The Little Red Boat

Ever since we got back to Colorado Keith has been watching Craigslist for a new boat.  Not because we don't have one here, we have a Laser and a few El Toros, but mainly it's something fun for him to do.  He would point out a boat to me and I would nod my head and say "That's Nice" while in my head thinking "we have more then enough boats!".  Then he pointed out this cute little red boat to me and I was finally intrigued, what can I say...I'm a sucker for red!  Turns out the boat was a Daysailor, which we have owned in the past and loved for a family lake boat because it has a large comfortable cockpit.  Keith and I drove down the same day to check it out and became the proud owners of boat number six (if you count dinghies and all).

Immediately Keith started to work on fixing up issues with the boat, it was built in the 60's and though it was originally race rigged and kept in pristine condition, it seems it fell into disuse these past few years.  We put together our list of items we needed, new blocks, new shackles, new line and started to clean up what we could with the spare parts we already have around the house (scary how much that is!).  Keith and I decided to step the mast and rig the boat to make sure she had all the parts needed to hit the lake - vs finding out once already there.  First time trying to step the mast and the mast step breaks due to corrosion, luckily the mast is pretty light and nobody gets hurt....so off Keith goes online to order a replacement.  The one thing I love about small boats is the price for replacement parts.  For Steadfast, a broken item means a thousand dollars or more....for the Daysailor it's less then the price of a family meal! After a few weeks of dinking we were ready to take her out for her maiden voyage.

We dropped the boat in the water and amazingly it didn't take on water or have any other hidden nightmares that old boats can have.  She was dry and her centerboard easily dropped into place.  With sails up and kids on board we were off and going within just a few minutes.

One thing this boat came with that our previous DS did not have was a nice spinnaker, red of course.  The majority of my small boat sailing has been aboard a Hobie and we didn't really need the spinnaker for speed, especially on the ocean where we'd be more likely to stuff the back of a wave, so I have not had much experience.   Keith has been having fun teaching me how to use it and fortunately the wind has been very light so I've had some time to get acclimated to all the additional lines, blocks and rigging required for it.

Just like all boats there is always more work to be done, but it's fun work.   There are some repairs to the glass - ie fixing the patches that have been done previously and we need to add the foot straps back.  Someone took them out but with just Keith and I sailing we need the extra leverage....and it's so much fun hanging off the side!  All told I'm pretty happy about this new addition to the family.  Now we just need to come up with a name for her....

Sailing at Union Reservoir

Spinnaker with the Rocky Mountains in the background

Looking for puffs on the water

Little guys hang'n on the bow