What could be more ripe for peril? A shakedown cruise with first time aboard HP family on April Fool's Day? Despite all of the invitations for something to go wrong, it didn't.
The wind was blowing 8-17, puffy & gusty, nothing solid but enough to motorsail efficiently, 2' following seas. Heather's brother Scott took a hand at the helm, "This isn't as easy as it looks." he said.
We got out the jib & mailsail. We're so pleased with the Campbell-Sailer prop, we've got a good increase in speed, 5.5kt @ 1600-1700rpm against current & wind. We're a 14 ton tank, for us, that's a sweet speed. Ran the engine for about 2 hours total and everything is good to go. I think I can safely say we're ready to hit the road, Jack. Everything checks out. Everything is in place.
It was good to visit with family. It was good to have an A+ successful shakedown. It is good that it is 80 degrees and 10mph from the south. It is good that everything is go. So we're going into visit with some friends at the marina and then watch this amazing day come to an end with dinner in the cockpit. T minus 7 days and counting. | 