires some fast footwork at times for a singlehander and
anyone with no crew on a regular basis would be better served by a
cockpit mounted traveler of course. I young and quick, so no big deal.
A couple of times I left the wheel to trim and she held fast. I never
expected her to track so well...this is my first wing keeled boat.
Another very pleasing sail!


RB
35s5
NY