Alex MacCaull

Less eventful than yesterday. One of the Dutchman guiding lines has snapped, but I’m not sure the system is all that useful anyway. May repair it, or just remove it and flake the sail normally. Replaced some worn plastic end stops on the traveller. Still working on the jabsco toilet pump. It leaks water at the joints. So far the base valve and joker valve have been replaced and the problem is still there. New top valve is next, then the whole pump if that doesn’t work.

First true test of solo sailing with both sails up and engine turned off. Was able to raise the main to full with no trouble. Saw a loose buoy and made a few attempts to recover it, then continued with the plan to raise both sails by unfurling the Genoa. This was also not difficult and soon the motor was turned off. Did a false jibe early due to a loose cleat on the traveller, but got it under control and did some wing on wing before returning to broad reach. A laker approached me from astern and I thought it was going to the seaway, but he warned me to get out of the way and I understood he was going to the old port instead. This flustered me a bit and I furled the Genoa (which had come loose) and turned the engine back on to get out of the way. After that, I came close to some sailing school boats out doing sailing lessons, and I figured I had enough for one day. Got up river on engine enough to turn around into the wind, drop the main, and head for port under power.

Chose a point of sail with the wind coming from behind (broad reach) and unfurled the Genoa. Misjudged and unfurled the Genoa on the wrong side. While trying to tack and fix the issue, the sheet came off the clew of the Genoa. I thought it was broken, it but just needed to be reattached. With that done, it was possible to tack a bit using the autopilot (seven clicks on the +/-10 button), and generally enjoy the sail a bit. A large yacht came out of the seaway. Saw a few people on board Exuma, moored to a ball near the club. Then pointed Sea Ya back into home, got the fenders out, and docked safely after a few tries.