I also backwind to complete my tack. I tell my crew to keep an eye on the main sail to know when to release the forsail. When the mainsail starts to fill and get power back on the boat, that is when to release the backwinded forsail and reset it to lee side.

I agree that with a sock you will absolutely use the spinnaker more. As for wrapping the bottom when doused....Great idea....had it come open once just as I was coming in to dock ina very stiff wind. Luckily my crew had some experience and I had set it up so either sheet could be thrown off quickly....

Speaking as the owner of an older Mac...I would go for the big engine and slip. From everything I know a slipped boat gets used a heck of a lot more than a trailered unit. You can always upgrade later if you don't like the boat/slip combo.

That could be a new pet name for the Admiral...

Get a spinnaker for the light days.
I have spent many an hour with sinnaker only anywhere from a full run up to slight hauling (slightly more to wind than a beam)

The Admiral has become a virtual professional at watching for wind gusts and either letting out the main (if shes handling it), heading up (if shes helming) or just shouting out a warning (if I'm not paying enough attention). Wind gusts can be seen on the water (if you know what your looking for) in...

I live in Calgary alberta and covered the boat for the first 3 years. Even with it covered, the boat needed a good power wash and wax in the spring. After the tarp started to disintigrate I left it uncovered for a year and found I still had to clean it in the spring. I no longer cover it and don't w...

If its for relative speed on the same heading
I would guess that GPS would be sufficient. Maybe I misunderstood but it seemed that you were looking at what changes resulted in increase or decrease in speed.

I use a cover on my genoa. When I am actively using the boat its uncovered but when I put it away for the winter, or for travelling the cover goes on. Takes about 3 minutes to put it on or take it off. I can use it on any headsail and it will outlast pretty much every head sail I will use. It also k...

Something to think about...
You must repeat the name of your boat three (3) times when calling on the radio.
A long name can be cumbersome.

I like the story of the woman that had her husband name it MINE...she loved that scene in Finding Nemo.

Yes...it would appear that BACON is also final and are not-debatable.

transom on anchor from dinghy

transom on road via stern ladder

transom in driveway via stern ladder

Are you saying the helm seat on an M is 24" further back than on an X? Having been on both many times, I must challenge this assumption. The distance from mast to closed companionway is within mm (inches for you yanks) of being identical so the cabin cannot be 24" longer. I am not able to ...

I concur with the weight forward under power. If we are running hard somewhere the Admiral lays down on the front berth and we usually gain close to a knot. Under sail there are so many other issues, sail trim, swells, idiot captain, current that I am never sure if weight matters much. Its like movi...

Not sure what the "overall larger boat" means as the X and M are essentially the same sized boat?