A TRIAL SAIL
Aquila
Alan and Sarah Bennett
Sun 27 Apr 2008 14:33
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Yesterday Cat and Dave Prentice, most ably
supported by young William and Mathew, gave me a hand in taking AQUILA out for
her first sail of the season. However, they did not get off Scott free, as
first of all Dave hauled me to the top of the mast so that I could attach
the repaired anemometer vane. Once out of the harbour we did a couple
of pirouettes to calibrate it, and lo! a working anemometer! With a gentle
Force 2 from the E we set full, and in glorious sunshine in perfect tempratures
we had a fabulous sail. Everything seemed to work
fine...............including the Duogen in water mode! Now girls, you may
not find that instantly riveting, but remember it will allow you to use the hair
dryer after its (salt water) wash!
The wind died around 1430, so we motored gently
back to Deale and finished alongside with a real cream tea - Devon clotted
cream, raspberry jam, home made scones (courtesy of Cat), all topped off
with fresh strawberries. I then spent the night armed with a double
barrelled shotgun ensuring that no maurauding Osprey walked off with the new
anemomenter vane..................
The Duogen lowered into water
mode.................
 Looking directly down on it.........
 Generating 5-6 amps with 8kts across the deck and
5kts boat speed................
 In a word...............IT WORKS! Sea trials
complete.
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