Sailing on Inland Seas: May 2017 Heron Siege

Monday, May 08, 2017

May 2017 Heron Siege

View from the Bow of S/V Desdemona (Photo by Emeldir)

The WMSBA season has started and the first Siege is in the books for 2017. On May 6th, The sailing vessels Lazy Shamrock and Desdemona hit the waters of Big Arm Bay for a few glorious hours of sailing. And to think it all started with misplacing a sail.
The original plan was to bring the Lido 14 up along with the Piccup but we were unable to locate the sails for the Lido. Not quite sure how that happened but it did. So the Piccup was the star of the show this time. With us was Emeldir, my page in that other hobby I have, and Kat as well. She consented to come with me as The Typesetter was up north this day.
The drive up was easy and we were in the water only a few minutes late, catching Jim and the Desdemona just as they were about to cast off. It's a very interesting comparison between the two boats as a Piccup and a Mikesboat, both Jim Michalak designs, are related. Piccup is 11' and designed first with Mikesboat for all intents and purposes a stretched and beefed up Piccup at 17'. We got the boats wet and headed out in very light winds.

My view for most of the day.

This was the Lazy Shamrock's first big outing. I've been in smaller bodies of water but always felt like Flathead would provide a better testing ground. I'm pleased to say that the boat performs well on all points of sail, has no obvious handling vices and has quite a turn of speed without undue heeling. A very well designed boat. There are some ergonomic things that need attention and the rudder and stock need to be rebuilt but I have a very nice boat. If not the fastest one. I can see why the designer added a larger sail to the plan. Even in stronger winds the original sail size must have made for long voyages.

Tiller is much to high. (Emeldir)

Captain and crew of Desdemona.

Desdemona looking fine astern.

After about an hour or so the wind died down. As in dead calm. We could see wind further out in the bay but where we sat there was nothing. Finally after thirty minutes or so I took a tow from the Mikesboat and we motored back to the dock. And as expected as soon as our lines were made fast to the hard, the wind kicked up. So we decided to go out again. Kat ended up at the helm of Desdemona and this time I took Emeldir as Lazy Shamrock's first passenger. I'm pleased to report the addition of ballast only makes the boat perform better. But with the wind up a touch the unpleasantness of the cockpit as it currently stands is really driven home. It was not near as comfortable as the earlier sail for myself. Looking to the west the clouds that had been threatening all day were gathering. The wind became very erratic and changed direction frequently. So it was time to call it a day.
It was a good day. I'm pleased I fulfilled the mission of WMSBA to get people exposed to sailing small boats. And that the Piccup performed to all expectations. Our next gathering is slated for July 1st but I'm certain we'll be out again before then.