first time ness sail, modifications for sea going.

Launched at creek ramp LTP. Initially the wind was light x ME. Launched like a buttered dolphin.

Easy to get underway. With mast installed &_rudder hung, we drifted & rowed off & set sail. Yesterday, while dry testing, I tied in a reef which very soon came in handy. 

  Tacking through the Passage with ebb tide & sheltered from building NEr, felt relaxing, dreamlike, the ecstacy of a new boat but also one so well mannered. It felt surfboard pure, fine & slippery through the water. Yes, I did see the Walker H28 for $12k, bit it looked big, messy & expensive to prepare for any type of sailing. Life's too short for unloved boats. 

Arriving into the channel the wind bared its teeth. But without fear of grounding or capsize (she felt initially soft, but firmed up nicely), I sailed easily about the marked channel - narrow & dead upwind. 

Out in the bay, we sailed effortlessly, slightly sprung in wind that settled in at around 12knots. The fine bows cut but mostly skimmed the 2-3 feet of windchop & we stayed mostly dry. I soon noticed an odd sensation, my feet were being sprinkled with seawater?! The rear of the centreboard housing's was leaking, allowing pulses of water to enter the hull. A quick reccy revealed that it was coming from the top plate, not the base where evil rot may lay. 

For a while we stood on towards Soldiers Point to push her a bit, but the probability of only more wind on this unknown boat, saw us turn downwind for greater comfort. 

Running off, wind broad on the quarter & she slipped along well. A light hum in the rudder reverberated to become a full on shudder as we found good speed (5-7knots?). Something_back there is out of balance! 

Landing at Taylors Beach was effortless due to: windward shore, shelter of a grove of Norfolk Pines & the Ness's sleek design. Lesson learned with the rig, just like my Mirror dinghy, don't let the halyard go unless you want a dong on the head. We glided up the sand & I unloaded picnic supplies before pushing her our to sit on anchor. 

As I dined on salad with sourdough rolls I noticed a gongoozler coming in at 9 o'clock. With whining 4 year old in tow a swimming woman approached. But she had only positives to share & enthused about Ilona being "obviously built by a craftsman", I mostly agreed but for the leaky centreboard box, vibrating rudder & too short halyard. But overwhelmingly this boat is of special design. Her pedigree apparently handed on from Vikings to the Scottish islands fishermen to Iain Oughtred. I just need to get the bugs out. 

   The heat kicked, so after ogling at Ilona for a suitable time, I hit the water before sitting in the shade of the Norfolk pines, listening to test cricket (go India!). 

I had anchored a little offshore due to ebbing tide, & admired the (my!) beautiful boat. 

After a good while the wind only freshened, Im guessing 20 knots, & I needed to chasten myself. The run back was downwind, but I tied in the third reef. Well, we pretty well just shot off from the beach. Out away from shelter the gusts made the Oregon mast flex but it stood firm & my confidence grew.  We negotiated the bend near the Tilligerry Creek entrance while sitting at hull speeds or planing on 3' wind swells. The meed to gybe made my butt pinch & the sight of a large trawler laying  careened by the nav mark added an air of drama. Taking full precaution in technique if not on my wearing a lifejacket, she found he new heading easily & without any great yawing scramble. We just regrouped rapidly & sped off towards the ramp I rounded up well off in order to drop, ah lower, the main & raise the keel. Once again she behaved really well, no flailing about, just steady, predictable motions. 

Loading to the trailer with a still crosswind was tricky. But inspired by the intelligence of this boat & the people that love them, I set the grapnel anchor abeam to hold her stern square on. It worked a treat & she loaded easily onto the trailer. 

   Overall, it was a remarkably rewarding first outing in what turned put to be unpleasant  conditions. I now have a list of repairs & tuning jobs to see to as well as a clearer vision on her future cruising set up. 

30 Dec 24:

Today I bought a portable VHF radio, flare kit, a tiller clutch, bilge pump & hose. Obviously thinking of serious sailing...

The bilge pump, hose & strimmer box were fitted under the starboard thwart this afternoon. 

   I also set to seal off the outboard well & her status as a sleek & engineless sailing craft. How embarrassing to have an engine in such a beautiful craft. I hope that after this is sealed off, some of that discordant racket patch from the aft quarters will quieten down. 

A tiller clutch has been fitted too & I look forwards to testing her out further.