Bringing in the Potter

Paul Anstett (panstett2@yahoo.com)
Mon, 5 Oct 1998 20:22:28 -0700 (PDT)


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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55 degrees and my son and I are motoring our Potter 19 two miles
across Lake Sallie to the public launching site. Winds were 15-20
mph, yet in our favor. To date, I had never taken SarahSpunda out of
the water...the launching site was where she had entered five months
ago.

Rain and much stronger winds were in the forecast, but I felt our
timeliness in the Fall closure was safe for the day. I felt pretty
confident about docking and bringing the boat out of the water, even
though this was to be a new experience.

The eight foot trailer modification I had a friend weld onto the
trailer worked great, but as I reeled the boat onto the trailer the
V-groove on the trailer front was too high and tore out about 4 inches
of molding on the foredeck. I couldn't believe it! The V-groove was
in the same position as when the boat was delivered to me last Spring.

I let the boat back into the water and brought it gently (I thought)
back onto the trailer. There was some resistance, yet I kept winding
the cranking handle. The webbing snapped-broke completely-and the
boat swiftly drifted back into the water.

Okay...I'm a novice. I have wrecked molding, and the trailer cranking
webbing probably should not have snapped. Yet even though I modified
to finally get SarahSpunda out of the water, I truly believe the
process should have been easier.

Mindy Moe, a former Potter owner, came over a few days before to visit
and recollect about her wonderful sailing experiences. I should have
had her direct my Potter exit out of the water. For all new Potter
owners my experience should suffice...seek all the experience that can
be had!

Paul Anstett
SarahSpunda
#1022 P19
Fargo

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