Where only small boats dare
It was a perfect, small-boat sailor´s weather, first time this year. Sunny, moderate wind with gusts of 10-12m/s. I put one reef as a prudent skipper. We launch around 14:30.
It was blowing from South so we head North, towards Rosättra, with no real plan where to sail.
It shall crystalize along the way.
So far there was no proper summer here. Either heavy wind or rain & cold weather. One can see in small harbors that folk waited with their launches.
We sailed fast with the wind. At the North entrance to Vätösund we decide to enter shallow waters of small bays and stony micro-islands.
I would not dare sailing in here on Meritaten or Motoko. But Louve has almost no draft. With raised centerboard - we were on broad reach - she sticks only about 20cm deep!
A bit of Mark Twain landscape in these small bays - these half-floating boat houses always remind me his books.
Out in Björkö fjärden I could see that the wind is stiff: water was dark from gusts, with some white crests forming. We had one reef in the sail - should be good.
Before reaching fjärden we headed out towards another shallow-water world of Vätö-Huvud. It was blowing hard even there - Vätö is low over water at this end so not really shielding anything from Southerly winds.
There, on open water, the wind was blowing much harder. I was happy to put one reef and that I am so heavy myself. Balancing the boat on gusts gave us some thrills but never for a moment did I feel in danger or unstable.
Ilur is a very robust construction and a boat which takes care of you, within reasons, of course.
We were tacking along the fjärden, with the idea to sail into Fiskebyn. Just as a turning point.
With so much sea-room I could test putting Louve adrift.
It turns out to be very easy:
rudder slightly to windward,
centerboard down,
sail slackened a bit.
She stayed at circa 40 degrees to the wind and made calm, slow progress to windward.
Calm and safe. A desired pause for a sandwich, tea with honey and sea-bucket.
After a while we reached height of Fiskebyn. We sailed into the bay, made a tack and headed back North.
On the way back we decided to sail around another tiny island, Skrabban.
I was keeping us away from her North side, to avoid being becalmed. Wind-shadow was plainly seen: calm sector in otherwise dark water around.
Time was up to head back home. I knew that the Southerly wind will prevail for the most part of the evening but that meant tight tacking in Vätösundet. Even on fast, modern sailboat it takes long time. Louve is not exactly speed-daemon, my little.
We were tacking patiently all the way to Rosättra.
It was occasionally blowing strong gusts there, still, so I kept one reef in the sail.
After passing Rosättra, closing to Vätö bridge, the wind was easing out. We shook off the reef and continued beating.
It was a beautiful, sunny evening.
Close to the bridge I decided that I showed enough of my fighting spirit - not that anybody bothers here - and finally started the engine. It was getting late and cold.
My girls made me a surprise and waited for us in the harbor.
It became nicely intensive, six-hour long sailing today! Louve got tackled and went back to her shed - waiting for the next time.