Century Club: George Hernandez

While only 3 feet longer and simpler than my Catalina 27, the Nonsuch haves quite differently! 

First off, in the Catalina I would raise the mainsail before raising the anchor. With the mainsheet mostly loose and producing little thrust I could then pull up the anchor and sail away. With the sail mostly aft of the fin keel any effect from the wind on the sail actually helped keep the boat pointed into the wind. In the Nonsuch as the sail starts up the forward positioned mast  it has the opposite effect and drags the boat away from alignment with the wind. In short order this got way out of hand and I had to drop the sail. Then with the diesel running I pulled the anshor and motored into the wind while raising the sail.

Also, I learned it is going to take much more practice backing this boat into my narrow slip if there is any wind. It was blowing between 10-15 knots into my slip at an angle. In order to counter the winds' effects I really needed to keep moving. I did make it in on the 3rd attempt and some practicing in the open water after my first attempt went sideways. Pretty good bump into the piling, but no damage. These pilings are spaced less than a foot more than the width of my boat. Way too tight for me as my accuracy right now backing is +/- 10 feet! haha

Sailed across the channel for a low pass of Old Point Comfort where my boat will be moving in 2 weeks.

Saw another Nonsuch but couldn't get close.

Light winds out of the NE made for a perfect day to take out my Nonsuch 30 for the first time. After a bit of difficulty raising the sail due to insufficient slack and locked reefing lines, I was under way. Even in the light air the boat seemed to move right along. Tightening the mainsheet and drawing back the choker to head upwind I was pretty happy with its windward performance. 

It was Thursday so after an hour or so of sailing back and forth, I anchored on the east end of Willoughby Bay to photograph the evenig race. Returning to my slip first attemped to dock front in but between the lines adjusted for facing the other way and it being a 3 foot step off the front to the finger pier, backing in was the way to go. Biggest problem was the tight clearance between the pilings. There can't be more than a foot so as the wind pushed me against the piling slowing me I found even a small angle would cause the boat to become wedged. In the middle of June I'll be moving to Old Point Comfort. In the meantime being at Willoughby, on the same side of the channel as I live, has made it more convient for my daily trips getting things in shape.

While I wait to sort out the path forward after last weeks demasting, I motored out to enjoy the sunshine and warmth ahead of the Thursday Willoughby Race. Will it be worth it to replace mast, boom, furler, and sails; or just start over with a new boat?

Yes it's really wierd on a naked boat. Without the inertia of the mast, every little wave rocks the boat. But, until this is resolved at least I can get out on the water!

A wonderful day! So happy to see nighttime temperatures staying warm enough for comfortable nights anchored out. With SW breeze forecast through the night I decided on East of Langley anchorage on the Back River NW Branch. Once things settled down at the shooting range 1/2 mile away, it was a peaceful night...