First Time Out of the Slip

The boat was finally ready for a test run to learn more about the leak in the engine’s coolant system. We motored just outside the Bahia, tested the instruments, raised the sails, and when motoring back took some time to practice motoring skills using a mooring buoy.

Notably, we learned the boat speed was not being reported, the halyard for the mainsail needs to have its cable shortened, and the coolant leak is substantial, perhaps leaking a quart. The problem with the halyard prevented us from sailing, which was a moot point as there was no wind (one of the reasons we chose the day to go out). We also discovered the prop walk forces the bow to the starboard when backing out of the slip (will need to figure out a way to control that) and it is almost impossible to turn the stern to the starboard while in reverse.