New sails from San Juan Canvas make Bella Darya really sail faster and easier. Having the forsail boom -footed makes tacking much easier. I’m preparing to take the boat to Port Townsend for the Wooden-Boat Festival. I’m also preparing to take the 18′ skiff I built this winter. I will post more pictures as the trip progresses.
I finally have custom sails for the big boat, made by Peter and Susan Risser of San Juan Canvas. The boat’s performance is greatly improved, with better pointing to windward and better speed relative to heel angle. She trims nicely, with moderate weather helm. In a steady breeze she sails herself nicely with the tiller tied down. I just went for a short sail this evening, with a stiff breeze (15-20 knts), and I never felt the need to reef, with heel angles below 30 degrees.
Most of my energy this summer has been devoted to remodelling the house that Trudes bought last winter. We gutted it and now we’re putting it all back. I am looking forward to a fall trip in the boat, up to Port Townsend for the Wooden Boat Show and around there.