October on Lake Superior: Reefed Down at 30kts

[Paul D.]

For my last sail of the season I was alone and even though it was blowing a steady 30kts out of the east, I couldn't resist a sail out to one of my favorite anchorages on Stockton Island.



Afterwards, still the wind came in strong over the tombolo through the white pines creating a bit of a swell at anchor. No matter, all was well below with a fire in the stove, hot food and even a little music through the evening.



The next day, tied up to the little dock on Stockton, there was time to get another coat on the coamings, handrails and dorade boxes.



And even time to hike over to the other side of the island to Julian Bay.



But the next weekend Femme was hauled out and we went up and covered her up stem to stern with last year's shrink wrap. Gave her a good cleaning too. Brought a few projects home for the winter, but I am obviously missing the sailing season already or I wouldn't be posting these would I.

[Jim Walsh]

All very nice photo's. I noticed you don't tie the bunt of the main when you reef. I stopped many years ago on the advice of Hal Roth. I still have the cringles added to a new main but I never install the points.
I've driven to Thunder Bay on Lake Superior a couple times on hunting trips. Those Great Lakes are truly inland seas minus the salt.

[Paul D.]

Jim,

I wondered if anyone would notice the reef points. Actually, I generally don't tie them much anymore because, in watching the sail when reefed, I don't see any problems with chafe or excessive flapping. My philosophy is generally, if I can safely eliminate a procedure in a process or a link in a chain, I'll do it. It comes from being a rock climbing instructor years ago. I guess once a climber, always a climber. And I do want to keep Femme simple for budgetary reasons but also philosophically.

In this instance I was alone and wanted to minimize my time out of the cockpit. On the Big Lake, you can often find yourself changing sails quite often! Still, I am not ready to run all my lines for the main'sl back there and add all that friction and complexity.

Curious. What reasons did Hal give you for not tying the reef points? Potential sail damage if loaded?

[Jim Walsh]

Paul,
Most are unaware that Hal competed in two singlehanded round-the-world races. In the first race he met one of the competitors, a young Frenchman. When discussing tactics the Frenchman noted that he never tied his reef points. He noted that the bunt of the sail was firmly held in place by the wind and putting a reef in and taking it out were much easier, safer, and quicker, when no points were involved. Hal was sold on the technique and never used them again.

[Paul D.]

Jim,

Thanks for that bit from Hal Roth. I would like to re visit his writings as it been years. There are several old school sailing writers I really respect and he was always one. And one has to like the Spencer 35!

[Skeep]

This is an interesting point isn't it? I noticed the same thing in that photo so am glad this topic surfaced. Essentially the sail is held at tack and clew rather securely and the reason for the ties, as I understood, is to secure the sail material. Thus, the tying-on was essentially to gather excess sail about rather than to have it loose where wind might take it and cause havoc.

Great photos thank you so very much for taking the time to snap them and provide us a glimpse of some water few of us will ever experience! Beautiful guitar, a man after my own heart, I'd have had my Ovation aboard as well!

[Paul D.]

Skeep, I said it was one of the great weekends of all time didn't I! The guitar was part of it. I can count on the fingers of one hand the times I've had time alone with my two "other loves" together in one place.

Sailing and music just sort of works doesn't it? Possibly the best modern example of that is this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AhFiePczT8

[Skeep]

Wow Paul, that was magic...! I suppose Crosby's boat did already sell. Of course one hasn't to be concerned with how much she costs but how much can one deposit into her maintenance and sustainment program....ka-ching! I'm shopping for a larger classic yacht to purchase in a few years and also have the wonderlust of that period yacht design. And, as you said, the guitar and the yacht are a perfect fit.