Esmeralde went for her
first sail on Friday, May 27--just one month after she
was delivered to Rhode Island. On board for the
event were Skip from Hall Spars, Bill Fortenberry from
North Sails, and Bruce & Dorsey. We checked out
the sails in 0-6 knots, then it died out completely.
Bill and Skip went back
ashore, and Bruce & Dorsey headed down the bay, just as
the sea breeze came in. On went the sails, and the
learning curve began... "This is not your
father's..." well, whatever. It's a lot different
from the old ESMERALDE! We had a ball, and we had
lots of spousal "discussions" about how to trim sails,
and eventually got her going. Spectacular day,
12-18 knots true. Out to R-2 at Brenton Reef, then
a spinnaker run back home.
Bill re-joined us for a
late-afternoon romp around the bay, and we got a
terrific taste of what ESMERALDE has to offer, in the
hands of someone who knew what he was doing... A
spinnaker run down to Prudence at 8+ knots, and a beat
back up the bay that really got her going. Bill
got a great opportunity to check out the the sails and
got the rig tuned up under load. We were
dizzy by the time it was over, but very, very pleased.
Above, ESMERALDE shows
her stuff on her second sail, thanks to sailing friend Antionette Stockenberg.
Abve, Skip and Bill
hold a conference at the mast.
On the right, if you
look closely, you'll see the last shot of Bruce's orange
screwdriver before it went over the side...
Below, Bruce gets a
feel for the new boat.
Below, the "photo ad"
thanks to Antionette!
 |
