Weekend review

Even with family coming to see the boat this morning it seemed a shame not to get anything done. It would only take a few minutes to add an additional flag halyard under the starboard top spreader, an easy, not dirty, job. (Kintala has one on the port side but I heard somewhere that “Q” and courtesy flags should be flown starboard. Don’t know if it’s true, but mast-on-the-rack is the time to make sure one is not being a lout for a guest.) That done and no sign of visitors, a slightly dirty job was next; that of putting the final coat of paint on the rudder “shoe” repair. Of course family arrived just about the time my right arm was thoroughly specked in black hydro coat. It’s always best to be working with water based paint when a quick cleanup is desired.

It has been several years since young Campbell went with us to the Annapolis Boat show and charmed the crowds by testing out various V-berths. She is now a charming young lady but, after a short test, declared the V-berth in Kintala to be just fine. Her parents and grand-parents (Deb’s brother and his wife) were pretty excited about the boat as well. The plan was for them to see Kintala floating with mast up and sails bent on … but things don’t always work out as planned. It was a fun visit anyway and everyone got up and down the ladder without drama.

Visit over,  John invited Deb and me to go sailing with him on Ellida. She hadn’t flown a sail since entering the Erie Canal several weeks ago. This was my fourth trip out to the bay, Deb’s second, and John’s first; making me the most experienced “bay sailor” on board. In spite of that handicap the only difficulty encountered was a complete lack of wind. Sails slatted on the various powerboat wakes, knocking the stale air out of them. But actual sailing will have to wait for a better day. We did see some pretty nice boats; including one schooner flying a full set of square rigged canvas. Not something one ever sees on Lake Carlyle.

Back in the marina work called once again. Some time with the sander, another trip or two into “the hole” to run control lines, a few minutes figuring out which way was “front” on the wind vane blade, and our Cape Horn installation was finally, completely, utterly completed. With the vane standing tall at the stern, a dinghy motor hanging on the rail, and jerry cans lashed to her life lines, Kintala gives every appearance of being a true “cruiser’s sailing boat”. The illusion fades as soon as one notes there is sand and stands under her keel, not water; and she has no mast; rigging, or sails.

She does have a good looking wind vane though. We will see what tomorrow has to offer.