SailNet Jong, but not a sailing Jong....

SoulVoyage · #1 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010

Mornin'. I can't believe I haven't signed up to sailnet until NOW!!

I've owned my Allied Seawind ketch for a little over ten years now. She's a 1963.

A well-found boat, to be sure...but this 2010 year has been the year of accessory break-down...first the marine refrigeration unit goes on the blink, apparently for good. Next the Simpson-Lawrence 520 windlass goes beserk and now won't speak to me. And now the AC charger has apparently filed a civil suit to get off the boat in the very next trash bin.

Me thinks I'm going to be making quick use of your tech help forums.

But the sun is up, the wind is up and I'm up...so a swig o' coffee and off I go to the wild blue. At least sails don't break down...'least they're easy to fix if they do.

Now I just hope the wind doesn't break.

deniseO30 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010

Welcome aboard !

WanderingStar · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010

Welcome. I understand. I went aboard Thursday to replace the water filter, maybe service the pump. I did the filter, took a nap, and dropped the mooring. I also sail a ketch, though she's temporarily a sloop.

SoulVoyage · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010

Thank you, DeniseO30 and WanderingStar!

Yeah, I LOVE ketches. They are so handy under sail. I mostly enter and often leave the slip under sail (depending on wind dir), and find no better way to do that then with a ketch rig. Leaving the slip, I either raise the mizzen or raise the working jib depending which direction I want to back out.

Coming about is an absolute breeze under jib and jigger, either Jibe or tack...doesn't matter. Heaving-to is equally a joy under jib & jigger. To come from or go back to the dock I have to sail in a very tight little harbor...I don't think I could sail in such tight quarters without making use of the way you could spin a boat in her own length by consectutively raising and lowering the jib and mizzen in conjunction as she spins around.

With that said, though...I think ANY sail format that allows you to get out and enjoy the water and the wind without smelling lungfuls of diesel fumes is a pure joy and a blessing!!!

CalebD · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010

I have sailed on an Allied Seawind ketch and was also impressed by the flexibility that the mizzen affords the boat. Boats of that era (mine is from 1967) offer you many opportunities to replace and upgrade gear and rigging that is over 40 years old. Fortunately for me I have no windlass to replace on my Tartan 27', just chain plates, standing rigging...