Since Crew Dog already took 777, I will take 787, which is the "Next Big Thing" about to come off the production line at Boeing. Delta is rumored to be buying some so I might get to fly it someday.

I had a great time out there today on Lake Jackson. Wind was good, 15-19 with peak gusts to 22 according to the local airport wind reader. I didn't rig the jib as I was solo. I did use the spinnaker, had a great ride all around, upwind and down. Nearly lost it on one gybe but managed to hold it down, with only one bow going way deep! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

I was out for an hour from 11-12, came in for lunch, went back out from 1-3. Now I'm quite sunburned, my hands are sore and my long unused shoulder muscles are aching, but it was a good time.

I put my Garmin Etrex Legend in the halyard pocket, it showed a max speed of 21.8 mph (sorry, forgot to switch it to Knots) and I could have gone faster but I was trying to take it easy as I am just learning how much is too much.

I only had the boards down about 12-18 inches for two reasons.

1. The lake is very low and I didn't want to hit bottom at speed and break something expensive.

2. With that much wind I didn't want to sky the hull with every puff.

I was not racing obviously so pointing was not an issue. I had the traveler down about 6" going upwind, and out to the tramp footstraps going downwind under spin. I have not yet added the footstraps as I didn't want to waste practice time doing boat work. As soon as I can I will add them, they are sitting here in a bag!

It's a nice smooth ride in the chop though. I love the way it slices through the waves going upwind.

My neighbor had to come over and have a look, even he could tell it was a "Racing Boat". He's seen me out on the Prindle many times and never came over before. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

So, Robie, Pete, Terry, Seth, Matt, Chuck, and all you other Florida F16 guys, when are you coming to Sebring again? I am trying to work out getting to JPOR but it doesn't look very good right now, I'm working on Sunday and the wife has a list of things that somehow only I can do, on Saturday and Friday. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I plan on going to Gulfport as much as possible given the job and the family demands. Of course you are all welcome here any time. I will be back out there tomorrow afternoon, I have wife stuff to do in the morning.

Oh, and unless my kid takes pictures, you won't see any, I can't sail and take pictures at the same time, never mind the drowned camera. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />