Adapting

My old car finally reached the end of the road this week.  This has been coming for a good while, and I was sad to see it move on, but all things wear out alas.  

 

It was a great car, and many happy miles and memories go with it. With it gone, I need to change my sailing ways a bit.  I can still negotiate to use the white car, but also I can make use of the little beach and ramp round the corner.  

I have launched the Skerry there a couple of times in the last few weeks.   With all the sailing paraphernalia loaded up it is a fair old workout, especially getting back up the ramp.  Great to be able to do it though. We had a grand sail with Andrew in his Laser.

I think I need a better trolley if I am going to launch to sail.  Last launch and retrieval I had to come home and have a nap afterwards, I was seriously tired.  The fat tyres and rusting axle of my folding trolley impart a fair bit of friction.  I am giving some serious thought to a trolley using bicycle wheels, with ball bearing axles and thinner tyres, a bit like the one I use for my kayak and the pirogue.

 Rowing is much simpler and lighter and quicker all round and I think I will stick to that with the Skerry from now on until a better trolley presents itself.  But it is lovely to sail the Skerry again.  Even Oz thought it was not too bad.

For simple quick light sailing, the 12 foot Bolger Peero that I built when the kids were little makes a nice option.   I gave it some much needed maintenance, and have been fiddling with the rigging. I can have it on the water in 15 minutes without a lot of effort, and it is great fun to sail.

Fun, but also quite tippy.  It doesn't have a lot of hull form stability, and sailing requires concentration.  I am building some Storer Mini Outriggers as insurance against an unplanned swim.

It is nice to have a boat building project again, albeit a small one. I find it immensely satisfying.