Spring shakedown for Sùlaire…

 

Saturday 8th April 2023…Lou, Fran, Cal and I took Sùlaire out for her Spring shakedown. With clear skies and light, but gusty, winds of up to 18kts we headed out into the Firth of Clyde past people busying about getting their boats ready for the season. After heading SW we swung a right and headed up the East Kyle towards the Burnt Isles which we then circled and headed back whence we came.

Lots of diving gannets and a couple of harbour porpoises were spotted. A few other yachts and motorboats were out and about and we made good progress when the SE wind was favourable under mainsail and Genoa achieving speeds of up to c.6.5kts.

Only issue arising was jamming of mainsail in furler when hauling it out. Hardening down on the vang, and keeping tension on furler helped but only after teasing it in and out several times. Need to check halyard tension, ensuring it is furled the correct way around and finessing procedure once moored up.