Test Sail

3 JUNE 2010 - FIRST SAIL

Our first sail on Circe came after a generally successful survey at the Marina Village slip in Alameda. We took her for a short run up and down the Oakland Estuary with the Owner and our surveyor on board. Unfortunately there wasn't much of a breeze but we were able to see how she moved in light air and how easily the sails raised and doused, as well as seeing what kind of condition they were in.

Both sails were only a few years old and lightly used. The Main was in excellent shape and the Genoa was also in good condition but the UV cover was frayed about halfway up the leech. It looked like the sail had been sheeted in too hard and had been chafing on the shrouds near the spreaders. The 135 Genoa gives a large overlap and it can be difficult to adjust it for good performance while still keeping it off the shrouds. Sheet lead position can be critical in avoiding the problem, particularly when heading to weather, and the 135 might prove to be a bit too much sail for mid-summer afternoons on S F Bay, we'll see.

The running rigging was all fair to good, except for the Main halyard. It is an original wire-to-rope type and had a couple of good sized 'meat-hooks' on the wire section so it will have to be replaced and maybe converted to all rope.

The boom is a Kenyon section and the mast is from Le Fiell and both are in serious need of an Awlgrip paint job. The Owner reported recent replacement of all the standing rigging, all of which inspected in good shape, but evidently neither spar was painted during that rigging replacement. The damaged UV cover and lack of painting went on the 'negotiation' list!

Checking out the frayed UV cover on Genoa.

Another view of the frayed UV cover. However, despite the damaged leech, the genny still had a nice shape, although the lazy sheet got hung up in this shot.   

                     

The end of the boom showing reefing lines which are good shape having been recently replaced.

The Main is in very good shape but that stack-pack and lazy jacks are another thing. A lot of clutter for a little convenience! We'll see how things go when we are actually living with them on the water.

Taking everything into consideration Circe checked out in good shape. Next stop, the boat yard!