A TRIAL SAIL

Aquila
Alan and Sarah Bennett
Sun 27 Apr 2008 14:33
Yesterday Cat and Dave Prentice, most ably supported by young William and Mathew, gave me a hand in taking AQUILA out for her first sail of the season.  However, they did not get off Scott free, as first of all Dave hauled me to the top of the mast so that I could attach the repaired anemometer vane.  Once out of the harbour we did a couple of pirouettes to calibrate it, and lo! a working anemometer!  With a gentle Force 2 from the E we set full, and in glorious sunshine in perfect tempratures we had a fabulous sail.  Everything seemed to work fine...............including the Duogen in water mode!  Now girls, you may not find that instantly riveting, but remember it will allow you to use the hair dryer after its (salt water) wash!
The wind died around 1430, so we motored gently back to Deale and finished alongside with a real cream tea - Devon clotted cream, raspberry jam, home made scones (courtesy of Cat), all topped off with fresh strawberries.  I then spent the night armed with a double barrelled shotgun ensuring that no maurauding Osprey walked off with the new anemomenter vane.................. 
 
 
The Duogen lowered into water mode.................
 
 
Looking directly down on it.........
 
Generating 5-6 amps with 8kts across the deck and 5kts boat speed................
 
In a word...............IT WORKS!  Sea trials complete.