Paul, Thanks for the detailed response your rambling was just what I needed.
I popped down to my local habour yesterday, but was single handed and the tide was right in (so no beach just rocks). I would normally get the boat off the trailer on the slip, then push her around to the beach, then take the car back, then set sail. I thought of launching inside the habour, then rowing out, but without a beach I was going to have to set sail in the water. I ended up, for the second weekend in a row going home with a dry boat. Frustrating and a little bit embarassing!!
I have seen pictures (probably not a Storm 15 though) where the mainsail and boom were folded up on the mast using bungees (is this a habor furl???) Would it be possible to do this before leaving the beach, row out then release the bungess and voila?
I'm going to give it a try when I have a wetsuit on and some friends around to help.
There is another beach not so far away which has beach, whatever the tide so I'm going there this weekend and I won't be coming back with a dry boat.
As for sailing of the beach, I've always been able to do it, although I haven't faced a serious swell yet, or strong winds. It's just it was always so undignified I assumed I was doing the wrong thing. From now on I won't worry what the girls in bikinis think of my departure!!
I know what you mean about extra people being balast, We sailed with three adults and three kids and it flew along in a very light wind. I just need some more crew (if anyone in west wales is interested (Llanelli area))
With the reef, I didn't even drill the second hole in the mast till after I hade been out a few times (I didn't think it was that important
) Since then I have almost always sailed with a reef in.
You say the boat is more balance with a jib, what does that mean? I have only used mine once, I had assumed that less sail was safer for a numpty like me.
With the anchor, if you can't drop / raise the sails at sea, what do you use the anchor for? I had visions of sailing out , dropping the sail, catching a 10lbs sea bass, raising the sail and coming home with my prize???
Nice to know you have never capsized, my brother and his friend both fell out of my boat in a foot of water as they went side on to an incoming wave, it was very funny. I'm hoping to sail with somone who can take the boat to it's limit so that I know where that limit is.
I'm possibly a bit to cautious and intense, but I want to take my kids sailing with me and I want them to love it, If I'm not in control, they'll know it and I wouldn't want them to be scared or more importantly put off for life.
Thanks again for the advice and photos. I will be buying a anchor, & faileads and possibly copying your fancy jib furler, but I think I need to get the basics right first.
Gareth
The Jolly Roger