hi all, just back from a few days training. It was again a drama
getting the boat out the water in Arbroath mostly due to the fact
that I had not raised the keel far enough, it was still sitting a few
inches out but it was impossible to see it from our vantage point.
I ended up re doing thwe whole system while in port Edgar as the old
one had been repaired badly and there were too many needless shackles
which shortenend the lift capability of the winch.

One issue has come up and its that there is not a fitting low down on
the bow to enable a horizontal "pull" to drag her onto the trailer,
it means the winch has to be attached high up the the plate t6hat
holds the fore stay. This gives an upward pull rather than a
horizontal one, it was almost impossible to pull her all the way up
to the snubb.

Has aynone fitted a D ring lower down to allow a better "pull" to be
had? If so I would be very interested in hearing how it was down.

As to the sailing its self, it was really great. I was a novice
sailer and had never even been on a boat that was heeling, so I was
in for a big shock. She heeled over beautifully and my instructor was
shocked at how quick she went. never once did she thresten to
capsize, she just turned into the wind when it got too much or we let
out the main sail. due to the blustery conditions we reefed the main
all the time and she behaved very well indeed. I really enjoyed the
sailing espesially with a good instructor on board which instills
confidence.
I slept onboard when I was there to save money and the accomodation
was just fine, sausages were fried on a wee gas cooker thingy that
sat on the washboard which had been laid down across the cockpit to
create more worktop space. Sausages frying at sunrise...... heaven.

Regards Alan