Inverness 9-2-07

Towed the boat up to Inverness to check out the launch-ramp scene, as I'd never launched from there before. Later this month the TSCA will have their annual Marshall Beach campout, and with the usual ramp at Nick's Cove closed for construction, we'll all have to launch from here.

Interesting ramp -- the Golden Hinde "Inn and Marina", with the emphasis on the Inn -- so the ramp has no turnaround or much in the way of docks to tie up to.

My little dory skiff is a bit over-canvassed with the 100% jib and main, and I foolishly didn't put up my new smaller jib. What I need is a set of reefpoints -- that's a job for this coming winter. Tried going back to my first yoke tiller head with the boathook as a push-pull tiller. Beached her after a few long, wet tacks across Tomales Bay and removed the jib. That created weather helm like only Tidbit and other catboats experience.

After several more windy trips across the bay the end of the yoke cracked off. Jury-rigged the boathook to the other side to make it back, and an exciting downwind rollercoaster ride it was.