Windhorse Sailing

Things are looking good from here. We sailed her last night in 40 knot winds with 30 percent of the genoa headsail out. We reached a speed of 6.5 knots. Not too bad. And she was so steady, no rocking , she barely healed over. The reason we took her out was to transfer from the Elliot Basin down to the Royal Cape Yacht Cub in preparation for the haul out on Monday. A nice little sail and a much better address.

Preparing to set sail for our new location.

As we pulled into the marina, other cruisers at the guest docks came out to welcome us and catch our dock lines. As it turns out Francis knows some of them from the ocean academy, a couple of Americans, Josh and Ryan. They were just cooking up a pot of pasta and invited us to join. Then their friend, Piero comes up with a box of wine. ( Don’t be a snob, box wine travels better and the buzz is just as good). Things are pretty nice at the Royal Cape. A great dinner and early to bed. A lot of work still to do.

On our way to the Royal Cape Yacht Club.

The next morning I jumped up on deck to another sunny day. I started sanding the rails in preparation for priming and painting. After an hour or so Piero came looking for an extra hand for fixing his staysail furler. I felt like telling him to go jump, I’m busy, but in the colleagial spirit of cruising I went over to help. Good move.

Piero is an Italian, 68 years old in his third year of cicumnavigating. We fixed the furler and he invited me in for tea. His 53 foot wood hull is 14 feet wide. It was bigger than my New York apartment. It was like sitting in an oil tanker. The fore cabin has a motorcycle on one side and a wood shop on the other. He builds whatever he needs.

Piero in his boat, the Quo Vadis.

We sat down for tea and he started telling me about his trip. He showed me his route from Greece to the Straits of Magellan to Australia and to South Africa. Fascinating stories, all of them, and valuable commentary.

Back to my sanding.