I sailed today in Dorchester Bay

My son sailing with the new sail from a Hobie 18

Corita's paint job on the old Boston Gass tank

I sailed this afternoon (Friday,11 August, 2006). I tossed in Sunday too, but I didn't get any pictures and I didn't go far. Today was my second sea trial. After Sunday I made a few minor changes and today I was happy with my new tiller and the daggerboard, but I need to rig a bungie cord to keep it from floating up and I need to cut the top to clear the cabin doors.

The launch ramp is really just a gravelly beach. U/Mass Boston in back

After launch I toss an anchor out and park the old Mazda I tow with. This launch requires a bit of wading. I don't want to use this spot when it gets cooler, but it's the closest free launch ramp to my home.

Under sail headding out by U/Mass (still using polytarp sail)

I got complacent and sailed aground to the north of the mooring area. It never occured to me that there were mud flats this close to moorings and a Channel. I pulled the daggerboard and rudder, put the bottom pintel of the rudder into the top gudgeon and turned around to sail right back where I came from. It was good that I was close haulled on the way into the mud flat because I could run back out without the daggerboard and still maintain some pretty decent control.
When I turned to run out of the shallows I saw a small daysailer aground not far behind me. I said that I didn't know where I was going. I was afraid that the other boat ventured over thinking that If I could sail there it must be alright. When I got back through the moorings and into the channel, I saw the daysailer being towed out by an inflatable outboard like an Avon or Zodiac.

headding back in looking at the gas tank from off U/Mass