[Public-List] An Open Sailing Invitation

[R Kirk]

God's Country. I won't be getting down there anymore, but it makes me nostalgic for the area. I'm an old Slidell hand. I will say, though, that the sailing is much better here in the beautiful Chesapeake than boring, landlocked, shallow Ponchartrain. 
Thanks for the offer and people should love to see your rig. Good Sailing.
Bob Kirk, ex Isobar 181


-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Swords via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
To: public-list at lists.alberg30.org <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
Cc: Daniel Swords <danielswords at yahoo.com>
Sent: Tue, Jan 10, 2023 2:48 pm
Subject: [Public-List] An Open Sailing Invitation

Hi to all,    I live aboard my Alberg 30 “Solitude” (Hull No. 525) on Bayou Castine in Mandeville, Louisiana (about an hours drive directly north from New Orleans) and I sail almost daily on Lake Pontchartrain. This is an open invitation for any sailors to come for a daysail if you are ever in this area. I would enjoy the opportunity to demonstrate some of the non-racing systems I have implemented for singlehanded sailing, daysailing and for live aboard comfort on my boat.     I present this invitation because I once read and believe it is true, that sailors should take every opportunity to step aboard others boats to see how they are set-up and rigged. At worst you might have a laugh when you discover some things you think only an idiot would do. At best you might discover some things that would be very useful on your own boat. And at least, you might see some things that give you ideas for your own even better improvements.     I am not a good enough writer to adequately describe these systems and I believe they will be of little interest unless witnessed. Plus, after several years struggling to self-learn sheet-to-tiller steering, I believe that a few hours of hands-on experience is worth a several years of trial and error efforts.     A partial list of my rigging solutions for problems that sometimes confronted me as a singlehanded live aboard sailor includes:    • A preventer that keeps the jib sheets from ever catching on the forward hatch or any mast hardware when tackling.     • Elimination of my boats weather helm. I can now sail with three fingers on the tiller and the tiller never more than 10° to windward in all wind conditions up to and including Force 6.     • Refinement of my sheet-to-tiller steering systems such that my boat is self-steering to the apparent wind on all tacks in winds from 5 to 22 knots. It is fully self-recovering from any heading upsets caused by significant changes in wind direction or strength. I believe my system will rival any wind vane steering system for daysailing and coastal cruising. It requires no holes drilled in the deck or hull, and with the exception of about 12 feet of speargun elastic tubing, it can be assembled with parts many sailors will likely have in their spare parts bin. I am hand steering less than 20% of the time, and with the exceptions of entering and leaving a harbor, only when I enjoy doing so. Not being a slave to the tiller, without the expense and complications of a wind vane or autopilot, has greatly increased the amount of time I spend sailing and the distances I travel.     • Refinement of my boats hove-to performance, my choice when I get caught out in afternoon thunderstorms. I can quickly reduce sail, hove-to and retreat inside the cabin, secure that my boat will neither tack or jibe and will point at a comfortable angle into the wind and waves (versus lying ahull and uncomfortably rolling) while also fore reaching slowly off a Lee shore or obstacle.     Full disclosure caveats: I do not race and my boat has a tiller and a 100% roller furling working jib so others may have no interest in any of this (but you could still enjoy a pleasant sail). Without an overlapping genoa I have likely lost some boat speed in some conditions. However, my boat obtains and maintains steerage way as well as ever, singlehanded short tacking is simple and rarely requires wincing, and any speed loss is mitigated by having a neutral rudder and the ability to point higher because the jib trims inside of the spreaders and cap shrouds.     Gordon Laco once came for a sail and I am very thankful for that. Unfortunately, at the time most of my “improvements” were still in the very early “needs refinement” stage and it was one of the worst days ever for sailing on Lake Pontchartrain. I can’t guarantee the sailing weather (though more days are good than not) but I will treat anyone who takes this opportunity to an enjoyable Louisiana seafood dinner. This invitation is standing until further notice so please text me at (504) 234-9011 at any time if you are ever interested. 
Daniel SwordsPrieto Marina, Slip 104Mandeville, Louisiana 


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