On the 13th the boat was launched and work on the list continued. Added to the list were dinghy outboard servicing (changing the oil and crankcase fluid). Today we went out on a test sail with the install team to make sure the top-down furler functioned correctly. It is good we did because the rigger had attached the clew to the furler so the sail was backwards. We took it down and attached it correctly. We then tested using the furling line with a manual ratchet as well as the primary electric winch. In less than ten knots we had the boat moving around six knots on a broad reach which was pretty exciting! We are looking forward to using the spinnaker more often. This will speed up our passage times downwind in wind below 18 knots and require less engine usage. Earlier in the day we had unrolled the main sail off the boom to replace the spindle bolt. The manufacturer had sent us a new one since the old one lost its end and we were lucky to catch it halfway falling out on the way from Brunswick. In to process of putting the main back on our rigger happened to be present attaching the new backstay extensions and noticed a hairline crack in the boom gooseneck fitting. The bad news is this could cause the boom to fail so we are going to have to get it taken off, re-welded, and the section painted. This will delay our departure north for one week so we will be hanging out in Annapolis a little longer than we planned.
2 comments
Do you leave it on permanent or rig it up when conditions are favorable for the spinnaker? Looks like a lot of extra windage.
Unlike the the other sails the spinnaker has no UV cover so it is usually kept below. It is stored in the forepeak when not underway, upwind passages, and in high winds.
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