This morning, with rain forecast all day, I decided I might as well spend the time to wire up the new autopilot. A piece of cake, except that I wanted a disconnect mounted into the pedestal in case I decide to remove it for racing. Out come the big bits, a rotary file, and a 4-40 tap. I had a few other boat-things to do and with the "rain-excuse" I figured to postpone my regularly scheduled means of making a living.

The harbor was sunny and warm all morning, though dark clouds were pouring over the mountain passes, and occasional patches of clear showed snow on the crests. It was gorgeous.

After successfully installing and wiring things up to my satisfaction I couldn't resist a quick motor run around the harbor for a test. Once out of the slip, why not take a few extra minutes and run her out the harbor mouth for a better test under power?

Hmmmmmm. Power works well, let's try a sail. One thing led to another and out comes the Genoa in brilliant sunshine, 10-12 knots of wind and a black cloud dropping hail and snow on the mountains. Where's the digicam when you need it?

The new wheelpilot is whisper quiet, and we did a couple of close reaches in the 5 3/4 knot range with just the Genoa rolled out.

Santa Barbara sits in a Northwesterly wind and swell shadow, but a few miles out, you can see it blowing a fresh breeze. With Santa Cruz Island showing crystal clear on your bow, it's damned hard to head up, tack and start back in.

Promises having been made for after lunch (I do have a lovely wife, after all) I did the right thing and ran close hauled right into the harbor, fired up the diesel and motored Missy back to the dock, hosed down and on the way to the parking lot in an hour and twenty five minutes.

Stress gone. Island fever worse than ever. David

________________________________
David Wilkie Owen
Cal 2-29 "Missy" Santa Barbara, CA
http://www.101freeway.com/users/wilkiespage