S/V Ripple

6.5 knots

Spruce sweeps (7 ft) for my new (to me) 9 foot Fatty Knees dinghy

Yesterday I sailed Ripple for the first time, really. A perfect day, in the 60s, cloudless, a fresh breeze out of the north. Three sails and a tiller are a lot to handle alone, and my inexperience with the rig is painfully evident in tacking. Managed to sail her wing on wing for a bit, and late in the trip, jib struck, she still easily managed 4.5 kts, and nearly buried the rail. Topping off the day, another sailor in Lake Union asked 'say... Is she an Atkins?'

Spent a good deal of Saturday and Sunday on Lakes Union and Washington.  Too much  wind to sail on Saturday, too little on Sunday, but wonderfully pleasant both days. I made the run down to Seward Cove on Sunday, only a couple boats there, and I had a glass of wine on the hook, and enjoyed the quiet.  On the way down, a couple were rowing a skiff out with an as-yet-unfurled gaff-like rig.  We noticed one another's boats immediately, and exchanged compliments. The skiff was clearly nicely cared for...skookum.  The skipper hailed with 'that's an Atkin design, isn't it?'  It is such a pleasure to be caretaker of a boat as recognizably special as Ripple.  Each short passage deepens the patina of our connection. And who ever imagined one could fall in love with a diesel engine, besides?

Ripple has been accepted into the 34th Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival , September 10-12, 2010. Motivation to get the brightwork into shape!  She was in the festival at least once before ('07).