Tales from aFarr

I've put a proper shackle on it now, not the cheap sh*t Miracle/Streaker crap the builders obviously are used to using.

Talk about user error...

Just to keep this up to speed some recent adventures well misadventures would be more appropriate in what is turning out to be the most unlucky boat I think I've ever bought.

So thursday night cracking start Port end on starboard out to sea into the tide and a tad more wind, got on the wire in about 8 -10 knots beaten to the 1st mark only by a Contender which I'd expect really but hoped to wind in down the long reach out to sea. - No chance.. wind dropped and another slow but certain overhaul by the two lead lasers. Then up one of the other marginal wiring beats the bloody slack mainsheet doubled then tripled itself into the block forcing me to stop and unthread it all - nightmare.

Sunday dawns properly windy, screwed up the first beat but started winding boats back in on a really broad fast but not fully wiring reach, the second reach would be tighter and fully wiring with waves to surf down the joy would be boundless.. Boundless right up until the point where the mast just fell down - joy indeed. Some dodgy shackle must have given way come undone - whatever - best race of the year I'm rescued..

It took me half the race and being right at the back DFL behind even the worse sailors we've got, then on a reach I finally manned up and almost by accident wired and was sort of surfboard style then I stepped up on the rail and it started to head up like it would on a board and I thought 'it's footsteering, which it was, banged the other foot in the position I'd have it on a windsurfer on a reach Which was on the back strap and there I was stood up, playing it with my feet exactly like you would a board and did it take off..

So the next beat I got out on the rail upwind and began to wind them back in, it was too late to get right to the front but I had the most enjoyable race I think I've ever had in a dinghy. I keep playing it over and over in my head and can't wait to get out again.. Pity I've got to go away for a week to a wedding.. this is going to be a great summer (wind permitting).