GET OFF THE BOAT!

So the weather hasn't exactly been great the past couple weeks with temps over 100 degrees (up to 109) and lack of winds. Well today at 5:30 I woke up to the sound of the halyards clanking in a 10kt breeze. I rolled over, told Jess good morning and then promptly told her to get her stuff for work and get off the boat!. Peyton woke up to the sound of the engine starting as we pushed off from the dock, we waived goodbye to Jess and off we went, just the kids and I. 

We went out and raised the main sail with Colby at the helm, the kids had pulled up the fenders/bumpers, secured the safety lines and stored the dock lines. The weather window was about 2 hours before another front had a chance of moving in and we wanted to make the best of it. After raising the main and getting started we forced Peyton to get up, come topside and then take the helm. Peyton spent the next hour at the helm with very little intervention from me. While sailing we had some cinnamon buns, drinks and just enjoyed a windy day. 

Now Peyton still has some fear of heeling over so we kept it just main sail only without deploying the jib. It kept the boat pretty much upright with very little lean, while slow it was a great way to help her build confidence in her ability. At one point I was inside the cabin up in the vberth while Peyton steered Windsong through a 10kt breeze. At another point I was up at the bow pulpit (very front of the boat) up in the what I refer to as the Titanic scene part of the boat, while I looked back at her. 

Coming in we had a little bit of a incident where the main sail got stuck up as we sailed into the marina, but we managed to recover and it turned out ok, however we did have to start the engine to finish docking. Our main halyard had a bad spot in it where the sheath was worn but the core was fine, well this time the sheath got caught up on the mast and wouldn't let the main fall. So today we will run into WestMarine and pick up a new halyard for replacement, about a 150.00 fix. (OUCH) 

Overall great day with the kids so far and it's only a little after 9am. Coffee on the porch with them and their little cream and sugar doctored cups, then washing dishes and getting the boat all bundled up and ready for the rain that is headed our way. 

So remember, unless your sailing, if there is wind and I haven't been out in a while "GET OFF THE BOAT!" lol.