Had a wonderful solo sail on Sunday afternoon, April 7, after having been in Louisville, KY all weekend on a Bourbon Trail Tour.
Took the kayak out on Monday afternoon, April 8.
Went out with a buddy on his powerboat for the first boat ride of the year on Tuesday, April 9.
Went out with the same buddy on my sailboat on Wednesday, April 10.
After a great Easter service and family dinner in the afternoon, was able to get out on Lark from 6-8 pm for a glorious eveining sail.
Had a great 4-hour trip out with Lark's 4-person crew, for the first time this season. Practice upwind mostly, including a half a dozen starts, and then a crew overboard drill. Really worthwhile -- and a wonderful March day in the low 60's with 8-18 knots.
Easier and easier to do as it gets warmer and the days (thankfully) grow longer.
Crisp afternoon in the high 40's with wind from the east from 5-10 knots, but full sun, made for a nice ride up Valentine Creek and back. Going into the breeze on the way back kicked up chop that went across the bow of the kayak, but very enjoyable ride nonetheless.
Used the sailboat as a barge to put in two bumpers on our new dock -- to protect Lark as she's readying to enter the lift. First two screws on each side went into the bumpers just fine, but the lower ones required us to put Lark perpindicular to the dock and use her open stern to best advantage. Wonderful to have such a low boat for this work!
Then put the house battery in and installed the genoa and the main for the first time this season and then took her out. Beautiful 63 degree day with 8-10 knots of breeze gave us 4-4.6 knots upwind and 3.2-3.6 knots running home. Still working out making the turn to get Lark up close to the dock so we can get her in the lift. A work in progress. But a great start to the sailing year!
Leap Day provided an opportunity to get out again; been a while, and good to loosen up and get out there.
After getting our new dock installed during the last half of January and the first half of February, was thrilled to be able to drive my sailboat from Smith's Marina back home to my new dock. Although the lift wouldn't lower enough to allow the boat to get on it when I arrived, I waited two hours, the water rose, and I was able to get the boat on. A brand-new winter cover was installed the same day, and I was excited to end up with my boat on my new dock in its new cover. In time for bad weather!
59 degrees out, and whle it was cloudy, the opportunity to go kayaking was too good to pass up. Rode under our new dock for the first time, which is high enough up above the water that I can go completely under it. Checked out how docks are constructed, and then the wiring for the lifts and lights. Then had a beautiful ride around Valentine Creek. Beautiful!