"Scout" wrote in message
. ..
It was awesome! We went out a few miles offshore, out through the Bass
and Mullica Rivers, across the Great Bay, then the Inlet at Holgate,
sailed North past Beach Haven; at the end of the day we logged a 40 mile
sail. The inlet was a bit choppy but the ocean was nothing but peaceful
swells. NOAA was predicting 10-15 from the West, but we were getting an
easterly sea breeze that was pushing us too close to shore, so we tact out
until we were about 2 miles offshore.

The boat will take some getting used to. I noticed a lot of side slippage
but we experimented a lot and our water depth ranged from less than 2 feet
to 70 feet, which means we had that centerboard all over the place. I have
a lot more boat now, and she's a beauty, but my first impression is that
my old Precision (Starwind) was a much more responsive boat - I'll save
final judgment until I have more experience with the Seaward.

A few minor mechanical problems were worked out and one problem with my
fuel system still needs to be resolved. My physics teaching friend who
also did a few years as an engineer on a tuna boat came with me and put
his talents to work going over many of my mechanicals and making
suggestions.

The horseflies were on us like a deluge. It seems they also appreciate the
shade of the bimini. Once offshore though, they were all but gone and we
had just one lone butterfly to keep us company. I took one video and it's
30 megs. I'll get pics on the next trip.
Scout


Wow... nice sail! Leeway is more pronounced with shallow draft vessels, so
don't feel too bad.

Horseflys... blech... we used to kill them down in Yuma, AZ, then tack their
carcasses on the shade trees as a warning to other flies. It didn't help
much, but it made us feel better. Couldn't kill them with a knotted up
towel, just stun them.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com