Sailing. . .

:) Took Vaea out for a sail a few days ago: the new sails are fantastic! We (me and a friend from the marina) were met by a wall of fog that would hide and unhide the breakwater at L. A. harbor, so we had to sail within the large area at the end of the main channel. But there was a good 10 knots of SW breeze, despite the fog, coming off the Palos Verdes peninsula, so we had a close and a broad reach to work with. I left the main sheet traveler centered, and with my friend at the tiller keeping the apparent wind as close to the 55 degree arm on the windex as he could, we were making 9-10 knots, with the occasional 12 knots. This was the first sail on a tiki 26 for my friend and it brought a smile to his face. 8-) He has sailed monohulls under 32 feet and thus the smile. . .Unfortunately, I was too caught up in watching the new synthetic standing rigging, and handling the sheets to haul out the camera. After the sail, I did have to tighten up the rigging due to not pre-stretching the forestay with the car: the new main was pulling hard and tightened up (thus lengthening) the 12-strand braid well! I did pre-stretch the shrouds and bridle using the car previous to raising the mast. The Southern California Bight has been uncommonly cool and foggy this last month; usually we are contending with the hot Santa Ana winds this time of year. . . Other days are coming, of course! Hopefully with pictures!