Michele

First sail on Toucan after having the compression post replaced (with a 316 stainless steel one so it doesn’t rust in future). We didn’t want to push her hard and conditions started well just a light breeze. Got the main up and Genoa out and headed up to Stangate (started sail ties late!!). Met Meandra coming back from the West Mersey Cruise which we missed as Toucan was not ready in time. Turned and came back. There were lots of yachts and dinghies on the Medway, undoubtedly due to the great weather. Started to get choppy, wind over tide and we decided to get back to the marina. We had a problem with the Genoa. We didn’t have enough turns on the furling roller so ended up with some Genoa sticking out which was not good in the conditions and going into the lock. Kev tied her up and we entered the lock. Not sure what happened but Kev knocked the throttle and she was shooting forward. Luckily Michelle and another person helped us. I threw a line to Michelle and managed to keep my boat hook on the wire (Kev lost his in the lock but we managed to retrieve it). Got back into our finger berth with no problems!!! Then we had some lovely ham,cheese and salad rolls and a well deserved beer to settle the nerves. All in all a good first test but we need to master the lock.