Maiden voyage

Last two days with winds of Bft 4+  were not suited for the maiden voyage.  

This morning there was almost no wind at all.  Time to put the Pakesizzer in the water for the first time.

As it was the Maiden Voyage it was appropriate that my wife had the honor of a first row.

The rowing was very light and quick responding.

After that we set the sail but due to the very light wind we could not really test the sailing capabilities. 


It was not possible to use the side benches.  Assumingly the Peapod needs more wind for stable sailing.

Due to bad planning there are no sailing pictures. Yours truly ran out of battery power for the camera  :-(

Later in the day the builder took to the oars for the heavy load test.  He survived.

Rigging

We went up north for a couple of days.  So time to start rigging the Pakesizzer.

The weather was sunny so the boat was moved outside.

First thing to do was stepping the mast.

The mast fitted OK and the cleats that I had made back home out of oak could be fitted on the mast for the halyard and on the frontdeck for the downhaul.

Next step was to seize and lace the sail to the boom and yard.  My wife was very helpful in tying the various knots. 



I am not a good knot maker. Thick fingers and lack of coordination I presume.

After a bit of experimenting with the exact location of the halyard on the yard the sail could be set. 

The present downhaul is not thick enough so in the near future a larger diameter line will be used.

The planned maiden sail was cancelled due to the wind of 7 m/s (14 knots).  Sailable weather but not for a shakedown sail.

Forecast for tomorrow is not much better but wait and see.  It is anyhow nice to look at the boat you have built. Pretty as a picture....