Splendid news - 36322 got to launch today, July 15th 2007, a day that will be forever immortalized in the annals of sailing. We threw it on the trailer, strapped it down, and took it off to the local public launching ramp. The submersible trailer lights worked great and launching was really easy as we could just float it off as we backed into the river.

Today's mission - Dempsey's for beer.

Unfortunately we started off a bit late in the day and we had both tide and wind against us. Shawn, being determined to get up river to our designated brewery (a powerful motivator) ended up rowing using the newly installed oarlocks, no mean feat, while Mark sat back and managed/motivated the crew.

Other than the tide being pretty strong and the wind in the wrong direction, the only major issue proved to be the 'D' street drawbridge which is the only access to the turning basin. We never realized how low this thing was so we ended up having to pull into some pilings that were rather conveniently located and drop the mast. Once done, under the bridge we went, tying up next to the Petaluma Yacht Club which is just across the river from our final destination. Below, fabulous downtown Petaluma with the Yacht club in the background. There's a rather nice floating dock that anyone can tie up to.

And looking from the other direction, the wooden footbridge to Dempsey's. Petaluma is actually a pretty nice place with the turning basin here being right in Downtown. From where we're parked, there are about a billion restaurants within a couple of minutes stroll. Come visit us. Spend money here. 

 
Coming back was considerably quicker. Once under the bridge we pulled in between the piles and put up the mast and sails. With the wind behind us we flew back (though docking needed the oars). Yelled at a couple of idiots in power boats too.

Took the boat back to Shawn's place and hosed it off, and that was that. Ended up with an additional passenger. Seems to be a species of parasitic dog that attached itself to the hull.

Mullings
So there's a few things learned as one might expect
(1) it's a prettty darn tight fit close to the mast if you're 6'1". Not sure this one can be fixed. Will have to learn ducking techniques or make Shawn sit there.
(2) Carry some spare rope. One aged rope, the one that fixes the forward mast wire was rotted so we needed fresh rope..
(3) The boat's going to get a few paint scuffs so keep a supply of matching paint for touch ups when you get home.
(4) The jib sheets were a bit too big and tended to foul so we'll change them out for next time. Maybe. If we get round to it. One of these days

Amazingly there were no leaks at all. The epoxy work around the centercase, along with the hull finishing did the trick nicely. We (well, Shawn as Mark has no idea) rigged it up on the dock and off we went on our heroic voyage (after Shawn gave it a test spin round the Marina - this was OK with Mark who is a rookie sailor at best and would rather Shawn do the drowning if it sinks. It didn't - that's good.

As to rowing, we found the best way was to tie the sail down so it didn't flap, and to partially raise the gaff to keep it above our heads. It took us a while to figure this out as you might expect.

Once at Dempsey's, several well deserved cold ones were imbibed as we told great tales of sailing and our heroics. It wasn't the best planned of trips but we got there. Below their fine patio which faces the river.

Over beer, we did vow to look at the tide charts and pre-position cars and trailers for future river trips so we ride the tide in, and sail the wind out, plus have a car at our next destination so we can whizz back to grab the trailer so no sailing against both the wind and tide in a fairly narrow channel.

The good news, and probably a near future trip, is downriver, towards the Bay, about 5 miles, there is a little marina with Gilardi's fine Greek Tavern. Guess where we'll end up next time.

The only thing we broke was a footlong section of the gaff that splintered which will require a bit of epoxy and possibly some aluminum to strengthen it up, plus a little paint scuffing. All in all we escaped pretty unscathed but there will be a few odd jobs that need to be done as and when. That, and Shawn can attest to the thwart getting a little hard after an hour or so but that's another story.
 

Safe and sound. Nobody drowned so, by our measure of success, this was clearly a successful mission. Till next time.