Leg 62

Last night we went out for what we thought was to be a relaxed sailing trip. As we departed we commented that at least we were on the water - an indication that the winds were low. As we got to Spectacle Island the winds came up as a frontal system passed through. We circled around Spectacle Island and as we were heading back in to Boston we had winds gusting to 30 knots. We went through the normal sequence of reefing the main, then lowering the traveller, then we had to reef the headsail too. When we have done this before it has been very difficult to sail close to the wind because of the poor sail shape that results. However, with the genoa car that we installed earlier in the season we were able to trim the sail much better than previously. Although the sail shape wasn't ideal we could at least tension appropriately for the full sail. Previously to do this we would have had to walk out on to a deck on the low side and move the block by hand while holding on to stay on the boat. We all commented that the genoa car makes control so good from the cockpit. During the sail Lande commented that she thought this was a 30/30 - 30 knots of wind with a 30 degree heal. Certainly it was a rail dipper at times.