Crazy Friday

Friday Night was a yobs night. But the wind was gusting over 20 mph and had been 20 gusting 26 !
So the bigger kids were restricted to sailing in the river and only 3 boats were needed.
This freed me up to go sailing :+) Most of the (smaller) kids elected to do games in the yard with Michael S.

Nick innocently suggested that we take the Merlin ! OK I said, trip No 6 in Plum Crazy. We had dire warning from the safety boat crew and much mickey taking from Phil S. about death and carnage.

Nice run out into the bay. But the rudder was pulling like pit-bull. I turned on to a broad reach and we scooped a bath full. We nearly capsized there and then as I has trouble dumping the main. Much scrabbling about and wallowing in the swell followed.
We set off down wind and away from the river water draining as we went. The further from base the less I felt comfortable. (I'm such a wuss)

Then Nick took over and he got the beast plaining. In the gusty conditions I was popping up and down or fully out. Crazy. The waves were hitting the bow and the swooping curves of the hull threw the spray over me but not Nick. (now I know why I am crew)

Then Nicked turned for home and we flipped over. I managed to dry capsize but Nick got dunked then I slipped and fell in :+) We got the old girl up and dry them we turned more carefully for home and it was OK.

We crashed the waves all the way back to the river mouth. Ripping Fun then we sailed up and down the river with the Yobs.
In the calmer winds we played with the spinnaker but it was rigged wrong so we had little control. At this point I was on helm and hauling the kite up while steering is something I need to work on ! Well just add that to the list.

Generally it was wrong to go out into the bay, I was concerned for my boat and myself while out there but it was still fun. Nothing broke and nobody died !
I need to work on my boat handling skills (those Fevas are far too forgiving) and my leg strength.
I just want to do it again in slightly less wind.

Thanks Nick, lets do it again.