Saturday 15 October was no different. The weather forecast was for sunny sky with highs in the mid seventies. The wind in the morning from the West at 10 to 15 knots and changing in the afternoon to the Southeast at 10 knots.
At 10 am, I made preparations to get underway. The winds were coming out of the southeast, so there wasn't any issue getting underway. In Oriental, there was the Neuse River Solo racing. So it was a good time for single handed sailing. It sounds like the weather was going to cooperate with winds out of the southeast at 10 to 15 knots and sunshine with high near 75. I just had to stay clear of the races.
As I made the turn in the main channel, I could still see damage from Hurricane Irene. The day marker for Whittaker Creek was damage. Only half of the day marker was standing. The winds been blowing out the Northeast all week, so there was plenty of water in the channel. When I spoke to Dock Master for Whittaker Creek Yacht Club, Captain Dan, the channel marker were not reset after the big storm. I was concern if the main channel had changed. I am happy to report that I did not experience any issue exiting Whittaker Creek Channel.
I was only planning on staying out for a few hours. I was planning on staying clear of the sailboat race. Majority of the vessels in the race were down by board creek, just beyond Adam Creek. When I got to South River, I tack to the starboard and started my tack to Adam Creek. I was sailing the in the irons now and with just the jib up it was nice ride. I tack several times to stay on the South River side on the river. When I got to Adam Creek, I tack to the starboard again to being my runs to Whittaker Point. On my way, I made sure I was out of the way of the races.
When I arrived at Whittaker Point, I tack to the port to head into the wind to roll up my jib to motor home. The wind shift and now was coming out of the West at 18 knots. So adjusted my course appropriately. I was stilling planning on backing her into the slip on my return. But first, I had to bring in the jib. That was when hell broke loose. The furling line attached to the drum of my Sheldon roller furling system broke while rolling the genoa in. The jibsheets were luffing the wind. The first thing I tried was stay into the wind and and try to wrapped the jibsheet around the genoa. I was unsuccessful. So I decided to turn around and try it again on run with the wind behind me, that seem to work. The only problems was about the time I got my genoa wrapped up, I was half way to South River again. When I turn around to head back to Whittaker Point. the genoa became undone heading into the wind.
So the next thing I try was to take down the genoa while underway and then use one of the jibsheet to tie the genoa to bow. I was able to bring the genoa down, but again I had to head toward South River. I finally got the genoa down and wrapped up at the bow. A sign of relief, it only took me one hour to secure the genoa and head back toward Whittaker Creek Yacht Club. As I pulled up to the slip the wind was still coming out the West at 15 knots. Lucky my friend Cathy was there to assist me with dock lines. We were able to secure my boat. Cathy was heading out to a wine tasting event. Maybe I should join her, but I had some clean up to do.
When Cathy returned two hours later, I was finishing up securing the boat and about ready to look at my Sheldon rolling Furling System. I had the spare parts manual and maintenance manual onboard. After inspecting the system, it seem I needed a screw to secure the furling line to the drum. It seem part of the drum was broken but still usable. I was missing the screw label in the spare part manual as B19 8x9,R5. I am not sure what that all meant. it was 1630 and West Marine closes at 1700. I had time to see if they had B-19. When I got to West Marine the clerk stated I would be his last customer for the day, it was 1645. I show him the manual and missing part B-19 and ask if he had a screw that would work. He did not have any metric screws label that way and could not help me. I have five minutes until the Village Hardware closes at 1700. When I arrived I asked the owner of the establishment, Bob, if he had something like B-19. I show him he manual and unfortunate he didn't either. But, he stated any screw should work. It seems that you had to secure the line with the screw. He provided my with an assortment of screws that could do the job, a total of six ranging in size 6 to 10 and length 3/4 to 1/2 inch. Bob stated one of these had to work. I am not sure why I went to West Marine first, Bob at the Village Hardware in Oriental is knowledgeable and resortful. He only charged me 50 cents for the 6 screws. Because the home office for Sheldon is in Sweden, Bob stated that they would probably charge me 6 dollars in shipping for a 50 cent part. My reply was, "I can alway fly to Sweden to pick it up". Bob's comment was "I want to be there when you try to to explain to your wife that you are going to Sweden for a screw?".
Thanks to Cathy, Bob, and Dan for assisting me in fixing my Sweden made Sheldon rollin Furling.
