Beating to windward

Thur. 30 April

0830 up and about, boy did I ever sleep in.
have a leisurely cup of coffee and put some Ramen and boiling water in wide mouth thermos for lunch later.
1000 Haul up anchor and motor out into deeper water after hooking up cap shrouds.
Will wait until I'm more comfortable with the Flyer before sailing her out of such a tight spot.
Wind is from the south (direction I'm going... of course) about 10 kts.
Sails up,motor off, harden up and we are going 8kts.
Lay in a course for Cedar key or at least as close as I can get and turn over the helm to Max the autopilot (after my grandson Maxwell Geller).
Favored tack is port and that's the one we're on.


About 8 miles out to sea the waves are running 3 to 4 feet with a period of about 6 seconds which makes for very steep seas and the Flyer is leaping off every forth one or so and I decide to fall off about 15 degrees.
Now we are only airborne after every 16th wave, give or take one, so... it's a much smoother ride.
Yea right... smoother anyway.
Holy Shiite, we just tacked, what the frack is going on Max?
A quick look revels the ram has jumped off the tiller.
Tack back onto port and put the ram on again.
This happens a few more times and I want to tie the ram down.
If I do and have to free the helm in a hurry I may not be able to.
Need something like a rubber band.
None on board.
Try masking tape, give it a jerk and it tears free, problem solved.
1200 wind begins to veer thus heading us on the port tack.
A header on one tack means a lift on the other so its on to starboard we go.
Port is still the favored but I'll hang in here until we close the coast and hope for more header.
About every 20 min. or so I get to fall off about 10 degrees... looking good.
Average speed made good is a little over 6 kts.
2000 (8 pm) arrive Cedar Key off lying island North Key.
2020 anchor down, tidy ship, make drink, enjoy evening in cockpit.
Make ifweda rice in pressure cooker, tuna this time.
2200 time to turn in, nite shipmates.

Flyer finally in the water

29April 2009
I finally got away for a few days to make the Cedar Key messabout hosted every year by the West Coast Trailer Sailor Squadron.


I hauled the Flyer down to Keaton Beach behind a very reluctant pick-up I call Ole Blew.
Reluctant because after about 10 min. out it started missing and coughing and occasionally backfiring threw the carburetor.
Hell bent on going sailing I push on and finally arrived at the boat ramp around 6:30 this evening.
Rigged the Flyer for launch and put her in the water.
Very low tide caused me to bump bottom with rudder.
While hauling up rudder, with engine still in gear at idle, bow pole hits front of power boat in davits overhead.
Bow pole breaks at u-joint... shit!
Guess I won't get to use the screecher this weekend.
It's after dark by the time I'm out of the channel and anchored behind the breakwater.
Unfold floats and lock them down.
Retire to cabin for for a much needed Nikie (rum and ginger ale with a twist of lime).
Sit in cockpit and enjoy the beautiful night until the rack monster calls.
Go below and put my body on the shelf.