Yesterday provided a great day for testing the new roller furling and 130 genny.  Winds were a steady 10-15 mph from the SE.  We took Marlene's Magic out for about five hours, jibing downwind for the first couple of hours and then tacking back toward the marina.  The Furlex performed perfectly.  Going from furled to a full flying genny takes about 10 seconds...and all from the cockpit.  We found that all of the extra sail area really had us cruising along as we hit over six knots several times and averaged about 4.5 - 5 all day.  Few of the other boats on the lake were able to keep pace with us.  I can't wait for next month's regatta !  Maybe its just the new sail but I found the sail shape to be far superior to our previous jib, too.

We've owned our boat for right at nine months now and I finally feel we have her close to where I want her.  In that time we've replaced the old outboard with a new Honda 9.9 four stroke, changed all cleats over to line clutches while running all lines to the cockpit,  replaced 75% of the sheets, halyards and lines, installed a jiffy reef system on the main, installed lazy jacks, installed the roller furling, added an additional winch and relocated another and done countless small tasks like upgrading safety equipment, adding a stereo, rewiring most of the electric system, building a new companionway frame and door, adding a solar charger, rebedding countless deck hardware, refinishing handrails and hatch tracks, etc..  We are finally to a point where most of the repairs and changes left are cosmetic..including a complete paint job for the deck and hull.  A year from now she should look and sail better than new.  Its been a lot of work but I don't regret it one bit!  What better way to spend your spare time than messing with boats !

Thanks to all the list members for advice along the way.  Now, if I could just get her down to the Gulf for a few weeks !

Tony Rodriguez
Marlene's Magic
'73 Cal 27 PT, #255