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(Updated 10 June 2009)

Trilars -Sailing Log

(Project page)

(Photo by Cullen Raidna)

• Date/Time  :  25 May 2009 - 13:00 - 20:00 :
  Crew          : Cullen Raidna
  Description :  Maiden voyage / Day Sail
  Location     :  Wake Forest NC, Resovior
  
  Summary   :
       Cullen and I took "Freedom" out for the maiden voyage and shakedown cruise.  We arrive at the resovior around 13:00 with the boat atop the Pacifica.   We unloaded the boat and began assembly.  It would have taken about 30 minutes to assemble but we had many onlookers with lots of questions.   Cullen was a great crew and was quick with the tools and asssitance in getting all together.  In addition to the boat we had PFD's, paddles, boat cushions, swiss army knife, rags for bailing, GPS, and waterbottles. 

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• Date/Time  :  13 June 2009 - 14:00 - 21:00 :
  Crew          : None
  Description :  Day Sail
  Location     :  Wake Forest NC, Resovior
  
  Summary   :  The resovior is about 10 mins from my house.  Good thing today as I left the boom in the garage.  Light but steady winds.  I had a good day out on the resovior, pretty much all to myself.    3-4 MPH on the GPS.   The only ongoing challenge seems to be the leeboard doesn't wan't to stay down, this is going to take some thought to address.  This small body of water is a great place to test things out but I'm ready to take Trilars to the next level.

• Date/Time  :  14 June 2009 - 11:00 - 17:00 :
  Crew          :  None
  Description :  Day Sail
  Location     :  Crabtree Lake, Raleigh NC
  
  Summary   :    First time our on Lake Crabtree and it was nice to have a larger (though still small) to sail on. The winds were a steady 10+ mph and I was out racing the Sunfish sailboats that are rented at the consession.  They didn't know there were racing.  Also a family as relaunching a skiff that had been their grandfathers years ago that they had restored. I love the herons that nest at the lake, they are so big and are fun to watch fly.  They guys in the yellow dinghy below left sailed over to me with keen interest in my trimaran.  I sailed up and down the lake and worked on sailing to predetermined points, both up and down wind. I am still having challenges with the lee board staying down, I may need to invest in a fancy pressure release cleat, or see what I can do with a bit of bungee cord.  With the fresher breeze I needed to tighten the snotter to keep it closer to the mast, and it was some work trimming the sail with no mechanical advantage with the mainsheet connected directly to the boom.  I will need to try to add a block to the aft brace and run the sheet through to make it easier to trim.
  I spent about 5 hours out, had my usual PBJ sandwich and lots of water.  She really is a fun boat to sail, I just need to find a way to reduce set up and take apart time.

• Date/Time  :  6 July 2009 - 13:00 - 18:00
  Crew          :  None
  Description :  Day Sail
  Location     :  Wake Forest NC, Resovior
  
  Summary   :  I can't believe it's been two months since I last sailed, where has the summer gone.  I loaded up Trilars for an afternoon daysail. I was having some trouble getting the left float on when I noticed it was the right one,   duh!!  I need to clearly paint on them L and R.  The wind was fresh today, good consist breeze from the north.  From the north means in your face at the launch.  As usual the Trilars draws some attention from passers by and I now take folks up on offers to help assemble, lift and launch.  After several strokes of the paddle I made my way out far enough to turn 90 degees east, catch the wind and off I go.   Making 3-4 MPH easy I tack all the way up the lake, she points pretty well.