Spinnaker Flying

What a great fall day on the lake! If you are from the Northeast you know how much rain we have been getting this year. So far I believe it's the third wettest year on record and we still have three months to go. However, this weekend was beautiful. Ruth and I did some chores on Saturday and then enjoyed a nice bike ride up the Schuylkill River Trail. Sunday was taking Ruth's mom to church and then out for a sail.

Sunday could only have been better if there had been a little more wind. The temperature was great, the lake wasn't crowded and blue sky as far as you could see. We decided it would be a great time to try out our spinnaker. Our setup is not great, our whisker pole does not have a topping lift and our spinnaker halyard is below the front stay. Not to matter, it was time to let it fly!

 We managed to get the spinnaker in front of the front stay. Ideally the halyard should be above this on a fractional sloop but we made it work. We ran the sheets outside the boat to our stern cleats.

Such a pretty sail. The wind was a little light but it managed to fill the sail and move us along. By adjusting the sheets on each side we were able to keep things balanced pretty well.

There were some kayaks and paddle boards also out enjoying the day. Ruth took up one of her favorite positions on the lake.

Bringing in the fenders

Ruth sporting her new shirt from Montana

Taking a nap

Kayaks along the lake

We are hoping to get out at least one more time before we have to pull the boat at the end of October. A fall color trip would make for some nice pictures.