Slow Down!

Had the Gulf Stream to ourselves Thursday as all others likely were heading Chris Parkers warning of 20-30 knot S, SW winds. The perfect sailing weather! Did Islamarada to Nassau 185 mile in 24 hours. The last 14 hours spent sailing with just the headsail. Heading south to the Exumas today.

Thanks MoJo

Heading south on the ICW close reaching on non tidal waters inshore of Cape Caniveral. Hit 14 knots towing the dinghy with the new Pelagic Auctopilot steering. This picture was a second run after I went and got the camera!

Later that day

A comfortable family cruiser!

600' Later

The catwalk I had made originally was rather heavy and fairly bendy. I was looking to drop the 60 pounds as well as remove the risk of damaging or breaking the catwalk when hauling anchor in a rough anchorage. The anchor had led thru the catwalk and will now launch off the forward beam. I have also added a small manual windless on the mast. I'll be carrying more chain 90' of 8mm high test on future cruises and the windless will be useful in deep anchorage. Its been a rainy past few months so haven't been rushing to get back sailing. I made this new net myself. It was much harder to make than originally envisioned, but is nearly complete. I was amazed it took a total of 600 feet of 1" webbing and I probably could have used another few dozen feet. I strung this one in place, but will built a jig and work on a flat floor of I ever do one again. Its also important to get the first few passes aligned just right, something I failed at. It was almost an epic failure and I nearly quit after the first 300' but a custom net like this would run around $2200 so that kept me motivated. Still probably had 60 labor hours in this one and still need to finish the lashings and UV coat it.

Round Island Race

Sailing outside in Exuma sound. Photo shows one of the two mid 40ish monos we passed on this 8 mile upwind leg. Someone told me a PDQ sailed the race a few years ago in these conditions and they "thought the boat might fall apart". We experienced a few slight slaps on the underwing, but nothing that disturbed our forward progress or Abbys test mug of water on the saloon table!

Salt Pond Long Island

Podium Finish

Took first in the main event the round island race and 3rd in the harbor race. I believe we would have won overall but they did not award a firsT overall this year as they were short on rum. We sailed the 18 mile course which envolved 8 miles of beating into tradewind seas only 10 minutes slower (elapsed) than a performance Crowther 42 cat with daggerboards. There was a bit of grumbling about the rating of MoJo, but we simply out sailed the other boats and pushed the boat on all points of sail; beating all cats under 46' but the Crowther boat for boat. We had so much fun we are thinking of doing Abaco Race Week this year or next.

Race Mode Georgetown, Exuma

Dinghies off, tanks empthy, but all gear and stores still aboard. Newick 42 tri anchored in background.

Staniel Cay

Mojo's Wild Gulfstream Ride

Arrived in Bimini early yesterday afternoon. Did the crossing from Key Biscaynes No Name harbor to Bimini anchor to anchor in 6 hours! A run of roughly 50 NM. When we cleared the Biscayne channel, we could just see 2 boats to the east. It turns out one was "Miss Piggy" a Norseman 500 cat. They were transmitting an AIS signal so it was apparent they were a fast boat but we didn't realize what types until we closed with them entering the Bimini channel. Wee gained roughly 4-5 miles on them on the crossing and had sailed the entire way! Winds had been forecast to be NE at 5-10 which would have been marginal sailing conditions countering the gulf stream, but actual winds ended up being 18-25 knots from the N. Looking to head on to the East early tomorrow.

Proof is in the pudding

A nice day for 13 knots

Ready

Been quite some time since my last blog update. The blog really kept me focused during the build process,must it seems less important now that I am spending my time on the water and the primary mission is accomplished! We plan to shove off for the Bahamas within the next week, weather depending.

A new mainsail

Here is a pic of the mainsail I bought from Bacon sails. This pic was taken before the recent work was done including all new batten pockets and various reinforcements.  I had basically just hoisted it here to check the fit and shape and make sure I wanted to spend the money on the repairs.  Overall, it will be a good sail for many years at a cost of about 1/4 a custom new sail.  Still slightly smaller than drawn by Richard in area, but over 100 sq feet bigger than the other sail.  

Time on the water.

Still managed a dozen or so family days on the water. New mainsail should be back from sail loft tomorrow.

A busy summer!

So many projects, so little sailing!

First Sail

Hard to get pics of the actual sailing, but I believe the Maine Cat out on charter may have gotten some.  Light winds and using an old very small staysail as a jib as the furler is not yet cobbled together. Mainsail just fits the boom with out haul maxed, old S2 9.2 sail cover fits ok. Just need some cutouts for the diamond stays. 

Time for a rest...

Floats!

Easy As.....

Launching tonight.