After launching day, my idea was to move the boat to a new home port. I had decided to start the trip early in the morning, because i want to sail in daylight and in as good weather conditions as possible.
It had also become clear, that the engine could not be used. In the morning , i did find out, that the wind direction was appropriate for us, so we went with friends as a crew to put the boat in to sailing condition.
We got the ropes and equipment in their place, and because we were the first time out in sea at this summer, we were a little more careful and used only Genoa.
We left the pier with a exemplary manners, because wind was light and blowing from right direction. Just when we think, that everything is fine and working, the Helm was jamming. It did work normally just a few moments ago, but now first, jamming and then locked and did not want to move at all.
it start to become a hurry, because the shallow was only tens of seconds away and the helm did not turn left or right. Then, just about in last moment, like a miracle, the rudder turn and start to work, as it have had no issue at all..
We where a bit lucky, when we avoided of going to to the shallow and reeds close the beach. in the moment, blood start to circulate again in my vains, and i could also start to think again. – What in earth made this happen? How this so good working thing got to this condition.. and just after leave the pier? pffhh.. all kind of S..things must happen.
A few leg
The wind was steady from aft and, only sudden gusts made uncomfortable changes to the course. We was sailing anyway very nice, and we open foresail a little more to gain speed for the next leg.
When we where in good position and had a good moment for change the course, the helm did not work at all. We could not make helm to move. Now, with four hands, we got it to turn a little and just that little enough to avoid to sail direct to the land and sand bank. Great!
This issue caused a second problem, that we could not climb enough high to the wind and bypass the big harbor pier, that protect boats on the other side. We must pass this, if we like to get us to the right course and sail to the Helsinki City.
We could not reach the end of the pier with this wind enough early, to keep us on the right course, so we had to let boat drop with the wind and turn back to the starting point. We actually also got idea of trying to go other leg, but this was doomed as well as this other course, so we start to understand, that our problem with engine and rudder was a too big problem to ignore, and we decided to abort our mission.
Our sea adventure ended on this pier. This experiment was what so ever important and educational, but not at the most of top ten sailing mornings. Still at this point, it was a little unclear, why rudder did act this way?
I had to sit down and let the coffee stimulate my nerves a bit. Probably reason for this problem, was air in the system. Unfortunately, i did not check this during fixing the boat, because helm was working just fine on the hard. Now, after this lesson, it was added to check list for sure.
Bleeding Helm
I had to take a short brake with fixing the boat. Midsummer was nice, and i took time to spend it quite traditional way. Good food, time with friends and family.
After these nice days, i was continuing with this interesting problem with rudder. I did buy a fluid for system, because i had no idea, how much i need to add it to system. i come to the boat and i covered the area where i will work, with towels. Procedure is not very difficult; add fluid and move helm until no bubbles. It could be a bigger workload, if i would change all fluid to system. Perhaps i will do it for next season.
This rudder bleeding i could do before i put the boat to the sea, but there was no kind of sign, that boat could have this kind of issue. So, for now on, this will be checked in every season beginning.
Delivery sailing
Last summer i brought West wind from Turku to Espoo in few days. it was very interesting and good way to get to know your boat. This can be found in Finnish language from MP-Veneet site; Here
Last few days i have watched forecaster more intensive and trying to figure out, when it is the most suitable wind for sailing to Helsinki. I need wind from north, but that is not offered for the moment. Common wind is from west. It will work. but in the end i need help with towing, because harbor can be reached by sailing in the end to the west.
I call to my friend Tuomas, that i am trying to sail to Helsinki and i have no engine present. He promised to help me with the last leg with his Sailboat. Melody is nice 20ft Havsfidra, and she is very seaworthy and strong boat.
In the morning, there was a small tensions in the air. i was wondering how the wind could carry us, and how to reach the port in time, before wind is weakening for the evening.
Wind in this morning was mostly from the south – south-east, and turning to the west before evening. There was a small difficulties to get out from the pier, but luckily, we got some help from fellow sailor that pushed us out from the wharf.
After we got West wind out from harbor area, sailing start to be easy and nice. I used only Genoa, because have to do all maneuvers alone and if some issue would come, i could handle it easier.
Sailing was easy, nice and with the wind we had, speed was between 4 and 6 knots. it is enough for boat like West wind is. She is a 27 foot long and waterline is 6.80 meters.
We was sailing line just before open sea, and it was a good choice. The wind was more steady and still waves was not so big. Sailing is more easy than more inner lane.
The wind was slowly calm down and speed too. At this moment, speed was
momentarily even below 2 knots, but mostly about 3 knots.
Finally, after long sailing from Helsinki city center region, boat was reaching Villinki isle. From this point is not long way to turn back against the wind. Wind was a quite light, so i call to my friend, and ask for towing.
After a phone call, i was sailing to the 2.4m route, and for some reason, i just continued that line and sail behind the Iso Villasaari. Tuomas was coming from the other side to meet us. There was a some moment, that we did not really know, where he or we where, so i turned around and took sails in. After short look-out we finally found our self.
Pier
Towing was easy. Tuomas did bring help with other boat, Arctis. She is also Havsfidra and installed with 20hp diesel engine. With that power, West wind followed as air behind her.
After half hour towing, we come to the harbor. Sarvasto is a safe from wind and wave and it is not very far from good sailing environments. We come with nice speed close to own place. Perhaps a little too much speed, because i had to leave the helm and jump to the pier and stop the boat with hands. Over 3000 moving kilos is not light.. Not even in the water.
Sailing was interesting and there was no real problem during the sailing. It took about 7 hour, because wind dropped down and weather was very light
The weather in port Sarvasto was calm and warm. Very nice evening indeed.
Thank you for Tuomas and S/y Arctis for help with sailing to Sarvasto.
Sailing West wind 