Captain’s log #3*

Kite!

In a change to the planned programme, on Saturday Arthur and I were joined by a pal of his. Keith (for that is his name) and Arthur are plugged in to the same sailing social circles and between them probably know everyone who sails, from mid-Wales up to Liverpool. Probably.

Why did you take Keith along with you?

That’s a good question and I’m glad you asked.

The object of Saturday’s sail was to fly the kite (get the spinnaker flying). We’ve never tried this before and Arthur said it might be a good idea if we had three pairs of hands.

We left Deganwy and motored down the Conwy and out into the open sea. There was yet another stunning lack of wind. This lack of wind is really quite freakish.

Anyway.

Arthur set up the spinnaker pole and the spinnaker sail in its sailbag, attached the sheets and when we caught a strengthening gust of wind over 8kts, raised the sail. You can see it in the header photo, it’s the big red, white, and blue thing out the front of the boat.

Unfortunately the wind was intermittent, but we got about 45 minutes use of the kite before we lowered and stowed it.

Back in the marina I refuelled and then moored on my berth (and how easy is it to berth a boat when there are two other pairs of hands at the ready!).

Total distance, according to the log, a measly 14nm.

I’m thinking of getting her lifted out of the water now, and looking at whether she needs antifouling, and check the state of the anodes. And, while she’s in a cradle, I can crack on with the list of jobs.

*It’s only #3 on this blog. The actual ship’s log has considerably more entries.