Spent Saturday doing the annual exterior cleanup and getting her looking good for the albeit late season launch. Sunday morning came and we headed to the local gas station for a fill'er up, hung up the gas handle and was just about to take off and thought, did I raise the motor back up? This is routine for me to drop the OB when climbing up to the cockpit when the M is on the trailer. Generally I immediately raise the OB as soon as I secure the swim ladder. Back to the basics. Disaster 1 avoided.
We got to the boat ramp and the rigging went exceptionally smooth. Remembered to raise the OB and was about to climb in to head for the ramp and just for fun decided to step back about 30 feet and just see the forest for the trees. Good thing. Something was hanging down from the bottom of the boat. "Gee, the daggerboard should not be hanging down 8 inches," I thought. During the wash or rigging the DB line got released from the lock and since it just dropped down on the safety cable it got overlooked. Back to the basics. Disaster 2 avoided.
Launch went well, and the Admiral headed off to park the trailer and I did my normal cruise around, fill the ballast etc..... after the long winter I was sure in a hurry to open her up and let the DF70 stretch her legs. Got the ballast filled and opened her up. I made a sharp turn under full throttle and thought "Boy she is heeling like a son-of-a-gun." Reduced the turn angle and ran around at speed for a little bit and headed back to the ramp to pick up the Admiral. As I was backing back away from the dock at the launch it dawned on me. RUDDERS. Fortunately they survived but they sure make her corner like it is on rails. Back to the basics. Disaster 3 avoided.
I was humbled and it reinforced for me the lesson often learned in my past. You never have too much experience in what you do to not review "Basics"
We will sail this weekend, wind permitting, so I plan to stop and think a little more.
Jeff Z
