Well, interesting day today, about 4th or 5th time out on the lake and by far the windiest, but really variable, from 0 to 15 knots and back down again in an instant. Practice tacking from the wire, difficult because of the variable wind and lots of work to do - mainly to get trimmed and up to speed quicker on the end of the tack.
1st capsize, coming down wind with the kite up, rounded a headland and had a 30 degree header, so now on a true wind tight reach, tried to turn away but I had no room and didn't want to dump the main as the spin was still pulling. So turned up to see if I could hold it - no way, over I went. Managed to keep dry though, just slid down the underside of the tramp and grabbed the righting line. I was quite close to a jetty and being blown down so I needed to get this down quickly. Uncleated the spin halyard and heaved away. Boat came up quick but I had forgotten to release the main, so it started sailing on it's side! Luckily away from the jetty so worked out quite well. Dropped it back in the water and with the main released came up easy. Unfortunately I got wet as it came up.
Still lots to do, control from the trapeze is poor and my harness isn't helping, time to invest in a new one. Need to get better at judging angles too, need to learn that I can't really reach with the spin 1 up. Seemed to have a lot of weather helm on too so need to look at my rake and maybe stand the mast up a bit straighter.
Also made some sheeting and line improvements after a good read of catsailor forums. Getting there but need a lot more time on the water, Round Texel coming up hopefully, that will be a big challenge to complete solo, especially if the wind is up. Then the East Coast Piers Race in Essex, again about 50 miles in open water. If all that goes well, then the Euro champs at Lake Como in July. Though I'm not sure I'm going to be ready for it.
No pictures yet!
