Peaks and Troughs...

So, the corner has been turned, last weekend I handed over the cash and now the Clay's own Miracle 3657!

Yep I told you I was going to do it, and I freakin' have...yeehaa, best tack of the sailing year...

So me and the family went to Draycote, paid the man, and went to look at our new "baby".. so it's a composite Miracle, 17 years old, could enough nick for its age, one suit of very knackerd sails and a new set (Suggits...good or bad I don't know yet)... the set-up is fairly good, but I'll probably spend some of the winter "lay-off" tidying things up and Soulsailor-ing the boat to our satisfaction!

So last Sunday was a grey, breezy day, we rigged to see what it all looked like and I let my excitement get the better of me, it was late in the day but we had an hour of sailing-time free so me and the kids excitedly got sorted and I took them out one at a time... old rags on, got out, gusty, waves splashing (and cold) eldest was first.. got a few waves splashed over him, got cold... sails weren't setting well (when we were de-rigging I realised that 2 battens were bloody missing... GGrrrr) we were planing well, but the cold and gusts were scaring him a bit because he wasn't used to the rocking and rolling and cold of the new boat... scared the crap out of him, upset him, really sorry son... so we went back in... Picked up youngest son, he still wanted to play in the new boat, out we went more splashes, more cold, less scared but still not happy, 10 mins of yachting, out and back in...game over....

So the kids loved the boat, but not the sailing which was a shame...hope I haven't messed their heads up....

So one week later, had to move the boat on Saturday to a new spot (and payed the damn boat fees), found a great spot, actually a half spot but perfect (stern down and out of the wind etc). So after that went and saw some great fireworks...

Sunday came, did the usual Sunday morning rituals had lunch then off to the club, no sign of any breeze, got there, rigged in anticipation, the breeze filled in, it was warm, hardly anyone sailed because there was no wind in the morning, got changed put the new sails up (nice and crisp) and launced... me and the two kids went out, light breeze sunshining (pics later)....

So the boat felt good, eldest had a real good go of crewing, suprised how well he has picked it up.. little-one darted about the boat, touching the water, playing with the sponge, helming, crewing... eldest had a good go at putting the spinny up.. bright red, looks great....wind satayed up, not much but enough to push us along happily, us and a handful of other lucky yachters who stayed around at the club long enough for the best breeze of the day...autumn sailing is great...has that kinda warm glow and then as the sun starts dipping, we headed back home, and the autumn warmth rapidly dissapears, replaced by a good shower, beer and crisps...... boat snug, kids happy and me contented...

Back home after the longest sail me and the kids have had together...all happy, weekend done... countdown to next weekend begun....sunday dinner...sleep....

So, am I happy I've got a Miracle? Yes... am i looking forward to sailing with the kids...yep... was it a good investment, absolutely...

So one last problem that you can all help me with... on the boat certificate theres a blank...it's got no name... its gotta have a name... so suggestions lets have 'em... the kids will choose, or ignore, or come up with their own thoughts....

sailing boat soulsailor