First Sail
Jim Sinclair (jsinc@ftconnect.com)
Sat, 20 Mar 1999 20:44:27 -0800
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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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Saturday, March 20th, the first day of spring and a beautiful day in
Portland, Oregon! Blue skies, high wispy clouds (a sign of what we're in
for tonight and tomorrow) and temps in the mid 60's.
It's only our second time in the water, the first time with enough wind to
actually sail. We launch at 42nd and Marine Drive on the Columbia River.
10 to 15 knts of wind from the south at 12:30 and we sail away up river (to
the east) on an easy broad reach with the full main and genoa. By 1:30 to
1:45 we're nearing the I-205 bridge and the wind drops off. I notice that
the house on the Washington side is moving the wrong way... no wait, it's
US, we're moving the way! Since we're no longer making headway against the
current, we come about and the wind comes up again. We take off like a
shot. (3 to 4 knts of current and a steady broad reach really rocks!) By
the time we reach 42nd street again the wind is now 15 to 25 and we're
clearly overpowered (at least for our experience level with our new Potter).
I had noticed earlier that the stays on the leeward side were loose and hung
somewhat limp. I figured that was normal. However, at this point I noticed
that the upper stay on the starboard side (and we're on a starboard tack)
has actually come undone at the turnbuckle! I was able to quickly reattach
and retension it, but it could have been a lot worse!
So now the question for the more experienced among you. How DO you
tension your rig? And how do you keep it from undoing itself underway or in
transit on the trailer? Do I have to spin a nut onto the threaded portion
of the turnbuckle to effectively "double nut" the center portion?
As usual, all comments are welcomed, I've learned a ton from you all
already. Thanks.
Jim Sinclair
WWP19 #1084 "Second Wind"
Portland, Or.