Went out as a crew member on Friday night. Just me, the captain, and another rookie like myself. Sure enough, there wasn't much wind, and as soon as we made it all the way across the river, the thunderstorms moved in. It was a scary, wet ride back to the dock.
Got up Saturday morning to do yard work, but it was so windy. Hmmm... A quick call to Dad, and we were on the boat by 11:30. "I want to see both sails up today, son." Alright! We motored out of the creek, turned North-Northwest into the wind, and up went the main. We started going pretty fast, and then it was time for the 100 working jib, which rolled right out, and with a pop of wind, we started MOVING. I mean really moving!
Words cannot describe the feeling a noob gets on the first BFS. We were heeled way over, the rail was almost touching the water. I was very worried that my Dad was going to fly off the side of the boat, but he said he had it under control. I really should have let off on the main some, but we were really having fun, and making great speed. According to his ISailor app on his phone, we topped out at 6.9 knots! I did not think that was possible on this boat. I also didn't know that much fun could be had on a boat. There were dozens of boats out on the river, it was just a gorgeous day.
The picture doesn't show much perspective, but we were heeled over so far that I had to keep falling off the wind just to ease the stress of the whole thing. Next time, I will let the main out more, it was just off center on the traveler. We probably could have made similar speed with less heel that way? Yes, got to get that lower lifeline fixed, too!