Welcome S/V Kat Boat

S/V Kat Boat. Big Arm State Park, Flathead Lake, Montana

 With a christening party planned for two weeks out, it was time for sea trials. Up to this point I have done everything I know how to do to make the boat ready. Chased down minor but important issues. Made it a properly legal boat in the state. Read everything I could on catboats and sailing them. Until there was nothing left but to load the boat onto the trailer and head north. We arrived on time, 0930 just in time for my friend and co-worker Josh to show up. We rigged the boat in about fifteen minutes and made our way down to the docks. And there to greet us was Jim and the S/V Desdemona, as well as a Missoula built fiberglass sailboat. The glass boat was hauled out because the slip they were renting was too shallow for the full keel boat. Thankfully not an issue the two Michalak designed boats had. We slipped her into the water and I parked the car.
 I walked back to see the prettiest boat I think I've laid eyes on floating next to the dock. Now the Lido was pretty but in my eyes nothing compares to this little catboat. A true pocket yacht. The first test of any new boat is simply getting aboard. As I stepped down onto the side locker an into the boat my first feeling was of astonishment. I looked up at those assembled and commented how stable she was. And the leeboard was up! For the last five year or so getting into a boat meant scrambling to get the centerboard down to make simply moving about as stable as possible. And here I stood, on the side of this craft, the major point of balance not in play and she didn't even feel my weight. Well maybe a little.
 Rig up, crew aboard, give a push. And we were off. Not quite drifting but not quite sailing yet. But the eastern wind shadow is predictable and then it happened. A simple, gentle puff. The sail filled and we were off. A wooden boat has a certain sound when sailing. And it's truly music to the ears. Just a touch of heel and we drove across the wind. Easy on the helm, sheet tight and we were off. Sailing.

Full and by

See how the mainsail sets.

Desdemona astern and catching up rapidly.

 We could not have asked for nicer conditions. The breeze was just right, three or so, the water calm. I kicked my feet up, turned the helm over and just enjoyed the boat. It was truly everything I had wanted when I made the first choice to build it. The cabin was just the right size. The cockpit large and roomy. The rig easy to handle. A boat you could sail in for hours, anchor up, sleep, wake up and do it again.

Josh was rated Ordinary Seaman during this trip.

Always better sailing with friends.

The Lady enjoying her cabin.

 As so often happens these days the messing about turned into circumnavigating Melita Island. We new rain was in the forecast and the grey clouds to the north suggested more interesting weather ahead. We pulled in the first reef and headed for Melita Pass. I should note that that The Lady and I had practiced this drill on the hard several times. And it sure paid off this trip. We ended up reefing and shaking out reefs several times this trip. And the understanding and foresight paid dividends. As we rounded the island the winds kicked up. Steady five gusting to fifteen. A classic Flathead Lake snotter, lasts about twenty minutes and makes you wonder why you went sailing in a small boat. We ended up with sails down safe in the lazy jacks and bobbed about, while the rain came down and the winds piped up. And then just like that is was over. Sails up again we continued west.

Melita Island. Notice the change in sky color.

Desdemona is moving in this picture.

 And then we were becalmed. Josh began rowing. And then just like that, hard winds once more. Steady eight. We saw 4.5kts sustained on our GPS app. The reefed sail was full and the boat rode like a dump truck. Going throught the seas, rather then over them. A draft horse instead of a thoroughbred. Thump. Thump. Thump as our flat bottom made contact with each wave.
 We made it back to the dock, where we let off Josh and brought Dan aboard. Once more out into the winds. Back and forth. Always exhilarating but never feeling truly in danger. The boat solid and dependable. It was a sea trial in more ways then one. And when it was all over, the boat was truly ours. She had meet the mighty Flathead and come away with confidence and understanding. This is our boat. Welcome to S/V Kat Boat. Flagship of the Inland Packet and Navigation Company. We have a great future ahead.

Lost and retrieved my lucky hat. We aced the hat overboard drill.