Sheetless

 A hot, northwind gusty morning, not ideal for a sail but the only free slot. The forecast not too bad. I met Andrew down at AYC, and we rigged up with flapping sails and a bit out of practice. I put in the reef.  Andrew trying out a new sail, and forgot battens. We sorted that a launched. Oz I think quite enjoys sailing as long as he doesn't get cold and wet. I didn't set the lazy jacks up so well, maybe I neeed a clip on the boom for the front line.

It was gusting and we were scooting along, when I noticed Andrew was having some issues. He had lost his mainsheet and was drifting off towards Portarlington. The sail was out at about 40 degrees to his boat, well out of reach.

I sailed past him, tacked round and came whizzing past his leeward side on a broad reach. He is drifting down wind at a knot or two, I pass him up wind probably going 4 or 5. I did manage to grab the sheet, but of course with the momentum I couldn't hold it. Luckily it was enough for Andrew to grab it and get sorted.  

I helped him pull his boat out, and after he packed up, went for another sail, over to the gas pipe light at Kororoit Creek mouth. I was hitting 6 knots most of the way back. Wind at Laverton gusts to 23 knots. An eventful day. Heat really doesn't help set up.