Sailing ... Finally!

Two months and eight days later, we go sailing! Having launched on 02 April 2010, yesterday we finally did what we're supposed to do and put wind in the sails. Nature cooperated with a light westerly that gently ruffled the waters on the Toms River and Barnegat Bay, and I was able to check out the new mainsail under sail. It looked fine and performed well in light air conditions, thanks to the efforts of Judy and Skip at Moorhouse Sails (http://www.mhsails.com/). Other systems also performed well and this first sail of the season was encouraging. Yet, boats being boats, this is hardly the time to lower one's guard.

When I step back and click on "pause" it becomes clear that even a simple daysail on local waters is a small miracle that only happens when many different people contribute to the effort. The list of individuals who gently nudged Kerry Deare along yesterday includes local boatyards, the sailmaker, many suppliers, the "Feds" (charts come from somewhere), and many friends and family members. I may be sailing solo but they're always on board.

Photo by Sherri deRouville of deRouville's Boat Shop (http://www.derouvillesboatshop.com/).