the repaired rudder

The offending 'ding' can be seen to the rear on the top of the rudder blade.

It is worse this side than far side

I'm beginning to wonder if I caught it accidently on the propeller blade. this shouldn't have happened as I have installed stops either side on the transom which prevent the rudder from reaching too far over towards the outboard. It has never happened in the past but maybe I didn't mount the outboard correctly in its normal position. I will check things over next time we are out just to make sure.

 

 

Next time out will be my 300th hour sailing in Arwen and our 75th trip out together. A milestone worthy of a celebration. I'm hoping to sail up to Calstock at May half term and camp overnight before coming down on the tide. Watch this space for passage planning over the next few weeks.

If it takes 10,000 hours to become 'an expert' in something, then with only 300 hours under our belt Arwen and I are positively amateurs! But the more we do the better we become and that is half the fun isn't it. As long as we don't endanger others.

 

 

In the meantime, two tragedies. My overboard waterproof rucsac has sprung an as yet undetected air leak and so no longer floats. My yellow over the shoulder overboard bag of eight years has finally delaminated and is no longer waterproof either. It has seen sterling service and I have had my money's worth from it. My waterproof rucksac is only three years old though and that is another matter all together!