Update from the sea 9, Back at home!

This morning we got up and went ashore for bathroom and coffee stops.  Then back to the boat to get ready.

George wants to try and sail with the spinnaker which we’ve never used before.  So we rigged up the pole and lines and checked the sail.  Then, after motoring out into the cove a bit we set about raising the sail.  The red, white, and blue sail went up pretty easily and we were on our way moving 4 to 5 knots in a really light breeze.

After a couple of hours we lost most of the wind so we doused the spinnaker, fired up the old diesel, and engaged the autopilot

We ate lunch while sailing–bratwurst with all the trimmings.  Nessa is a boating champ

Once we were in sight of Everett a tail wind came up and we decided to try the spinnaker again.  This time the wind was stronger so working with the lines was more difficult.  We were making a good 6 to 7 knots this time, faster than the motor pushes us.

When we doused the sail this time though we forgot a step and the wind was hot so we had trouble controlling it, then we got to a point where we lost control and had to let the sheet (the sail control line) go- “one sheet to the wind”…  We finally got control of the huge sail and brought it in, but not before the sheet detached from the sail and was lost.

After that we came right in to Everett, docked and quickly packed.   Finally home!!   Lots of fun and pictures.

A great 9 days!!!