BLUEMOMENT

Marisca was launched last Monday after wintering in the luxury of the JWD sugar shed. It took till Thursday to set up rigging and refill the boat with the "essential" rubbish that I carry around. Then the 1st sail - gentle downwind to Baron's Point then up to Loch Goil and anchor drop in Swine's Hole for lunch. Sky was blue with no clouds but still a bit of chill in the wind. Return trip was less "fun" - a bit puffy back down Loch Long then a reef and a roll for the bit back up river which turned into 2 reefs and more rolls as the wind rose, peaking around 35kts. By Whiteforeland Point the sea which should have been flattening with the ebb tide was in full washing machine mode and either more sail was needed or the donk. Donk it was and we were back in JWD a bit damper than when we started - still blue sky with not a cloud.
My memory of last year's forecasts was a big gap between the mean and the "gusts" with the actual "gusts" lasting several hours. On the basis of one sail this year could be the same.

That's nice to read, out on the water again. I finished fitting new genoa, staysail foot blocks this weekend, so hoping to catch the last of the sun on Friday for my first sail of 2025. I'll perhaps see you at Craobh if you are participating in WHW this year. Safe sailing.