hard work pays big dividends

" The helmsman can’t do anything with a motionless ship, because the rudder only works if the ship is under way. "

Recent days have dragged on a bit as I go over Ilona with acfine-toothed comb. Reefing, main halyard & outhaul systems have all been tuned in or replaced. Respect to her Builder, but he wasn't a sailor! Some of those knots are plain weird.

Anyway, the forward bump strip & lower rudder fitting were breaking away & needed reseating in a bed of epoxy. And the trailer rollers had to be wrapped in carpet to prevent chaff on the paintwork.

Today, it was time for sailing & arriving at a really high tide was a bonus. I disconnected the trailer & let it tip up for easier launching.

As happens, we were underway for all of a minute before the breeze picked up & I needed to reef. I can't say my first effort with the new system was quick, but it was easy & the sail set better that it has before.

We made good way with the ebb, about three miles out on a tight beam reach before we, my son's dog Cuddy & I, reached Fame cove. A cruising yacht was leaving as we arrived, rolling downwind against the ebb. We had the calm cove to ourselves & apart from the oysters underfoot, the rice & tuna lunch, with coffee & solitude was priceless.

Amazingly the return run was even better, a rollicking run. This time Cuddy found it hard to lay, & I'm certain he looked a bit green. In the Passage weaving between unused craft at their moorings, we levelled out & relaxed.

All those frustrating hours of tunninhbin work, paid me back threefold. To have a beautiful looking craft like the Oughtred Ness boat going full tilt off the wind is something to behold. There's no way we were under hull speed, & she tracked like an arrow.

picking up at a really low tide.