15th July

Been a bit busy with stuff and neglected updating the blog.  Camera been in hiding but things have been happening.  Mast got put up with the help of Graeme just before his departure to Captain a Mega Monster Motor Yacht - 86m I think.  Had big party for his farewell on Saturday to wish him well.

Nuts ventured out on Sunday afternoon  for her maiden sail.  Wind was light to start -6 to 8kts - and it went like a rocket.  I have a hand held wind speed meter and was doing 4kts in 8kts apparent wind speed on close reach. Smooth like silk and super well balanced.

My home brew wind vane on a trimtab worked very well from a reach to upwind but lacked power going down wind.  Vane too small I think - but that is what all the tests are about.  Also adding a bit more feedback for next test.  I have now made 3 different pushrod systems to achieve different feedback levels.

Wind picked up to 14kts later in the afternoon and I tested my single line reefing system.   It took maybe 10 seconds to put a reef in and worked much better than expected.  Nuts didnt slow down and just sailed a bit more upright .

Decided that the best place to sleep will be the floor.  Being a small boat it is very sensitive to where I put my weight but was surprised at how little spray on deck and how quick to accelerate.  Being a hard chine boat though there were some very loud bangs when in choppy waters and the waves slapped the hull.  Just a big dinghy! - and slightly more comfortable than an Optimist.

Next mission is to do a 400nm sail to qualify for the Setka Atlantic Challenge.  

Nuts loaded up with 3 weeks food and water and planning to leave on Thursday some time.  Im very confident in Nuts - just got to see if I can handle it.  I was pretty knackered after just one afternoon sail but I think that most of that was the built up stress and worry of getting it all going.  I cant wait to get offshore and chill.

Going live on Garmin tracker on Thursday so if you are interested in following the voyage the link to follow is - http://share.garmin.com/MJEXV

Cheers