for the first time. What an experience
Almost everything went according to plan with the launch......EXCEPT, I tore down the marina security camera cable with the mast...DOH!!!
I check the air draft, and noted the position of the electrical wires near by, and we would easily clear that. I did not see the thin black wire 20 feet lower, until it was tangled across the boat and tow beast. I nearly had a coronary, as I thought it was electrical.
Live and learn on that one. I reported it to the owner, and will make it right with him.
The boat handled mostly well, and figuring out the quirks and adjusting my thinking took some time. She topped out at 15-16 kts/17-18 mph, with no ballast, myself and two kids, with 2 days of provisions. The prop is old and knicked up pretty good, and a new one will be ordered soon. I did not raise the sails, as their were too many boats, and I wanted to keep the family happy and not scare the heck out of them on the first time.
The heat flat out sapped us. It was 106 during the day, and 82 that night. We drank 3 gallons of water, and 12 quarts of gator-aid on Saturday alone. The Admiral joined us and we spent the rest of the day swimming.
We anchored out for the fireworks show that evening, and were treated to two shows on different islands. Motoring back at night with that amout of traffic was nerve racking at first, but everybody behaved and it went very smooth.
We spent the night at the marina dock (youngest son and I), and I slept on deck.
The SC DNR waived us down, and asked us why/how a sailboat was on plane. I dont think they had seen a Mac before
They were curious and very polite. Sunday morn the admiral brought us breakfast, and we motored/swam until mid morn, then packed her up and headed home.
Learned lots of do's and dont's, and what works and not.
Rich
