So last Saturday afternoon was light air...Sunday was 15-20kn with gusts at 30kn.
So, I "allowed" my family obligations to take over...BUT today was nice with wind at 5-10kn and clear skies. So, I decided to take a break from my heavy work load (there are times when working for yourself can be good) and go sailing on the new C27. I couldn't find any other free spirits (my regular pool of crew all have jobs), so I went alone. OK, this was the first single-handed sail, but hey light air so I decided to go for it. So I arrived at the boat about 2:30 and by the time I got the cover off the sail and the halyards on and dock lines cast off it was nearly 3 when I backed out of the slip. Out to the anchorage area in West River and sails up. It was pretty easy all form the cockpit. From the anchorage of West River it was a slow run out of the river, but hey this was my first single-handed venture, slow is OK. As I ran out the river, the wind began to shift to the East and the run became a beat. As I rounded the next mark it was a close beat. And the wind began to freshen. Now the wind was blowing about 12kn to 15kn. The 150 and full main were pulling me along at 5.5-6kn. I made Thomas Point by 4:30. A quick gybe and I was back to West river by 5:30. The wind was coming straight out of the river so I thought I would furl the sails and motor in. I rolled up the Genoa and went to start the engine and when I turned the key, NOTHING, not even a click. I figured the battery was off, so I switched it to all and tried again, and again, NOTHING. I unfurled the Genoa and figured I would tack up the river and into the slip (hey The English blockaded the French Coast in square rigged ships that were not as weatherly as a modern sloop and they didn't have engines!). As I started to tack over to the river I thought that maybe the engine was in gear. Sure enough, when I checked the throttle/gear shift it was barely in gear but it was enough. When I shifted it in neutral and turned the key it sprang to life and I then re-furled the Genoa and took down the main. Not a bad first day single-handing! Joe McCary Aeolus II West River, MD [EMAIL PROTECTED]
