The first time you take a boat out to test her out. See what she can do and how to handle her it’s called a shake down. We made a plan on how we were going to get out of our tight slip and out of the Marina. We also made a mental list of all the systems we needed to check and try out. This gets over whelming so we say lets get out raise the sails with a reef just to get a feel. We will release the Jib so we have optimal steerage. We even go over what to do if things go bad. “BAD” what could go bad? This certainly isn’t our first time sailing. But it is our first time sailing this boat. Not to mention that we are in tight quarters. We chose a time that the tide was high and slightly slack before heading out.
We need to make a 90 degree turn out of our slip with a 3 foot clearance bow and stern. Pass the boat dock, the guest slip and fuel station, the Bar and restaurant where everyone loves to sit and watch the boats go in an out. We also need to remember to blow our horn majestically as we leave. Only problem with that is instead of a majestic horn we have a small handheld that sounds as if you’re just letting hot air out of an over inflated balloon. It brings a giggle or six.
We were nervous but she backed up kicked her stern to port helping with the 90 and away we went. The current gently carried us out straight. Impressive. Not to shabby. As we enter the channel we stow all the fenders, secure the boat hook, and ready our lines. Sam goes up to the Mast unzipping the sail pack on his way. Jes turns into the wind and Sam begins guiding the slugs into the mast track. Jes pulls the main halyard and up goes the sail. Sam comes back to finish with the winch while Jes keeps it into the wind. Then after looking around begin our turn and the wind fills the sails she heels ever so slightly and away we go. So smooth, so elegantly. She quickly raises to 6 knots and holds. We enjoy the sail down the river. Commenting on how comfortable she is. How smooth her movements are.
We are s
ailing down wind and the tides are on their way out at this time. We keep that in mind and after an hour or so we decide to Jib and head back to the Marina. We knew the wind should be picking up in the evening. We change course as easy as the first time. Tacking up the river it is all still going well. A sense of excitement comes over both of us as we realize that everything everyone has told us about this particular boat is true. She is sturdy. She knows how to sail. She will take care of us. She listens so well.
Even when a more powerful gust sneaks up she held her course because Jes is telling her to and she heels hard and so quickly that everything not strapped down headed to Starboard, including Sam. Jes realized she couldn’t reach the main sheet from where she was at the helm. Forgot she could spill wind instead of pushing the limits of speed and heel. Sam let out the main sheet and so calmly asked Jes if she was alright several times. She was alright. I don’t think Sam was however. I think he thought we were going over.
We returned to the Marina happy and excited for this adventure. Knowing she floats and the motor runs is only a small part. The most exciting thing is she feels like home. She feels like a part of us. I can see why George had such a hard time of letting her go.