Test Drive

So I had the boat out yesterday.

It was a nice day with 10-15 kts from the south. The wind was a bit light for discovering flaws, but the boat felt good. The Dacron main is a little baggy and the 135 has a protective luff tape like it was made for a roller furling headstay.

I didn’t detect anything that might make me suspicious of the keel. The boat is stiff and handles well. I was impressed with how it points. Especially given the light wind, the main’s condition, and the haphazard jib trim. There was a slight chop in the bay but only the foredeck got wet.

I was not impressed with the control layout. The jib halyard is on the mast. The winches are out of reach. I’m not real fond of the traveler location. It is only a few inches beyond the end of the tiller so the helmsman is trapped in a little corner of the cockpit. Yesterday I chose to step over the tiller and duck under the boom during tacks; probably not the best way to do it.

We were out for about an hour and then had to head in so the owner could get to work. I blatantly skipped my daily client conference call.

Back at the dock, I went to see the general manager. He confirmed that if the boat changed hands I would have to sign a new 12-month lease. The boat is in his smallest slip at 30 ft. The slip fees include water and basic cable (my wife thinks this is funny). It also includes a $5/month fee for electricity, on top of which they bill for usage. Total with sales tax comes to $405/month.

Tenants get free use of the facilities: bathrooms, showers, laundry, and pool. None of which I’d use. There is a nice little pub next door. The pub I think I would use.

Rules are pretty basic. No paint or fiberglass work at the dock. No storing junk on the dock except in the slip’s dock box. Boats have to be insured for $300K liability. They are well protected and if a hurricane is coming they only ask that boats double-up the docklines. There are 5 or 6 marinas nearby where a sailboat can be hauled out for more extensive work.

When I got home there was an email from the previous owner waiting. I had asked to get in touch with him about his experiences with the boat. Specifically the keel. He had the boat for six years. When he got it there was a Cal 22 shoal draft keel on the bottom. He hated it, so being an engineering type, he designed a new one. He says he’s very pleased with the results. If anything, he thinks the boat outperforms the standard rating. I suspect these posts may have to come down if I start racing.

He also says the hull is pristine, without a single blister. He said there were no hidden maintenance items that he was aware of. He says the Kevlar main is in good shape, but the genoa probably only has one racing season left before it should be retired.

All sounding good.